' Hey, Linas here! Welcome back to a ' weekly free edition ' of my daily newsletter. Each day I focus on 3 stories that are making a difference in the financial technology space. Coupled with things worth watching & most important money movements, it's the only newsletter you need for all things when Finance meets Tech. FinTech disruptor Dave generates triple-digit EBITDA growth as new fee model turbocharges profitability '' [deep dive into their latest Q4 2024 financials, what they tell us & whether Dave is worth your time and money in 2025 & beyond] PayPal's Great Leap Forward to reinvent commerce ''' [deep dive into PayPal's Investor Day 2025, uncovering key numbers & insights, and whether PYPL 0.00%' is worth your time and money in 2025 + lots of bonus deep dives inside] Quick look at the maturing BNPL landscape where mobile wallets drive growth '' [a holistic look at the current state of affairs, what it tells us & what can we expect next + bonus deep dives inside on the leading players in BNPL space]...

Good morning & happy Friday! Another incredible FinTech week is about to end, and we're finishing it off with a cherry on top ' Today we're looking at the regulatory U-Turn in the US as Trump administration clears path for crypto & tech in finance (what's been happening & what can we expect next + bonus deep dives into Robinhood & Coinbase), American Express which just acquired Center in a bid to integrate cards with expense management (what it's all about & why it matters + bonus deep dive into AmEx and their latest financials), and look at how AI is reshaping commercial insurance (what some AI-first InsurTechs are doing right now & what's next + bonus list of top resources on AI Agents). So let's jump straight into the amazing stuff '' Following the money ' In a significant shift in the US regulatory environment, the cryptocurrency industry is experiencing a dramatic change in fortunes. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently dropped investigations and cases against major crypto companies including Coinbase COIN 0.00%', OpenSea, Uniswap, and Robinhood HOOD 0.00%'....

Efforts by Republicans in Congress to make steep spending cuts have stirred widespread concerns that the federal government may trim expenditures on Medicaid even though President Donald Trump has previously indicated that he's unwilling to do that. This public health insurance program covers around 72 million people ' about 1 in 5 Americans. The Conversation U.S. asked Paul Shafer and Nicole Huberfeld, Boston University health policy and law professors, to explain why cutting Medicaid spending would be difficult and what the consequences might be. Created in 1965 along with Medicare, the public health insurance program for older Americans, Medicaid pays for the health care needs of low-income adults and children, including more than 1 in 3 people with disabilities. It also covers more than 12 million who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid because they are both poor and over 65. In addition, this safety net program pays the health care costs of more than 2 in 5 U.S. births. Medicaid is a joint federal/state program, driven by federal funding and rules, with the states administering it....

San Francisco-based startup Future Family wants to help ease some of that burden for couples with a new IVF insurance product in the United States. Built with the support of Munich Re Ventures ' the venture arm of global reinsurer Munich Re ' the new offering essentially offers a money-back guarantee to those going through IVF. CEO and co-founder Claire Tomkins likens it to trip insurance. A couple pays 20% insurance upfront before starting an IVF cycle. If they don't have a baby after two cycles or lose the baby within two weeks of birth, they can file a claim to be reimbursed. The cost of two IVF cycles can reach $40,000, depending on location. With Orange Shield, Future Family's new product, the average cost of protection is $3,000 down and $999/month for five months. If treatment doesn't succeed after two rounds, families can get a refund under their IVF insurance policy. Orange Shield is available at participating clinics nationwide. Families can pay either via monthly installments or with lump sum payments. Overall, the policy covers all IVF-related expenses up to the selected coverage limit, with a maximum of $50,000. All eligible treatment costs can be included....