Today in FinTech: Bamba Snags $3.2M; Block Shifts Focus to Blockchain

In today’s FinTech news, Block, formerly known as Square, wants people to stop thinking of them as a payments-only company and will now be emphasizing its music streaming and cryptocurrency divisions. Plus, gamblers using Hard Rock Sportsbook can now move money back and forth in real time between their bank account and digital wallet.

Kenyan Software Startup Bamba Secures $3.2M Seed Funding

Enterprise software startup Bamba is using its seed capital to hire additional talent for its engineering team, enhance its app and grow its user base. The company is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and develops mobile-first enterprise software for micro-merchants in Africa. The $3.2 million round was led by 468 Capital.

Nuvei Gives Hard Rock Sportsbook Instant Deposit, Payout Capabilities

Hard Rock Sportsbook is now offering players the ability to instantly deposit funds to and from their gaming wallet to their bank account. The sports gaming platform partnered with Nuvei and uses its Instant Bank Transfer technology, which is integrated with The Clearing House’s real-time payments (RTP) network.

Dorsey: Block Shifting From Payments-Only Focus With Blockchain Emphasis

Block is moving to reposition its identity away from a payments-only firm to an all-encompassing ecosystem. He said Block initially will expand its focus on cryptocurrency and music streaming, and as the company evolves, bitcoin will have an increasingly important role.

Apis Invests in B2B Micropayments Platform DT One

B2B digital micropayments platform DT One received an undisclosed amount of funding from private equity fund Apis Growth Fund II. The Singapore-based company is using the new capital to grow its footprint, explore acquisitions, and enter into strategic partnerships. DT One’s platform enables cross-border mobile micropayments in the form of additional airtime and data top-ups that can be used for gaming pins and gift cards.

Mollie Teams with in3 for BNPL in the Netherlands

Amsterdam-based payments firm Mollie and Eindhoven’s buy now, pay later (BNPL) startup in3 are partnering to offer interest-free installments across the Netherlands. BNPL payments are offered by in3 via the Dutch payment system iDEAL, which facilitates direct online transfers from consumers’ bank accounts.