Contextual Solutions Blog
This page is dedicated to our original and curated content about FinTech, digital banking, LegalTech, and innovation.
The Fall of Wirecard: A Defining Moment for Germany's Fintech Landscape
Wirecard scandal: Explore one of Europe's biggest corporate fraud cases. Learn how the payment giant's deception went unnoticed, leading to its collapse.
How can the European Venture Capital Industry Catch Up with the US? IMF Report Summary
The IMF highlights the stark contrast between EU and US venture capital. Learn about the barriers hindering European startups and how to bridge the gap.
UK's New Strategic Fintech Plan: A Comprehensive Vision for the Future of Fintech
The UK's ambitious Fintech plan focuses on smart data, security, and tech leadership, driving innovation and growth in the financial services sector.
Open-Source vs. Closed Source-AI: An In-Depth Comparison and Implications from the EU AI Act
Recently, the debate between open source and closed source artificial intelligence approaches has intensified. This clash underscores the high stakes and divergent philosophies at play, as both paradigms vie for dominance. Learn more via our blog, which delves into expert opinions and stakeholder insights, comparing the two approaches as well as exploring the implications of the EU AI Act on the future of AI development and open or closed source models.
How to Open Doors with Lobbying as a Fintech Company?
Lobbying, an activity often shrouded in misunderstanding and misinterpretation, is how individuals, groups, or organizations attempt to influence the decision-making processes of government officials and regulatory bodies. Lobbying can save tech companies active in regulated sectors, such as Fintech or Healthtech, from future costs, bureaucracy, and legal hassles. How can tech companies utilize the power of lobbying? Find out!
EU Warns Finfluencers To Be Careful With Their Investment Advice
Acting as an unregulated financial advisor can have legal consequences for social media influencers, namely finfluencers, and the firms who use them. In our recent article we dived deeper into finfluencers, their impact on fintech marketing and trust building and the potential impact of the upcoming regulation. Read now to learn more!
Payment Licenses in Europe: How To Find the Right Regulator?
Obtaining a banking/payment licence in one EU state generally entitles a financial organisation to trade in all the other states. Yet the approval process can vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. Which one is best? How can you find the right jurisdiction?
The EU’s AI Act: A Leap Into the Future or a Step Back for Innovation?
With its latest draft unfurled on January 21, 2024, the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act steps into the spotlight as the globe's inaugural attempt at crafting a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI. But as this legislative titan begins to take form, a growing chorus of skeptics casts a shadow over its aspirations, cautioning that its efforts to govern could inadvertently throttle the very innovation it aims to nurture.
Exploring the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) – How Financial Risk and ICT Risk Have Become One
The EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) doesn't just blur the line between financial sector firms and their ICT providers; it erases that line entirely. This change has significant implications for everyone in FinTech and banking.
Banks Have Been Caught Red-Handed Committing ESG Fraud – or Have They?
Banks Have Been Caught Red-Handed Committing ESG Fraud – or Have They?
Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) greenwashing has soared by 70%, with many of the ‘guilty’ firms based in the EU. Yet all may not be as it seems.
PSD3 Overview: The Draft Has Pitfalls Lurking Amongst the Good Intentions
PSD3: A much anticipated payment regulation
How will the third incarnation of the EU Payment Services Directive affect PSPs and other fintech firms? Significantly so, if it passes in its current form.
Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Potential Benefits and Challenges
European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) published a study in June 2023 aiming to identify needs for research on AI for cybersecurity and on securing AI, as part of ENISA’s work in fulfilling its mandate under Article 11 of the Cybersecurity Act . Scroll down to learn our take aways from the study.
Digital Markets Act Has Big Implications for Online “Gatekeepers” in the EU
The EU's Digital Markets Act regulation is coming into force. Will it have the intended effect of levelling the online playing field and allowing smaller firms to compete with large platforms? Or will it just make life more complicated for everyone?
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