This week's list of top stories in fintech:

Microsoft dives into Web3 with investment in Ethereum co-founder’s start-up ConsenSys

• ConsenSys now worth $7 billion with this $450m
• Led by ParaFi Capital, with participation from Microsoft, SoftBank and Temasek
• One of the first crypto-related investments for Microsoft
• Blockchain startups raised $25.2b in 2021

The EU voted not to ban bitcoin

• The MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets)  legislation advanced Monday with no ban on proof of work based crypto
• The EU aim to have a regulatory framework for digital assets by 2025
• The bill is now headed to further negotiations

Apple Is Crypto’s Biggest Wild Card

• CFPB began inquiry into BNPL in Dec 2021
• BNPL had until March 1 to provide answers to the regulator’s questions.
• Deadline for consumer comments is March 25
• CFPB will issue a set of reports on what they might do.
• Public complaint database found Affirm had the most complaints

CFPB urged to act quickly on buy now/pay later loans

• CFPB began inquiry into BNPL in Dec 2021
• BNPL had until March 1 to provide answers to the regulator’s questions.
• Deadline for consumer comments is March 25
• CFPB will issue a set of reports on what they might do.
• Public complaint database found Affirm had the most complaints

Quadrata launches data passport for AML in DeFi

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