Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Fintech Report | July 30, 2025

Image: BCG QED Report Scaled Winners, Emerging Disruptors (Cover)
The latest analysis from BCG and QED Partners in a report titled, "Fintech's Next Chapter: Scaled Winners and Emerging Disruptors" (38 page PDF), shows that fintech companies currently capture just 3% of global banking and insurance revenues, leaving substantial room to grow.
The study frames this stage around two groups. The scaled winners are fewer than 100 companies generating more than $500 million in annual revenue. They account for most of the sector’s revenues and are now focused on profitability, compliance and expansion into adjacent services.
The emerging disruptors are thousands of smaller companies between $50 to $500 million in revenue. They are fast moving, often AI native, and are working in underserved markets and niches. Some of these emerging disruptors are well on their way to becoming the next generation of scaled winners.
In 2024, global fintech revenues increased 21% compared with 13% the previous year. Segments such as deposits grew 23%, trading and investment 21% and insurance 40%. This growth is happening while valuations and funding have recovered. In the first quarter of 2025, equity funding was 34% higher than a year earlier and valuations improved by 10%.
Earnings margins improved by 4% points to reach 16% in 2024. 69% of public fintechs are profitable, up from less than half the year before, and 35% now meet the rule of 40. Valuations are being driven by these fundamentals. Forward revenue growth and profitability explain half of the variation in valuations. Size and research and development spending explain another 39%.
Fintechs generate 3% of banking and insurance revenues. Penetration is as high as 14% in payments but under 1% in insurance, leaving a large gap for future growth. Payments still make up 55% of scaled fintech revenues (see image below), followed by challenger banks at 15%, crypto trading at 7% and buy now pay later at 4%.

Image: Distribution of Scaling fintechs 2024 BCG report 'Scaled Winners, Emerging Disruptors'
New AI models can act as autonomous agents that execute payments, preapprove loans, rebalance portfolios and anticipate risk exposures. Fintechs that are AI native receive 49% of all equity funding even though their seed rounds are smaller. Over the past three years, $32 billion has gone to B2B fintechs and $30 billion to financial infrastructure providers, with most of this capital flowing to AI powered models.
Large institutions are piloting tokenized bonds and funds. Tokenizing assets can remove up to $20 billion in intermediary costs every year, shorten settlement times and broaden access. Progress depends on clear regulatory frameworks and infrastructure ready for institutional standards.
After years of rapid expansion, challenger banks are focusing on core markets. 92 of them are now profitable and 24 generate more than $500 million in revenue. Geographic distribution of scaled fintech revenue remains uneven with 52% from the United States, 10% each from Asia Pacific excluding China and from Latin America, and 1% from the Middle East and Africa.
Fintech originated loans total $500 billion while private credit funds manage $1.7 trillion. There is a $280 billion gap in capital deployment, and partnerships between private credit funds and fintech lenders are set to grow quickly. Strong funding conditions in early 2025 support this trend.
B2B payments, treasury and workflow automation are still underdeveloped. Deposit related revenues grew 23% in 2024, ahead of the 21% industry growth rate. Insurtech fintechs grew by 40% over the same period, driven by distribution and brokerage models. These segments are becoming the growth engines for disruptors.
There are still 150 private fintechs founded before 2016 that have each raised more than $500 million and have not yet gone public, showing that investors are still ready to back scale-up stories.
The report highlights fintechs need to choose whether they are on a path to becoming a scaled winner or emerging disruptor. Canadian fintechs and NCFA members should prioritize sustainable growth in home markets before pursuing global expansion.
AI native products will be the key differentiator. Companies that engage early with regulators on AI and digital asset rules will be better positioned as these markets evolve. Partnerships with private credit funds can provide growth in lending. B2B automation and modernization of financial infrastructure are major opportunities.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Listing | July 28, 2025

On July 23 2025, xTAO Inc announced that it raised $23 million financing round to support the growth of Bittensor decentralized AI network, and that xTAO will begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XTAO.U.
The funding included $22.8 million dollars through subscription receipts and an additional 200000 shares sold at one dollar each in a private placement on July 21 (shares are subject to a hold period of four months and one day). The company also said that a portion of the proceeds will be used to acquire TAO tokens for its treasury.
Bittensor is a blockchain network built specifically for artificial intelligence. Instead of keeping AI models locked inside single companies, it allows developers and organizations to share models and computing power on an open system. The network uses a digital token called TAO to reward those who contribute useful models and resources.
xTAO’s role is to run the infrastructure that keeps this network running smoothly. Its systems check how well each model performs, and it helps other companies plug into the network so they can use or add to it. The better the network grows and performs, the more value xTAO earns because its operations generate TAO tokens that become part of the company’s own reserves.
The company was founded by Karia Samaroo who previously led WonderFi before its sale to Robinhood. The new capital will be used to expand beyond core infrastructure into tools and services that make it easier for enterprises to build on Bittensor. This approach aims to provide a bridge between the blockchain based network and companies looking to work with decentralized AI.
This listing marks the first time a company focused entirely on Bittensor has entered public markets. It gives investors a regulated way to take part in the growth of decentralized AI without having to hold crypto assets directly.
Investors need to consider the risks of an early stage network and the volatility of the TAO token which will affect the value of xTAO as the company holds TAO as a reserve asset.
The listing puts xTAO in a position to act as a gateway between public market investors and a developing decentralized AI ecosystem. It now has new capital to expand infrastructure and create tools that could make Bittensor easier to use. The company’s arrival on the public market is another sign that blockchain projects and capital markets are overlaping as new technologies move into public investment channels.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Release | July 24, 2025

Image: Freepik
On July 24, 2025, Flashy Finance announced a sponsorship with AuCan Gold to launch a new Play for Gold game model that bridges real world assets and Web3 entertainment.
The first title, Dig It, will let users earn digital Nuggets tokens that can be redeemed for tokenised gold prizes backed by physical reserves. Up to $10 million in gold will be distributed across Flashy's game ecosystem, creating one of the largest real world asset reward pools in crypto gaming to date.
The collaboration builds on AuCan Gold’s July 22 launch of a US$2.5 billion tokenised gold platform for accredited investors. This expansion into the gaming market brings that same infrastructure to a new demographic of Web3 users while offering a way to win verified gold exposure through gameplay. Tokens earned in Dig It will be linked to physical gold via redemption programs supported by AuCan’s reserve-backed vault infrastructure.
Flashy’s upcoming suite of gold games will reward attention, creativity, and community engagement with real world value. The launch title Dig It is designed as a viral, tap-to-dig mobile experience.
A follow-up AR title called Go For Gold is also in development. In both games, players collect Nuggets tokens, which can be redeemed through licensed programs for tokenised gold ownership. Redemption is governed by smart contracts tied to audited reserves, ensuring that value earned in game corresponds to real gold in storage.
According to Flashy CEO Michael Gord, this model turns gold into a reward for participation. “Through Flashy and its sponsorship program with AuCan, we’re democratizing access to gold by turning it into a reward for creativity, skill, and participation.” The aim is to blend gaming, financial literacy, and decentralised infrastructure into a unified experience that makes asset ownership feel accessible and engaging.
The partnership with AuCan gives it access to compliant, asset-backed instruments that can support meaningful rewards and global scalability.
By integrating tokenised gold into gaming, firms like AuCan are unlocking new ways to distribute real assets at scale. It also allows Canadian companies to tap into global liquidity, not just through institutional channels but through viral, consumer driven platforms.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Tokenization | July 24, 2025

Image: Freepik
On July 23, 2025, BNY Mellon and Goldman Sachs launched a tokenized money market fund solution that allows select institutional clients to subscribe, redeem, and safely hold tokenized fund shares on a private blockchain. This is a live system that connects BNY Mellon’s LiquidityDirect platform with Goldman Sachs’ GS DAP® digital asset platform, giving clients new ways to manage cash faster and more efficiently.
The funds themselves aren't changing, but there's a new digital layer that mirrors fund shares as blockchain-based tokens. These tokens move in real time, helping institutions make faster decisions that can unlock liquidity more quickly.
When a client purchases a digital share class through LiquidityDirect, BNY Mellon updates the official fund records and creates/issues a mirrored token on GS DAP®. These tokens are not tradable on public markets but can be used internally by institutions to streamline operations such as collateral management and treasury settlement. BNY Mellon acts as the recordkeeper, custodian, and token administrator, minting and burning tokens to match the real holdings.
Goldman Sachs runs the blockchain infrastructure using GS DAP®, which is built on the Canton Network and powered by Daml smart contracts designed for financial markets.
At launch, the solution includes tokenized share classes from BlackRock, Fidelity, Federated Hermes, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and BNY Mellon’s Dreyfus group.
Money market funds are a $7 trillion market in the U.S., widely used by institutions for short term cash needs. But current systems can take one or two days to process subscriptions and redemptions, delaying how quickly institutions can move capital or meet margin requirements.
This tokenized solution reduces the settlement window to the same day. It allows institutions to unlock value from their fund shares more quickly and use them as collateral in time sensitive operations. The system is live, regulated, and designed to integrate directly with existing institutional infrastructure.
Laide Majiyagbe, Global Head of Liquidity, Financing & Collateral at BNY Mellon:
“As the financial system transitions toward a more digital, real-time architecture, BNY is committed to enabling scalable and secure solutions that shape the future of finance. Mirrored tokenization of MMF shares is a first step in this transition, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this first-of-its-kind initiative.”
Mathew McDermott, Global Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs said:
“Using tokens representing the value of shares of Money Market Funds on GS DAP® would enable us to unlock their utility as a form of collateral and open up more seamless transferability in the future.”
Other institutions are experimenting with similar models. JPMorgan’s Onyx system (renamed Kinexsys) has tokenized repo agreements, and BlackRock’s BUIDL fund has issued over $6.75 billion in tokenized Treasuries on public blockchain.
But BNY Mellon and Goldman Sach's is the first solution connecting real fund operations to tokenized workflows on a production platform used by institutional clients. What sets it apart is that they aren't replacing traditional systems, but rather they are adding speed and programmability within a framework that clients and regulators already know and use.
By creating mirrored tokens for money market funds, two of the largest global financial institutions are proving that blockchain can deliver real operational value without disrupting regulatory oversight. This is significant validation considering not too long ago, Goldman Sachs was at a point where they were reconsidering whether or not Bitcoin was a legitimate asset.
This model gives institutions faster access to capital, greater flexibility, and new ways to integrate fund holdings into real time financial operations. With policy clarity improving, tokenized fund infrastructure may soon become a standard feature in global markets.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Web3 Jobs | July 23, 2025

The digital workforce is evolving fast. Remote work is no longer a trend - it’s the norm. But there’s a deeper shift happening that’s reshaping how we define work, identity, and opportunity: Web3. And at the frontlines of this revolution? Women. From developers to strategists, artists to marketers, women are carving out space - and power - in the decentralized world of Web3 jobs.
A Web3 nomad is a professional leveraging decentralized technologies, crypto networks, and blockchain protocols to work anywhere, anytime - without being tied to traditional employers or physical offices. These aren’t your typical remote workers on Slack and Zoom. They’re part of DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), using crypto wallets as logins, earning in tokens, and managing their careers through reputation scores instead of résumés.
This shift isn’t just about new tools. It’s a complete restructuring of how people earn, collaborate, and build wealth online. And it’s drawing in more women than ever before, especially those who’ve been underserved or overlooked in traditional tech sectors.
Women are embracing Web3 jobs not because the system is perfect, but because it offers something rare: possibility without permission. Unlike legacy tech industries dominated by gatekeepers, Web3 is still fluid. It rewards output, creativity, and initiative over credentials.
Here’s why Web3 is fertile ground for female talent:
Despite the jargon, Web3 jobs aren’t all about coding. In fact, some of the highest-demand roles don’t require deep tech skills. The space is still young, and it needs a wide range of talent to grow, organize, and communicate.
Every one of these roles exists outside of traditional job boards. Most are project-based or governed by contributor reputation within DAOs. Salaries vary, but in many cases, Web3 pays better than Web2 - especially in token-based systems with upside potential.
You don’t need to “wait until you’re ready” to enter the Web3 world. Learning in public, contributing to projects, and showing up consistently gets you further than just taking courses or collecting certifications.
To navigate Web3 jobs, you need to be fluent with the platforms and tools where work happens. Here's a quick breakdown of where things go down:
Let’s not pretend this space is perfect - Web3 is still volatile, chaotic, and full of hype. But that’s also what makes it open to disruption and new voices. The reward systems, autonomy, and flexibility are lightyears ahead of anything in corporate tech.
Key advantages of Web3 work:
For women who’ve been underpaid, under-mentored, or underestimated in traditional tech, these dynamics are a game-changer.
Web3 isn’t just changing how we work. It’s changing who gets to lead. And women are already rewriting the script - not as tokens for diversity panels, but as architects of the next digital economy.
From Bali to Berlin, Lagos to Lisbon, a new class of Web3 nomads is rising - self-directed, skilled, and unstoppable. They're building portfolios, collecting tokens, and gaining influence - not just jobs.
If you’re looking for more than a paycheck - if you want autonomy, community, and upside - then Web3 might just be your next move. The ecosystem is wide open. And Web3 jobs are waiting.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Crypto | July 22, 2025

Image: Youtube Short - Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster interview CNBC Television
On July 18, 2025, Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster confirmed in an interview with CNBC Television that Schwab will soon let users buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly in its brokerage accounts, with the trading option to launch within the next 12 months. The change means Schwab clients will be able to hold crypto alongside their stocks, ETFs, and bonds without having to rely on a separate platform.
Schwab already offers clients access to crypto ETFs, and it currently manages more than 20% of the U.S. crypto ETP market. But Wurster says clients have been asking for more, expressing interest to hold actual Bitcoin or Ether at Schwab. This means that Schwab will soon be directly competing with Coinbase and other crypto exchanges.
In an interview with CoinDesk, Wurster said clients say:
"I’ve got 98% of my assets sitting at Schwab. I can’t wait until you have bitcoin or [Ether] because I want them sitting alongside my other assets.”
According to Cointelegraph,crypto interest on Schwab's platform jumped more than 400%, and the new offering is a direct response to what clients are asking for.
The company also plans to launch a Schwab-branded stablecoin at some point in the future, although it hasn’t said how or when that might happen.
This retail launch is separate from Schwab’s earlier involvement in building EDX Markets, a crypto exchange created for institutions and broker-dealers. That platform is still active, but this new offering will be aimed at regular investors using Schwab’s main trading platform.
Schwab’s plan to bring crypto inside the brokerage account highlights a growing difference between the U.S. and Canada. U.S. companies like Schwab, Fidelity, and BlackRock are building full-service crypto options under existing financial rules. But in Canada, crypto trading is still kept separate from brokerage services.
Wealthsimple and a few other Canadian platforms do offer crypto trading, but none of the big Canadian banks or traditional discount brokerages offer integrated crypto and stock/ETF accounts yet. That means Canadian investors still have to open multiple accounts, transfer funds between platforms, and manage different levels of regulation and risk.
Canada was early to approve crypto ETFs, but it has not moved forward on allowing spot crypto trading in mainstream financial accounts. Schwab’s move shows how U.S. rules are creating new opportunities that Canadian investors and fintechs are missing. Unless Canada modernizes its approach, it risks falling further behind in investor access, innovation, and market competitiveness.
Schwab manages over $8 trillion in assets and serves more than 35 million investors. Once the retail services is switched on, Charles Schwab will instantly become one of the largest retail crypto access points in America.
It adds pressure on Canadian regulators and financial firms to review their approach. Canadian fintechs could lose users and assets to U.S. competitors that offer a more complete experience. For investors who want all their assets in one place, Schwab’s upcoming crypto service will make that possible. That could raise expectations on this side of the border too.
For Canada to be competitive, they will need to push for better policy alignment and faster integration of crypto into traditional finance, and ideally offer services that add value beyond what the big U.S. platforms offer.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Tokenization RWA | July 22, 2025

Image: AuCan Gold Inc
On July 22, 2025, Toronto-based AuCan Gold announced the launch of a US$2.5 billion real world asset tokenised gold platform in partnership with TheBlock. The platform offers accredited investors secure digital access to institutional-grade gold held in regulated Swiss vaults and issued on blockchain infrastructure.
The platform runs on Polygon and uses Chainlink Proof of Reserve to confirm that token supply always matches the amount of gold in custody. Tokens are automatically minted and burned to reflect real time vault balances.
Each token is backed one to one with Good Delivery gold bars stored by global security firm Loomis. Vault holdings are audited monthly and verified using tamper-evident NFC chips and real time blockchain tracking. The platform is registered in Zug and structured to comply with Swiss and EU financial regulations.
TheBlock is handling token issuance and liquidity infrastructure, and a digital asset exchange listing is expected by the fourth quarter of 2025. All components are designed to meet institutional standards for auditability, custody, and legal clarity.
Global interest in real world asset tokenisation is rising fast. A joint report by BCG and ADDX projects the RWA token market could reach US$16 trillion by 2030. Gold is among the earliest and most adopted asset classes in this trend, with tokenised offerings already launched by Paxos, Tether, and Meld Gold. AuCan sets itself apart through its full physical backing, real time transparency, and strict regulatory standards in Canada.
AuCan’s tokenised gold platform shows how Canadian companies can build real products that meet international standards and offer value to global investors. As demand grows for stable, transparent assets in uncertain times, tokenised models like this one could become part of everyday finance.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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August 26th, 2025
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NCFA Canada
Craig Asano
CEO and Executive Director
casano@ncfacanada.org
ncfacanada.org


