Big Changes at Block: Dorsey Shifts to Function-Based Structure

Big Changes at Block: Dorsey Shifts to Function-Based Structure
Big Changes at Block: Dorsey Shifts to Function-Based Structure

Hey FinTech Fanatic!

Jack Dorsey is set to implement significant changes at Block, the FinTech company known for Cash App, Square, and Tidal. In a recent memo to employees, Dorsey announced a major reorganization aimed at dismantling internal silos and returning to the company's foundational structure.

The memo, titled "fn block," outlines a shift from business unit reporting to a function-based structure, grouping employees by roles such as engineering, design, and sales. This restructuring is intended to enhance collaboration, craftsmanship, and flexibility within the company.

This move is part of a broader transformation at Block, following a series of changes over the past year, including a 10% reduction in staff, the elimination of performance reviews, and the appointment of a new CTO. The restructuring announcement comes ahead of Block's quarterly earnings report on August 1, with shares currently 30% below their 52-week high.

Dorsey acknowledged that the reorganization might feel "big and disruptive or uncomfortable" but emphasized it as a necessary step. Despite the shake-up, no additional layoffs were mentioned. Block's workforce remains capped at 12,000 employees following earlier job cuts.

This overhaul aims to break down barriers and foster a more integrated and efficient organizational structure, positioning Block for future growth and innovation.

Enjoy more FinTech updates I listed for you below and I'll be back with more industry updates tomorrow!

Cheers,

Marcel


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FINTECH NEWS

🇪🇺 NTT Data partners with Lynx to revolutionise fraud detection in the financial services industry. This collaboration will leverage NTT DATA’s network and extensive experience in the banking and finance industry to scale Lynx’s innovative solutions across the UK and European markets.

🇩🇪 PagoNxt – write-downs mask underlying positive performance. Despite the €170m cost of closing down its Munich operations, underlying Q2 performance PagoNxt (a Santander company) has been positive. Volume and revenue were up 9% and EBITDA doubled to €69m.

🇨🇴 Colombian FinTechs Nequi and Bold expand financial services for the migrant population. Both financial platforms surprised in recent weeks by offering several of their services to migrants from Venezuela. Read more

🇦🇪 Network International and Biz2X form an embedded financing agreement. The primary objective of the partnership is to unlock new sources of capital for Network’s SME merchants by leveraging payment transaction data and providing loan underwriters with real-time credit data.

🇧🇷 Lift Lab resumes innovation projects for the Brazillian financial system. The 2023/2024 edition will feature seven projects to enhance the financial innovation ecosystem. These projects include Preventive AML and Compliance, Interoperability Gateway, GreenFi Decentralized Finance for Sustainability, among others. 

🇺🇸 Affirm says CFPB’s proposed BNPL rules will confuse customers. In commenting on the proposal, the BNPL provider said consumers would be better served by rules specific to BNPL transactions, as opposed to credit card regulations. 


PAYMENTS NEWS

🇸🇴 Mastercard has collaborated with Premier Bank, a Sharia-compliant commercial bank in Somalia, to launch Premier Payment Gateway, a digital payments platform that enables Somali businesses to accept international card payments for online purchases. 

🇺🇸 Stripe selects Fifth Third to power embedded financial services. Together, Newline™, by Fifth Third, and Stripe will expand embedded financial services for Stripe’s platform users and their customers. Find out more

🇸🇰 Polish payment service BLIK has expanded its cooperation with one of the largest banks in Slovakia – Tatra banka. Soon, Tatra Banka VIAMO app users can make faster, more convenient, and secure online purchases with the new BLIK payment method available in the coming months.

🇲🇾 FinTech startup Qashier unveiled its QashierPay Soundbox in Malaysia, a QR payment terminal designed to enhance the safety of digital payments and support businesses as they digitise. This new terminal ensures merchants receive immediate auditory alerts upon successful payment receipt.


DIGITAL BANKING NEWS

🇬🇧 10x Banking launches world’s first ‘Meta Core’ to help banks achieve full transformation faster. A meta core solves the challenges of legacy cores and avoids the complex set-up and scale challenges of neo cores, providing a de-risked, accelerated path to full cloud-native transformation.

🇺🇸 JPMorgan Chase has rolled out an inhouse developed Generative AI chatbot to staff, likening it to having a research analyst at your desk. Dubbed LLM Suite, the bot is designed to help with writing, idea generation and summarising documents, executives told staff.

🇳🇬 The African tech landscape is bustling with possibilities, yet the recent challenges faced by local startups following a decision by notable startup favourite Mercury Bank, to shut down accounts linked to Nigeria and several other countries, has been both a rude awakening and a reality check. Here is how homegrown FinTech Verto aims to fill void of Mercury fallout in Africa.

🇺🇸 The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the termination of an enforcement action with Silvergate Bank and its holding company, Silvergate Capital Corporation, both of La Jolla, California. The Board's enforcement action, effective since May 2023, ensured Silvergate would liquidate and wind down operations to protect depositors.


BLOCKCHAIN/CRYPTO NEWS

🇳🇱 One Trading secures regulatory approval for European crypto derivatives trading. This license establishes One Trading as a MiFID II trading venue and marks a significant milestone in the company's multi-year journey with the Dutch Financial Markets Authority (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) to revolutionize the trading of derivatives and bring crypto futures onshore in the EU.

🇨🇭 The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA published guidance on the issuance of stablecoins. In it, it comments on default guarantees, the associated risks and discloses its practice on stablecoins. It further draws attention to the increased risks in the area of money laundering.

🇶🇦 Qatar revisits Crypto stance after ban, promises regulations by end of 2024. "The Digital Asset Framework represents a pivotal milestone in our journey towards fostering innovation and growth," said an official. The lab provides a collaborative space for startups and researchers to explore solutions related to digital assets and blockchain.


DONEDEAL FUNDING NEWS

🇩🇰 Copenhagen-based FinTech startup Female Invest has raised $11.2 million as it looks to expand its education and trading offering. New funding will also go towards expanding the company's offering into the US. Read more

🇺🇸 European VC behind Bolt, Spotify, and Klarna backs this Quickbooks rival in $13.5M round. Rillet has snapped $13.5 million in funding from First Round Capital and Creandum, which recently closed a €500 million fund and invested in Plancraft and doinstruct among others. 

🇸🇦 Saudi-Arabia based FinTech TechMal has raised $1 million in a pre-Seed investment round, led by Al Majidiya Investment Company alongside other investors. The company offers financing solutions to the residential rental sector.

🇬🇧 HPS Investment Partners and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank invest in WealthTech S64. The new capital and strategic partnerships will accelerate S64’s growth and expansion strategy, enhancing its cutting-edge product manufacturing capabilities and proprietary technology platform.


MOVERS & SHAKERS

🇳🇱 ING appoints Daniele Tonella as Chief Technology Officer and member of the Management Board Banking. He will succeed Marnix van Stiphout who has held the role ad interim since 1 November 2023, in addition to his roles as chief operations officer and chief transformation officer. Read on


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