Financial

Embedded Finance, AI, and Open Banking

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Luc Hovhannessian, Chief Revenue Officer, Treasury & Capital Markets at Finastra

Finastra is driving growth in Treasury & Capital Markets by enabling financial institutions to modernize through cloud-first, open finance solutions. With innovations in AI, ESG-driven finance, and embedded banking, Finastra is shaping the future of financial services, enhancing efficiency, automation, and decision-making.

In which sectors is Finastra experiencing the most significant growth in its client base, and how are you expanding your outreach efforts?

Finastra is witnessing significant growth across our business, and I am seeing this first hand within our Treasury & Capital Markets business unit. A big driving factor is financial institutions recognize that to thrive in today’s environment filled with macroeconomic volatility, regulatory shifts and demands for operational efficiency, they must prioritize modernization and automation, as well as real-time risk management, liquidity forecasting and decision-making. Cloud-first, open, and scalable technology is helping them stay ahead in an unpredictable financial landscape.

Bank treasurers, for example, understand the need for real-time treasury and advanced trading capabilities to navigate today’s challenges and capture the opportunities. With Finastra Kondor, our leading bank treasury management solution, we are enabling institutions to trade high volumes of treasury, complex derivatives and structured products, providing risk analytics and real-time position management. To further support our customers on this journey, we have evolved our solution through enhanced workspaces and workflows to drive greater efficiencies and streamline the decision-making process for banks. We are also leveraging microservices, AI and partner ecosystems to deliver intuitive and persona-based experiences, as well as Treasury as a Service (TaaS) and cloud capabilities.

Additionally, we have numerous customers that have implemented Opics, our simplified, integrated core treasury solution. The solution ensures institutions can adopt cost-effective treasury operations while increasing their revenue, improving customer service and staying compliant.

The capital markets space is another promising area, as firms seek scalable, efficient platforms. With Summit, backed by over 25 years of industry expertise, we’re helping institutions streamline trading, improve straight-through processing (STP), and reduce time to market, making operations more efficient and cost-effective.

Finally, we are seeing strong growth from the investment management industry, particularly as insurance companies and pension funds expand to the point of needing a robust technology system. Fusion Invest provides real-time portfolio insights, advanced analytics, and automated investment processes through an Investment Book of Records (IBOR). With comprehensive asset class coverage and cloud-enabled deployment, we’re giving institutions the flexibility to manage risk and align with strategic goals.

We are continuing to embrace the growth opportunities in the treasury and capital markets industries by providing ongoing engagement and support for our existing customers, some of whom who have used our solutions for many years. We are using our successes and learnings to engage new customers, and we have some exciting projects on the horizon.

How is Finastra leveraging the potential of open finance, and what does the future of open finance look like from your perspective?

The treasury and capital markets industries are evolving rapidly, with financial institutions seeking greater efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Finastra has long championed an open financial landscape, supporting some of the world’s largest banks and investment firms with solutions designed for automation, real-time decision-making, and seamless collaboration.

For example, in treasury trading, banks must optimize operations and integrate with market services to create a stable financial ecosystem. This allows them to respond quickly to regulatory changes and promote growth in global and local markets. Our open solutions enable seamless, real-time integration by leveraging REST APIs, allowing interactive, two-way integration with external applications, meaning banks can innovate and adapt to market changes rapidly.

Institutions require solutions that optimize the trading of high-quality liquid assets and enable cost-effective treasury operations from front to back. Our open solutions address these challenges and facilitate collaboration across the financial ecosystem. By offering advanced systems for secure data processing and analysis, they allow banks to utilize their data more effectively for decision-making. Additionally, these platforms address bias through analytics, training, and automated decision-making tools, while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Similarly, robust capital markets platforms that are open by design support investment banks with trade validations, portfolio management, and real-time pricing. Finastra’s front-to-back solutions aid debt raising and risk management for institutions to drive growth and foster societal change.

Capital markets face challenges like slow trade validations, complex risk management for development banks, adapting to new technologies, and supporting diverse financial products. We’re solving these challenges by offering agile solutions that speed up trade validations and provide robust risk management solutions. Open architecture allows for easy integration and promotes innovation, while real-time tools and specialized solutions can improve portfolio management and the handling of various financial products.

The future of Open Finance lies in greater data-sharing, stronger partnerships, and scalable innovation. As financial institutions embrace cloud-driven ecosystems, the ability to integrate, collaborate, and innovate will define long-term success.

Can you elaborate on your software solutions and how they contribute to supporting green finance? Is the shift toward sustainable finance becoming a tangible reality?

Sustainable, inclusive and responsible finance is moving from ambition to reality as institutions embed ESG principles into their operations. Demand for green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and ESG-driven investments is rising, and technology is at the heart of this transition. Finastra offers a variety of solutions to support this, including Finastra ESG Service offered within our Lending business unit. The cloud-native, open and scalable solution facilitates the integration of ESG performance criteria into risk and pricing to deliver a better experience for sustainability-linked loans and bonds.

In the treasury and capital markets space, as institutions integrate ESG factors into decision-making, investors can achieve financial returns while contributing to positive societal and environmental outcomes. The demand for ESG-focused investments is growing, with institutional investors like pension funds and insurance companies incorporating ESG criteria to meet stakeholder expectations. Investors use ESG criteria to identify risks affecting long-term performance, such as regulatory fines for poor environmental practices or the reduced likelihood of scandals due to strong governance.

With real-time treasury and trading solutions, banks can access more accurate forecasting and risk management capabilities, while enabling faster decision-making and greater agility to navigate any complexities. Additionally, our Fusion Invest solution is integrated with ESG data to help asset managers make more informed decisions about their portfolios in line with specific values.

Cloud-enabled ecosystems, such as Finastra’s, further support the adoption of sustainable finance. Powered by Open Finance, these ecosystems foster seamless collaboration and partnerships to drive innovation and positive societal change. By integrating third party applications that provide, for example, sustainable datasets or seamless compliance with disclosure requirements, banks can embrace the opportunities of ESG while mitigating potential risks.

Finally, as Generative AI (Gen AI) brings new opportunities for green finance. By analysing vast amounts of historical and real-time data, Gen AI can help firms assess market sentiment, track policy changes, and identify ESG-aligned opportunities. At Finastra, we are investing heavily in Gen AI across our operations and within our products and are excited about what the future has in store.

Embedded finance is a buzzword across the financial landscape—can you explain its significance and the role generative AI plays in shaping its evolution?

Embedded finance gained popularity because of the way it seeks to transform the end user experience. By integrating banking capabilities directly into non-financial platforms, payments, lending, investment and banking services can become more intuitive and accessible. It’s about putting the end user’s needs first, and building products and services around that, to be consumed how and when they want them. Our Treasury & Capital Markets solutions can be easily connected with an end user’s platform, enabling businesses to offer investment opportunities directly to end clients.

In a similar vein, Gen AI is making a significant impact due to its transformative potential in enriching user experiences. By enhancing employee productivity, it can free up time to focus on more value-added, customer-facing tasks. With large language models and AI assistants, information can be accessed at our fingertips to support faster and potentially more informed decisions. For example, a trader could request a summary of all FX spot trades issued that day and run APIs to automate tasks such as booking trades and calculating risk measures.

Market volatility is accelerating this demand. Institutions must react quickly to economic shifts, regulatory changes, and shifting demands. Gen AI can ingest large volumes of historical and real-time data—from central bank policies to social sentiment—to generate precise risk assessments and liquidity insights. These capabilities are particularly valuable for instant investment decisions, automated trading, and dynamic pricing models.

However, Gen AI’s adoption also comes with challenges. Data quality, governance, and regulatory compliance are critical to ensuring AI models remain transparent and reliable. Financial institutions must continuously refine robust measures and processes to maintain trust and accountability.

How is Finastra supporting financial organizations with cloud services, and what innovations can we expect in this space?

Cloud technology is at the heart of modernization strategies, enabling institutions to reduce costs, increase agility, and accelerate time to market. We are helping banks and investment firms adopt our scalable, cloud-based solutions to improve operations, strengthen risk management, and adapt to shifting market conditions. Additionally, as regulations continue to evolve and become more stringent, cloud-based solutions provided the necessary agility for institutions to quickly comply.

Modernization is about more than just migrating to the cloud. By offering managed services in collaboration with our partners, such as DXC Luxoft and RightClick Solutions, banks gain additional benefits in terms of operational efficiency and maintenance support. We are also helping our customers adopt microservices-based architecture, enabling them to select and integrate the specific functionalities they need, while minimizing the risks of large-scale legacy migrations.

As our solutions are API-enabled, this further enhances adaptability by enabling seamless connections of banking systems with fintech innovations and external data sources. With cloud-enabled, Open Finance ecosystems combined with technological innovations such as Gen AI, we can expect a lot more collaboration and innovation to come, which ultimately can provide better end-user outcomes.

Financial

BITCOIN STRUGGLES TO BREAK $74,000 RESISTANCE AS ETF INFLOWS RISE

Published

6 days ago

March 17, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Bitcoin edged higher last week, gaining 11%, yet it continues to struggle to convincingly break through the $74,000 resistance level, according to Simon Peters, crypto analyst at eToro.

US bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $763 million in net inflows over the past week, helping to push prices higher. Strategy, the largest bitcoin treasury company by total holdings, also disclosed another significant purchase of 17,994 bitcoin for approximately $1.28 billion.

Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve meeting this week could prove pivotal in determining whether bitcoin breaks above the $74,000 level or experiences a correction. While markets had previously anticipated a dovish pivot, a sudden spike in oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may prompt the Fed to reconsider its outlook.

“The consensus is for the Fed to hold rates on Wednesday, but if Chairman Powell signals in his press conference that the central bank is prepared to raise rates should oil prices remain elevated or continue rising, this could trigger a sell-off in cryptoasset prices,” said Peters.

The meeting will also see the release of the Federal Reserve’s latest “dot plot”, offering insights into where each Federal Open Market Committee participant believes interest rates should be by the end of the year, next year and over the longer term.

AI tokens surge amid Nvidia comments

Among the biggest movers in the crypto market over the past week were AI-related tokens TAO and FET, both rising 47% as investors rotated into the sector following bullish remarks about artificial intelligence by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Ahead of Nvidia’s GTC AI conference this week, Huang described AI as “essential infrastructure”, stating that every company and nation will build and use it.

These comments have renewed interest in on-chain, decentralised AI networks, pushing tokens such as TAO and FET higher.

Mastercard launches crypto partner program

Mastercard has launched its Mastercard Crypto Partner Program, a new global initiative bringing together more than 85 companies across the crypto ecosystem, including exchanges, stablecoin issuers and blockchain development teams.

The program aims to foster dialogue and collaboration as the crypto sector continues to mature. Participants will work with Mastercard teams to combine the speed and programmability of blockchain technology with Mastercard’s merchant network spanning more than 210 countries.

The initiative builds on Mastercard’s existing digital asset activities, including its Start Path blockchain track, Engage platform and Crypto Card program.

Bitcoin reaches 20 million supply milestone

Bitcoin reached a historic milestone last week when the 20 millionth bitcoin was mined, marking the issuance of more than 95% of the cryptocurrency’s total capped supply of 21 million coins.

The milestone was reached on 10 March at block height 931200, 17 years after the network first launched. Due to Bitcoin’s halving schedule, the remaining one million coins are expected to take approximately another 114 years to be mined, with the final bitcoin projected to enter circulation around the year 2140.

Crossing the 20 million milestone again highlights Bitcoin’s scarcity dynamics. With demand continuing to outpace the new supply issued daily by miners and many holders unwilling to sell at current prices, the market could be positioned for a significant move higher over the coming months and years.

Financial

ABA Legal Highlights UAE’s Legal Framework as Catalyst for the Next Wave of Foreign Investment

Published

2 weeks ago

March 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

In alignment with the UAE’s ambitious vision to evolve into a global hub for business and foreign capital, ABA Legal, a boutique corporate law consultancy headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has announced its bold and strategic expansion of Legal Structure Mapping – a refined core advisory specially mentoring FDI and investors in interpreting and navigating the UAE’s investor-focused legal framework across the region. The move strengthens the firm’s positioning as one of a kind legal resource for foreign investors seeking clarity, compliance, and structured market entry within the UAE.

The United Arab Emirates has rapidly evolved into a leading destination for global business and foreign capital. According to recent government and industry reports, the UAE continues to rank among the top global destinations for foreign direct investment inflows, driven by continuous legal and regulatory modernization. ABA Legal observes that legal clarity, regulatory certainty, and structural reforms are increasingly central to investor decision-making, with businesses placing greater emphasis on well-defined legal pathways, ownership structures, and enforceability before committing capital to new markets.

Commenting on the evolving landscape, Ms. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran, Managing Counsel at ABA Legal, said “The UAE’s legal framework today is not only progressive but highly responsive to global investor expectations. The shift toward full foreign ownership, stronger dispute resolution systems, governance reforms, and IP protection has significantly enhanced legal certainty. At ABA Legal, our core service now is guiding foreign investors through these reforms with clarity and precision, ensuring they can structure, enter, and operate in the UAE market with confidence and long-term security. We aim to become the Legal Mentors for FDIs and Investors UAE interest”

A New Era of Legal Reform

The UAE has entered a new era of legal reform designed to strengthen transparency, predictability, and investor confidence across its commercial ecosystem. One of the most significant developments has been the overhaul of foreign ownership regulations. Sectors that previously required majority UAE national ownership have been widely liberalized, enabling 100% foreign ownership across a growing range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, and professional services. From a legal standpoint, this marks a structural realignment of the corporate framework, giving investors greater control over governance and operations while reducing compliance ambiguity and intermediary dependence. The reforms align the UAE with global best practices and reinforce its appeal for long-term, high-value investment.

Strengthening Contract Enforcement and Dispute Resolution

Investor confidence is closely tied to enforceability and legal certainty. The UAE has modernized commercial laws and strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms to create a secure environment for international business. Specialized courts operating under internationally recognized standards and common law principles, alongside stronger integration with global arbitration systems, ensure disputes are resolved efficiently and impartially. This protects contractual rights, lowers legal risk, and supports long-term cross-border investment strategies.

Governance, Transparency, and Investor Protection

Governance, transparency, and investor protection have also been enhanced through stricter corporate reporting, anti-money laundering, and financial compliance frameworks. These measures reduce regulatory uncertainty and strengthen market credibility by embedding internationally recognized standards into law. Investors benefit from a more stable, accountable, and transparent operating environment.

Free Zones: Tailored Legal Advantages: Free zones continue to play a central role in the UAE’s foreign investment strategy, offering tailored legal and regulatory advantages such as full foreign ownership, capital repatriation, customs exemptions, and flexible employment and residency structures. Designed around priority sectors, these zones combine flexibility with legal certainty and reduced administrative burden.

Modern Commercial Laws, Digital Economy Support, and IP Protection

Recent updates to commercial company regulations, data protection laws, and intellectual property protections further support digital economy and innovation-driven businesses. Together, these reforms create a resilient and adaptable legal ecosystem that not only attracts foreign capital but enables sustainable, knowledge-based growth; with ABA Legal supporting investors through structured legal guidance in this evolving framework.

For global investors seeking stability, transparency, and strategic opportunity, the UAE’s legal framework is more than supportive, it is a dynamic engine for capital inflow, innovation, and knowledge-based economic development, with ABA Legal serving as a strategic legal mentor in this journey.

Financial

BALANCING INNOVATION AND TRUST IN THE FUTURE OF RETAIL TRADING PLATFORMS IN THE UAE

Published

3 weeks ago

March 4, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

By Fraser Nelson, Head of Global Business Development, Scope Markets

The UAE stands at the forefront of a digital financial revolution, where innovation in retail trading platforms is rapidly reshaping how individuals’ access and participate in financial markets. New technologies are enabling broader market access, deeper analytics, and personalised experiences for investors across demographics. Yet with these advancements comes the critical need to balance innovation with trust, ensuring that technological progress enhances investor confidence and long-term market participation, not just speed and convenience.

Expanding Access Through Technological Innovation

Recent developments in the UAE capital markets illustrate how digital innovation is transforming investor access. For example, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) welcomed Thndr as its first remote retail trading member, enabling millions of users to trade securities and exchange-traded funds directly via a fully digital platform without physical presence in the UAE. This milestone broadens participation and underscores the role of technology in reducing barriers to entry for retail investors.

Similarly, market infrastructure upgrades including new order types and enhanced trading systems are designed to make price discovery and execution more efficient for both institutional and retail participants. These enhancements reflect a broader strategy to deepen market reach and usability.

Regulatory Frameworks as Anchors of Trust

As platforms evolve, regulators in the UAE continue to play a central role in safeguarding investor interests while fostering innovation. The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has introduced federal licensing for robo-advisory services, aiming to enhance transparency, risk disclosure, and operational governance for platforms that deliver automated investment advice. This regulatory clarity helps ensure that digital advice tools serve investors with appropriate protection and predictable standards.

Across financial centres such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), regulators are also modernising authorisation and engagement processes. For example, the DFSA’s new digital portal is designed to streamline compliance workflows and better support firms seeking licencing; a move that signals regulatory commitment to both innovation and oversight.

These regulatory efforts strengthen trust by providing clear expectations and oversight mechanisms, which in turn encourage responsible innovation by market participants.

Investor Adoption and Experience in a Digital Age

Technology isn’t only reshaping how markets operate, it’s influencing how individuals make decisions. Surveys indicate that a significant portion of UAE retail investors use artificial intelligence tools, such as recommendation engines or AI-driven research assistants, to shape their portfolios. This engagement with technology reflects a growing comfort with digital decision-making but also highlights the importance of education and digital literacy in using these tools wisely.

Platforms that offer intuitive interfaces and data-driven insights can enhance investor experience, but they must also provide clear explanations of risks, fees, and realistic performance expectations. This transparency builds trust and prevents misconceptions that can arise from overreliance on algorithmic signals or social media sentiment.

The Trust Imperative: Security, Transparency, and Education

Innovation without trust is unsustainable. In financial services, trust stems from robust cybersecurity, transparent pricing and disclosures, and investor education. Safe digital environments require ongoing investments in secure systems, data protection, and customer-centric design not only to protect assets but also to reinforce confidence in digital channels.

Platforms and regulators alike must prioritise straightforward communication about how tools work, what risks they entail, and how investors can make informed decisions. Equally, investors benefit from continuously improving their understanding of market mechanics, regulation, and technology through credible educational resources.

Conclusion: A Balanced Path Forward

The future of retail trading platforms in the UAE is shaped by a dynamic interplay between technological innovation and regulatory safeguards. The integration of digital access, advanced analytics, and automated services offers unprecedented opportunities for individual investors. At the same time, trust anchored in transparent practices, strong oversight, and investor empowerment will determine whether these innovations translate into sustainable market engagement.

As the UAE’s financial ecosystem matures, success will belong to platforms and participants that prioritise innovation with responsibility. By embracing both cutting-edge technology and enduring principles of trust, the market can offer inclusive, efficient, and secure avenues for wealth creation that stand the test of time.