Contextual Solutions Blog
This page is dedicated to our original and curated content about FinTech, digital banking, LegalTech, and innovation.
Celebrating Success: Our Fintech Blog Emerges Among the Top 20 in Germany!
We are thrilled to share a momentous achievement that fills us with pride and gratitude – our fintech blog has been recognized among the best in Germany!
A Glimpse Into the Future of Banking With Quantum Computing
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reform industries and processes as the number one tech infrastructure, quantum computing follows as the close second, thanks to its predictive powers.
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.
Expert Coffee Talks - Achim Oelgarth
It's getting harder to meet people in Berlin due to the crisp ❄ weather, but the cold didn't stop Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich of Contextual Solutions from chasing Finance and Tech experts for an interview; coffee talks are back!
2023 Unwrapped: Our (Fin)Tech Year in Review
As we are about to close an extremely successful year, we would like to thank all our team members, partners, clients, and readers for making 2023 a success. We would also like to use this opportunity to rewind and reflect.
The Tectonic Shift in European Fintech: A 2024 Outlook
Investment in European Fintech has seen its share drop by almost 10 percentage points, as observed by the 2023 ‘State of European Tech’ report. What awaits the tech scene in 2024? Let’s find out.
Record-Breaking Binance Punishment Could Be Good News for Fintech
The legal settlement between Binance and the US Treasury has been described as a heavy blow for crypto in general and exchanges in particular, but closer analysis reveals a more nuanced message.
Is Artificial Intelligence Demoralizing Tech Employees? It Is, According to the Experts
Do you experience demotivation within your organization, regardless of all the improvement attempts? Do you feel less inspired or impactful as an expert? You are not alone, as confirmed by experts.
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.
Why Did We Move to a New Office in the Age of Remote Work?
After the pandemic, the traditional work landscape underwent a seismic shift, with remote work emerging as a prominent contender to the conventional office setup. The advantages of each approach are significant, and there is a spirited debate about which is superior. Where do Contextual Solutions stand in this debate?
How OpenAI Showed Silicon Valley’s Ugly-Side
The fallout of Sam Altman’s ouster from OpenAI invited speculation and commentary from across the whole tech community. Key to our fascination was the simple truth that nobody really knew exactly what went down.
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.
Where Does Metaverse Rank in the Trend Scale?
The Metaverse, a once-hyped technology promising a disorienting video-game-like world for users, has met its end, abandoned by the business world.
Is the Metaverse dead? Where does it rank in the trend scale? Let’s find out!
Does Fintech Have a Revenue Fraud Problem?
In the fast-paced world of Financial Technology (fintech), a shadow has cast itself over the usual narrative of innovation and growth: the rising concern with revenue fraud. From embellished financials to obscured liabilities, several incidents within the sector have initiated conversations about the integrity of Fintech startups’ revenue reporting.
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.
Stablecoins: A Cornerstone of the Modern Payment Infrastructure
From Theory to Practice: PayPal’s Stablecoin
Are stablecoins fulfilling a need in today's society, or is it just another tool for "window innovation?" We'll soon find out; Paypal, the beloved payment service provider, has again proven its pioneer strategy through its announcement on July 7th. Accordingly, PayPal will roll out a stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), which will be backed by US dollar deposits.
Our Tech Open Air 2023 Impressions
Tech Open Air marked the last of the tech conferences in Berlin before the tech ecosystem took off to their well-deserved summer break. The event took place between 5-7 July. Our UX/UI expert Merve Tekinay Uçkun attended the event & reported on-site on behalf of Contextual Solutions.
Unveiling the Convergence of Financial Services and the Digital Age
State of the Payments Industry
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the financial services industry has experienced a significant transformation. As consumers increasingly embrace the convenience and efficiency of the digital age, traditional financial institutions are being challenged to adapt and keep pace with emerging innovations. Marqeta's latest market report delves into this dynamic landscape, analyzing key findings that shed light on the convergence of financial services & the digital age.
Crypto Trends in Business & Beyond – Key Findings (2023)
Ripple’s Crypto Report
The crypto industry is constantly changing due to various factors such as shifting global economies, the rise and fall of stablecoins, and significant events like the collapse of exchanges and major banks. Despite the challenges faced in 2022 and the rocky start to 2023 for the broader financial sector, global confidence in crypto and blockchain technology has increased. This change is driven by growing consumer demand, interest in blockchain, maturing use cases for financial institutions and businesses, and a shift towards real-world utility.
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.
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info@contextuals.de
www.contextualsolutions.de
Contextual Solutions
Berlin, Germany