This week's list of top stories in fintech:

SEC rejects VanEck ETF that sought to track bitcoin directly

• News came out late Friday last week
• Application by the Cboe CBZ Exchange filed in March
• SEC wants Cboe to do more to prevent fraudulent trading to protect investors
• Several other bitcoin ETF applications are pending

German Digital Bank N26 to Withdraw From the U.S., Close 500,000 Accounts

• N26 will discontinue in the US early next year
• In Jan 2019 CEO said they have a “huge shot to be the leading mobile bank in the U.S.”
• Have had regulatory issues in Germany
• Will try to redeploy U.S. employees in other areas

Credit card start-up Upgrade jumps 83% in valuation in just four months to $6.28 billion

• Closed $280m Series F led by Coatue Management and DST Global
• Revenue climbed 70% from June to October, valuation climbed 83%
• Main product is now the Upgrade card, the fastest growing credit card in the country.
• Be ready to go public in 2023

Visa Tumbles on Amazon Ban in U.K. as Fight on Card Fees Expands

• Amazon will stop accepting UK Visa cards in January 2022 (credit cards only)
• They cited the cost of accepting card payments

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