Archived Articles

In just two short decades, fintech—an amalgam of “finance” and “technology”—has exploded onto the scene, revolutionizing the financial services industry as we know it. This dynamic sector has been fueled by the various innovations that have shaped a generation, each one seemingly more game-changing than the last. The rapid rise of the sector notwithstanding, fintechs on average lost more than half their market value in 2022—a plunge we believe is a short-term correction in an otherwise long-term positive trajectory, as the industry’s fundamental growth drivers haven’t changed.

The way we use money in the United Kingdom is changing, bringing fresh opportunities and new considerations for public policy. Banknotes, issued by the Bank of England, are being used less frequently by households and businesses. New technologies are allowing for the emergence of new forms of digital money, and new ways and devices to pay with it. International developments have the potential to affect the UK domestically and as a global leader in finance.

In the near future, there's a good chance quantum computers will be a game changing technology for humanity. The industry is still in its early stages, with computer scientists around the world as well as technology giants such as IBM and Google working to develop them. So what exactly makes them different from our current computers and mobile devices? Jessica Pointing, a PhD student and researcher in quantum computing at Stanford University and Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni, explains the basics.

Since their inception in 2008 and the subsequent en- thusiasm, media attention, delusion, reflection, and continuous innovation, ‘cryptocurrencies’ have be- come one of the most interesting and perhaps most misunderstood phenomena of the early 21st century. Their popularity and potential for ‘disrupting’ and improving traditional financial systems, however, have led to an expanding list of media commentaries, research papers, and policy reports.

The global nickel market is entering a period of flux as two distinct commodity segments emerge: nickel used in the fast-growing rechargeable battery market – in particular for electric vehicles (EVs) – and nickel for the traditional stainless steel market, dominated by ferronickel and nickel pig iron (NPI). This shift presents a set of opportunities and threats that will require mining companies, battery manufacturers, and car OEMs to reevaluate their strategies.