Ryan Lawler

Philadelphia

Fintech Reporter at Axios

Fintech and Philly sports (not necessarily in that order) | tips: [email protected]

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Articles

Circle boosts IPO range to target $7.5B valuation

5 days ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler |Lucinda Shen

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosStablecoin issuer Circle upsized and boosted its IPO price range on Monday, with the company and its backers now expecting to net up to $896 million, from $624 million. Why it matters: Circle is the first pure-play crypto listing since Coinbase in 2021, making its reception a bellwether for stablecoin economics.
Chime targets $11B valuation

5 days ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler |Lucinda Shen

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Shoshana Gordon/AxiosNeobank startup Chime Financial is seeking to raise up to $673.4 million in an IPO that would value it at about $11.1 billion on a fully diluted basis, the company disclosed in an SEC filing Monday. Why it matters: Chime's IPO marks a sharp reset from its lofty 2021 valuation. Driving the news: Chime and shareholders plans to sell 32 million Class A shares at $24 to $26 apiece.
Palla lands $14.5M for embedded cross-border payments

1 week ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Palla, a startup that embeds cross-border payments into banking apps, has raised a $14.5 million Series A round led by Revolution Ventures, CEO Enrique Perezalonso tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: Cross-border payments remain inefficient and expensive, particularly across emerging markets. Context: While most remittance companies are focused on direct-to-consumer business models, Palla operates on a B2B2C model that lets banks offer a Zelle-like experience for cross-border money movement.
Stablecoin issuer Circle targets $6.7B valuation in IPO

1 week ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Lindsey Bailey/AxiosCircle Internet, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, is seeking to raise $624 million in an IPO that will value it at $6.7 billion, the company disclosed in an SEC filing Tuesday. Why it matters: The IPO will be a key test of Wall Street's appetite for regulated stablecoin businesses. Driving the news: Circle and its shareholders are offering 24 million shares of its Class A stock for $24 to $26 a piece.
Stablecoin-based payments platform Beam raises $7M

1 week ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Beam, a startup building a stablecoin-based payment service provider (PSP), raised $7 million in new funding, founder Dan Mottice tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: Stablecoin rails enable fintechs to avoid bank corridors and settle dollars anywhere in seconds. Context: Before founding Beam, Mottice worked at Visa and led the integration of crypto capabilities into the payment giant's product suite.
Fintech venture firm Gilgamesh Ventures raises $20M Fund II

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Tiffany Herring/AxiosFintech-focused Gilgamesh Ventures has raised a $20 million Fund II to invest in early-stage startups, founder Miguel Armaza tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: Emerging VC managers have faced significant challenges fundraising amid broader market uncertainty. Context: Gilgamesh Ventures' first fund launched with about $10 million, which was invested primarily in seed-stage fintech startups.
Munich Re Ventures closes $125M built-world tech fund

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Tiffany Herring/AxiosMunich Re Ventures has closed HSB Fund II, a new $125 million vehicle to invest in the "built world," managing general partner Jacqueline Le Sage tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: The new fund signals its venture commitment as economic uncertainty renews investor interest in industrial digitization, cybersecurity, and energy transition.
SMB credit card startup Affiniti raises $17M

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Affiniti, a startup offering co-branded credit card programs through small business trade associations, has raised $17 million in Series A funding, its founders tell Axios. Why it matters: The company plans to use AI-powered tools built for specific industries to bring financial intelligence to underserved SMBs.Context: Affiniti partners with trade associations to offer co-branded credit cards and white-labeled financial tools customized to vertical sectors like pharmacy, HVAC and auto.
Payoneer's CEO discusses the company's M&A strategy

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentPhoto illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of PayoneerNew York-based Payoneer just passed its 20th anniversary, evolving from a niche cross-border payments startup into a global platform serving millions of small and midsize businesses. Why it matters: Payoneer is turning to strategic M&A to add to its product suite and expand in new markets. That includes last year's acquisition of Skuad, which added employee payroll and benefits to its offerings.
Miter, a payroll platform for construction, raises $38M

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Ryan Lawler

Axios Pro Exclusive ContentIllustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosMiter, a startup providing the construction industry back-office tools, has raised $38 million in total funding, founder Connor Watumull tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: Contractors who make payroll errors risk withheld payments and steep fines, so software that automatically handles specialized wage calculations saves them time and liability.