Venture funding

Acorns Grow Inc. is in talks with investors for a new funding round that would give it a valuation north of $700 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

This week's plunge in bitcoin's value highlights one of the biggest concerns in using the cryptocurrency for payment. Stablecoins, which are pegged to traditional currency such as the U.S. dollar or a precious metal, are seen as a much less risky investment.

The Spanish bank’s investment arm, Propel, is jointly working with the venture capital firm Anthemis Group to find promising startups.

Gas Pos, which markets a solution for petroleum operators to convert to EMV payment technology at the pump, has raised $1 million in funding from a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

The payment terminal maker Poynt, a rival to Square and other hardware providers with customized software applications for merchants, has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round with strategic partners Elavon and National Australia Bank.

Barclays is leveraging its global network of offices and its business expertise to sponsor fintechs through its Accelerator programs in London, New York and Tel Aviv.

Cryptocurrency venture Bitfury raised $80 million from investors including the merchant bank founded by billionaire ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner Mike Novogratz.

American Express' VC wing is taking efforts to solidify its position in two sectors that are quickly maturing: APIs for small businesses and digital travel concierge services.

Retailers and restaurants have vigorously supported the ability to pay anywhere from any device, but that technology has not taken hold in more institutional businesses such as health care. It's not for lack of trying from developers.

Ant Financial, Alibaba’s finance affiliate controlled by billionaire Jack Ma, agreed to buy a stake in the Brazilian payments firm StoneCo Ltd after the company prices its initial public offering, joining Warren Buffett in investing in Brazil’s booming financial-technology startup landscape.