Capital markets

Balance, an API-based checkout solution designed for B2B e-commerce, has raised $5.5 million to launch operations with backing from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Stripe, Affirm and PayPal cofounder Max Levchin.

Cross-border payments technology provider Routefusion plans to expand its embedded software services and global partnerships after a recent funding round.

The fintech world is expanding at a sometimes breathtaking pace. Much of that growth is driven by venture capital, but how do VCs decide which companies to invest it in--or not? Join Greycroft partner Will Szczerbiak in a discussion with Olugbenga Agboola, the founder and CEO of Flutterwave, the San Francisco-based startup building the largest payments infrastructure in Africa. Guest host James Ledbetter, editor and publisher of the fintech newsletter FIN, will explore these questions: What are VCs looking for in a fintech startup? What are the hottest fintech sectors in 2021? How has the rise in fintech valuations affected the market? Where will growth be strongest in the next few years?

Fast has received a new round of funding from backers including Stripe.

The latest round includes two new investors, Eurazeo Growth and Wellington Management, as well as one returning shareholder, Sprints Capital.

The Utah company, which serves more than 2,000 banks and credit unions, has grown rapidly because it helps financial institutions deliver the types of personalized financial advice consumers have increasingly come to expect.

U.K. fintech Rapyd, backed by Stripe, has raised $300 million in a Series D round to fuel its growth through acquisitions in payment processing, card issuing and disbursements.

Walmart's fintech venture with Ribbit Capital allows it to influence more technological developments in the retail industry.

A new path forward for digital banks and their customers.

Venture capitalists will shift their focus to fintechs that support financial inclusion, according to Emmalyn Shaw, managing partner of the VC firm Flourish. Meanwhile, challenger banks will continue to grow, she says.