Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Leadership, Competition, Human Capital, Health
DMG Blockchain Plans Oregon Site for AI and Mining
Blockchain | Nov 5, 2025
Image: Freepik/tonodiaz
Canadian Blockchain Firm Enters Agreement For First U.S. Data Center
On November 4, 2025 Canadian DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. (TSX V: DMGI; OTCQB: DMGGF; Frankfurt: 6AX) announced a letter agreement and deposit to acquire a 27,600 square foot building in Boardman, Oregon. The property sits on eight acres with an option for ten more and is connected to 3.75 megawatts of power. DMG expects to close the transaction in the coming weeks, according to the official news release.
The Boardman area hosts multiple large data facilities, offering strong connectivity and access to utility power. DMG plans to retrofit the existing building or add new capacity on the full site to support high performance computing, such as training AI models and data processing, expanding beyond just Bitcoin mining.
See: Visa Extends Stablecoin Settlement to Four Blockchains
DMG reported 23 Bitcoin mined in October 2025, which was unchanged from September. Hashrate rose from 1.65 to 1.75 exahashes per second. The company ended October holding 359 Bitcoin, up from 342 in September. The company noted cooler seasonal temperatures and continued optimization.
Canadian Sovereign AI Build Continues
The Oregon expansion complements DMG’s Canadian plan to build sovereign AI capacity. On October 28, 2025 DMG announced a partnership with the Malahat Nation to form a regulated utility that would power a fifteen megawatt site on Vancouver Island.
Why This Matters
DMG Blockchain's U.S. expansion is an example of how Canadian firms in blockchain and data infrastructure are scaling across borders while keeping a focus on domestic capacity. How quickly the retrofit in Oregon will take will determine how quickly DMG can deliver to market high performance compute services for AI and digital asset clients. More information is available at the DMG Blockchain website.
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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Why Marketing Leaders Must Put Impact First: Insights From Nathalie Kyriakou
Nov 5, 2025
Image: Unsplash/Markus Winkler
Being a leader is seldom about being the loudest voice in a room. More often, it’s about the impact you create. True leadership isn’t measured by notoriety, but the difference your work makes in people’s lives and communities.
These lessons are frequently ignored in an industry often incentivized by measures and accolades. But for marketing and communications specialist, Nathalie Kyriakou, marketing at its best is about serving people, not egos.
A Career Marked by Purpose
Nathalie has over 20 years of industry experience and a reputation for leading with empathy and clarity. She has worked in many fields, including technology, finance, and consumer goods, consistently helping people understand and utilize complex concepts.
Whether transforming a brand or helping teams discover their shared purpose, Nathalie approaches leadership as a service. Consequently, she has often been effective at launching initiatives that enrich people’s lives.
The Power of Meaningful Influence
Contemporary marketing often rewards visibility. But in truth, changes that occur without fanfare tend to be the most enduring. Leaders who focus on impact rather than attention tend to create stronger, more robust organizations. That’s because they generally care about the organization as a whole instead of personal accolades.
Nathalie’s own philosophy mirrors this principle. For her, leadership is about hearing, evolving, and truly understanding what people need. This mindset encourages her teams to rally around missions that counted for others, as opposed to missions geared toward meeting metrics.
Purpose-Driven Innovation at Nolos
As the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Nolos, Nathalie follows that same mentality. A Montreal-based LegalTech and Fintech company, Nolos is dedicated to making legal and financial services easier to access and easier to understand.
See: 12 Market Entry Approaches for Fintech Startups
Under Nathalie’s leadership, marketing campaigns become more than brand building—they also empower families. Whether through financial videos that help people make better financial decisions or marketing campaigns that create clarity in legal processes, Nolos is committed to serving the greater good.
The alignment between message and mission is when marketing leadership is most meaningful. By intentionally focusing on people, Nathalie builds audiences while strengthening trust. Instead of focusing on metrics, she measures her work by its contribution to helping others feel more secure about their future.
Leading Beyond the Workplace
True impact isn’t limited to professional settings. Apart from her work at Nolos, Nathalie dedicates time to community work in education, family support, and access to services. By imbuing her corporate and personal lives with empathy for the family’s purpose, she practices a brand of leadership that creates opportunities for others.
A New Model for Marketing Leadership
In an industry traditionally framed around influence and persuasion, Nathalie Kyriakou is an example of how marketing can be a form of service to others. By imbuing strategy with empathy and accountability, she creates a framework for sustaining impact beyond mere impressions and entertainment.
Nathalie reminds us that leaders who prioritize impact tend to create work that lasts. By focusing on a common purpose, marketing leaders can develop campaigns that engage, messages that empower, and teams that thrive.
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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Visa Extends Stablecoin Settlement to Four Blockchains
Stablecoins | Nov 4, 2025
Visa Adds Multi-chain Stablecoin Support Across Four Blockchains and 25 Fiat Currencies
On October 28, 2025, Visa CEO Ryan McInerney told investors in a Visa Q4 earnings call (22 page PDF) that the company is adding support for four stablecoins operating on four distinct blockchains across two currencies, with conversion to more than 25 fiat currencies. He said Visa’s stablecoin-linked card spend has quadrupled over the past year, with monthly settlement volumes reaching an annualized $2.5 billion. So now we can all expect to have access to embedded digital currency settlement directly into its global treasury and FX systems.
See: Stablecoin Payments Have Wings – Are You Ready?
Visa’s public Onchain Analytics Dashboard reports more than US $9.6 trillion in adjusted transaction volume, over 10 billion transactions, and an average stablecoin supply above US $221 billion across Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and Avalanche. The numbers confirm that fiat-backed stablecoins are already a growing part of daily global payments.
Based on Visa’s earlier pilot programs using USDC on Ethereum and Solana, it is reasonable to expect these networks to be among the four blockchains involved, though earnings call transcript doesn't name specific stablecoins or chains.
From Pilot to Platform
Visa’s expansion is a transition from testing digital currency settlement to making it part of its core infrastructure. The company is linking stablecoins to its global treasury and FX networks, allowing conversion between digital assets and traditional currencies without adding new intermediaries. So stablecoins will become programmable tools for cross-border settlement and liquidity management.
See: Amazon and Walmart Exploring Merchant-Led Stablecoins
Ryan McInerney, Visa CEO:
“We are adding support for four stablecoins, running on four unique blockchains, representing two currencies, that we can accept and convert to over 25 traditional fiat currencies. Our digital currency work builds on our core competencies — connecting buyers and sellers, securing payments, and enabling interoperability across currencies and networks.”
Fintechs and financial institutions should take notice because Visa is not just planning to accept stablecoins as a form of payment, it's building a bridge between regulated banking infrastructure and onchain finance. Visa’s integration also provides a compliance template that shows how large-scale financial networks can handle digital assets safely within existing frameworks.
Cross-border Growth and Enterprise Adoption
Visa’s financial results strengthen the case why stablecoin settlement is strategically important. According to Visa’s investor materials, cross-border payment volume grew 10% year over year in Q4 2025, driven by travel and international eCommerce. Total revenue reached US $9.2 billion, up 9%, with payment volume increasing 8% on a constant-dollar basis.
Stablecoins fit naturally into this picture. They can move value instantly across borders, reducing settlement friction and costs for businesses that operate in multiple currencies. For enterprises, corporates, and fintechs, Visa’s model offers a regulated approach to use stablecoins for treasury, payroll, and remittances at scale.
See: Ripple Acquires Rail for $200M to Boost Stablecoin Payments
Visa’s partnerships with digital wallets, neobanks, and blockchain platforms extend its reach into Web3 commerce while maintaining the dispute resolution and identity safeguards that make card networks trusted globally.
McInerney emphasized continued collaboration with policymakers and central banks to ensure that new payment models meet regulatory expectations while delivering tangible economic benefits.
Outlook
For Canada, Visa's approach of blending real world payments with programmable finance is a framework offering lessons on how to connect open banking, digital money regulation, and cross-border innovation at scale and under clear governance.
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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OSFI Approval Clears Questrade to Open Questbank in Canada
Banking Regulation | Nov 4, 2025
Questrade Wins Federal Approval to Launch Questbank, Opening New Competition in Canada’s Banking Market
On November 3, 2025, Questrade officially entered the banking sector. The company received federal approval from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to open Questbank, one of the few new Schedule I banks authorized in Canada in the past two decades. The approval was confirmed through the Canada Gazette publication of Questbank incorporation.
See: Fintechs Urge Ottawa to Modernize Account Transfers
This is significant as Questrade evolves from an investment brokerage into a full service digital bank. It adds a new competitor to a market long dominated by Canada’s largest institutions and will hopefully advance innovation, inclusion, and national competitiveness in the country.
How Questrade Earned Its Bank License
After six years of preparation, OSFI approved Questrade’s bank license on November 3 2025, granting an Order of Commencement and Carrying on of Business under the Bank Act. The approval allows Questbank to accept deposits and issue loans under federal oversight.
The decision aligns with priorities set out in the OSFI Strategic Plan 2024–2027, which focuses on stability and responsible modernization. Licensing a fintech type of institution signals that regulators are confident digital firms can meet Canada’s prudential standards while helping to diversify and strengthen the banking system.
Why This Changes Canada’s Banking Landscape
A Bank of Canada study on market concentration shows that Canada’s Big Six control over 93% of total banking assets, one of the highest levels in the G7. This concentration limits competition and slows innovation. The entry of Questbank introduces a new competitor focused on digital experience, transparency, and affordability.
Current market data indicate that Questrade manages more than $85 billion in client assets, giving Questbank the scale to compete with mid-tier lenders from day one. Its digital first model could reduce overhead and improve pricing for both savers and borrowers. In a country where banking profits exceed $60 billion annually, new entrants are needed to expand access and encourage modernization.
What It Means For Consumers and Policy
For Canadians, the launch of Questbank could make it easier to manage money in one place. People who already invest through Questrade will be able to bank, borrow, and save using a single digital platform. This integration may lower fees and increase transparency.
For policymakers, the development shows both progress and remaining friction. Only a handful of Schedule I banks have launched since 2000, and the approval process remains lengthy (see Santander Bank 5 years to get license). A more flexible licensing approach could allow other qualified fintechs to join the system while maintaining strong oversight. Countries including the United Kingdom and Singapore have implemented phased authorization programs for digital banks, allowing limited early operations before full licensing. A similar framework in Canada could help attract investment and skilled talent while supporting responsible innovation.
See: Regulating for Growth by Understanding Innovation
Questrade’s success also underlines the importance of governance. The company’s record of compliance and consumer protection likely strengthened its application and sets a precedent for fintechs seeking federal status.
Outlook
Questrade plans to roll out Questbank publicly in 2026, combining savings, lending, and investment services under one regulated brand. The achievement shows that innovation and oversight can advance together to build a more inclusive and efficient financial system.
It confirms that fintechs investing in trust, governance, and compliance can now better compete directly with established banks. Questrade’s path from brokerage to federally regulated institution offers a roadmap for how collaboration with regulators can fuel growth and improve Canada’s competitiveness in global finance.
Q&A
Q: What exactly did OSFI approve on November 3 2025?
A: On that date, OSFI issued an Order of Commencement and Carrying on of Business, authorising Questbank to begin operations as a Schedule I bank under Canada’s Bank Act. Verified by Reuters reporting on November 3 2025.
Q: When was Questbank officially incorporated?
A: The federal government issued letters patent on March 29 2025, as published in the Canada Gazette.
See: Global Payments to Reach $2.4 Trillion and Tokenized Future
Q: How large is Questrade’s current business?
A: The company manages more than CAD 85 billion in client assets, based on publicly reported data.
Q: Why is this move important for Canadian fintech?
A: Because Canada’s Big Six banks still control roughly 93% of banking assets, Questbank’s approval brings fresh competition and shows fintech innovation can thrive under federal regulation.
Image generated by AI
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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Standard Chartered CEO Backs Tokenized Finance in Hong Kong
Tokenization | Nov 3, 2025
Image: Freepik/lifeforstock
Standard Chartered CEO Backs Tokenized Finance In Hong Kong
On November 3, 2025, speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025 (Nov 3-7), Standard Chartered Group CEO Bill Winters told attendees that the bank is working with regulators and infrastructure providers across Asia to make tokenized settlements operational.
“Our belief, which I think is shared by the leadership of Hong Kong, is that pretty much all transactions will settle on blockchains eventually, and that all money will be digital,” adding that institutional adoption is now driving the market.
See: Crypto Finance Finding Scale and Clarity in 2025
Digital currency momentum is building across Asia. According to Quartr, during Standard Chartered’s Q3 2025 earnings call, he emphasized that blockchain and tokenized asset infrastructure are “a core part of our payments and securities business strategy.” The bank’s venture arm SC Ventures has invested in settlement platforms and digital asset custody providers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE to prepare for institutional scale.
Tokenization Becomes Core Financial Infrastructure
Hong Kong’s digital finance policy is moving from experimentation to scale. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) circular on expanding virtual asset trading platform services removes earlier barriers for banks and licensed exchanges to issue and custody tokenized securities under supervision. It also aligns with Hong Kong’s new stablecoin licensing regime, which took effect on August 1 2025, creating a pathway for licensed entities to offer regulated stablecoins towards broader public access.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief executive Eddie Yue unveiled the city’s Fintech 2030 strategy built on four pillars. Data, AI, Resilience, and Tokenization (DART) and announced the next phase of the Project Ensemble pilot (read his full speech here).
The pilot now extends beyond proof-of-concept to real transactions in tokenized deposits and money-market funds between major banks and corporates. Yue said tokenization will make bond settlement and trade finance “faster, cheaper, and safer” while preparing the city for cross-border interoperability.
Implications for Canada
Hong Kong’s strategic approach shows how regulatory clarity and infrastructure readiness can draw investment and accelerate industry innovation. The model offers a blueprint for Canada to move beyond regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs toward supervised tokenized settlement and digital-asset custody frameworks built into the financial system.
See: NCFA Canada and TheBlock Partner to Build a Global Bridge for Tokenization
For Canadian fintechs and banks, staying competitive will depend on how quickly policymakers complete payment modernization, establish clear rules for stablecoins and tokenized assets, and open Payments Canada’s systems to more participants through the Real-Time Rail.
Remember, Standard Chartered is already building tokenized-finance capabilities across Asia. Institutions will need to update their core systems to benefit from faster cross-border and digital settlement and to connect with the growing global networks for tokenized finance.
Outlook
The SFC and HKMA frameworks create one of the world’s most coordinated environments for institutional blockchain adoption and banks like Standard Chartered are positioning themselves to capitalize on that alignment.
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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Perplexity and Getty Multi-year Images Licensing Deal
AI Licensing | Nov 3, 2025
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
Perplexity and Getty Images Partner to Bring Licensed Visuals Into AI Search
On October 31 2025, Getty Images and Perplexity announced a global multi-year agreement that gives Perplexity permission to display Getty’s creative and editorial photos within its AI search tools. The partnership uses Getty’s API to bring licensed images directly into Perplexity’s results with clear credits and links to the original source.
See: Perplexity’s $34.5B Chrome Bid Fuels Google Antitrust Heat
It’s one of the first major deals between an AI company and a content rights holder, an example of how licensing can help AI platforms respect creators while improving the quality of what users see.
Jessica Chan, Head of Content and Publisher Partnerships at Perplexity:
“Getty Images shares our belief that the future of AI‑powered discovery requires respecting the creators behind the content. Attribution and accuracy are fundamental to how people should understand the world in an age of AI"
Legitimizing Content Use and Addressing Concerns
Perplexity has faced several plagiarism and scraping allegations during the past year, including incidents involving Getty photos that appeared without license. The new agreement resolves those issues by providing legitimate access under clear terms.
Nick Unsworth, Vice President Strategic Development at Getty Images:
"This agreement paves the way for a productive and collaborative partnership between our companies, where we will work together to improve attribution of our contributors' work and Getty Images’ high‑quality creative and editorial content will enhance Perplexity’s platform.”
Users should note however that the license applies only to Perplexity itself. So while users can view Getty images in search results they can't download, reuse, or share them outside the platform.
Attribution does not grant any rights, and any reuse or commercial application still requires a separate license from Getty Images. There is no indication of sublicensing or user-level permissions in any official material.
Implications
The Perplexity–Getty deal is a win-win where a structured licensing partnership can strengthen trust and reduce copyright exposure while improving the user experience. For Getty, the deal adds a new business stream in AI search.
See: The Necessity of Copyrighting Your Voice in 2024 | 1,000 Artists Protest AI Copyright Plans with Silent Album
For Perplexity, it helps rebuild credibility after a year of public criticism while following through on stronger commitment to transparency and proper credit for creators. This partnership also builds on the company’s earlier initiative to share value with content creators through its 80/20 revenue-sharing program for publishers.
Outlook
Being transparent about where information comes from builds confidence with users and regulators. As Canada develops its own rules for AI and copyright, partnerships like this one show how respecting creators can go hand in hand with innovation.
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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CSI Community Bond Nears $6M to Strengthen Ownership
Social Finance | Nov 3, 2025
Image: Freepik
Citizen Investors Back CSI’s Community Bond to Strengthen Its Community-owned Infrastructure and Mission
The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) confirmed in its August 2025 update that its 2025 Community Bond campaign, targeting $6 million in total investment, was nearly full following strong participation since launch in May. The funds are being raised to transition CSI to 100% community financing, retire remaining bank debt, and strengthen ownership of its 192 Spadina Avenue property, ensuring long-term stability for its social innovation mission.
See: Gander Social Nears $1.5M as Canadians Invest in Canada
CSI’s 2025 Community Bond offering includes three verified bond options as listed on its official campaign page: Series L (4.25% annual simple interest, 3-year term), Series M (5% annual compound interest, 5-year term), and Series N (6% annual compound interest, 5-year term).
Minimum investments range from $1,000 to $25,000. According to CSI’s 2025 Offering Statement, the bonds are secured by registered charges on CSI’s Toronto properties, and the organization states it has “never missed an interest payment” since the first issuance.
Financing Inclusion and Innovation
Community bonds occupy a growing space in Canada’s impact-finance ecosystem. They allow individuals and institutions to earn predictable returns while funding community-owned infrastructure and social enterprises.
For Canada’s fintech and alternative finance community, CSI’s community bond initiative dates back years and provides a verified model of how mission-aligned investors can contribute to measurable social and economic outcomes. It also complements national efforts to broaden retail investor participation through investment crowdfunding and exempt-market modernization.
See: Fintech Fridays EP63: From Angel Investor to Change-Maker: Investing with Impact
Closing Thought
It demonstrates that capital formation and public benefit can work together when accountability, collateral, and investor confidence are clearly defined. As policymakers explore pathways to inclusive capital access, the community-bond structure is a practical example of responsible innovation in finance. Those interested in learning more about the model and its broader impact can visit socialinnovation.ca.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. Readers should consult the official issuer documents for full details.
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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