Today In Payments: Goldman Launches Marcus Invest; Europe Eyes Amsterdam As Center For SPACs

In today’s top news, Goldman launched its investment app, Marcus Invest, and Amsterdam steps out as the center for European SPACs. Plus, Marqeta looks to April for its IPO.

Goldman Launches Marcus Invest To Target Retail Investor

Goldman Sachs is launching Marcus Invest, a digital platform that will be integrated into the existing Marcus app and website and will facilitate automated stock buys. Marcus Invest will automatically make investments in stocks and bonds based on predetermined criteria.

Europe Eyes Amsterdam As Center For SPACs

Investors are looking to Amsterdam as the center for special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in Europe. The Amsterdam stock exchange has an early lead in developing SPAC expertise, as SPAC leaders are drawn to the Dutch capital because of its flexibility and global reputation.

Marqeta Files With SEC, Could IPO In April

Marqeta, the U.S.-based payment card issuing startup, has filed confidentially for an initial public offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC). The IPO, which the company aims to complete as early as April, could value Marqeta at $10 million.

Amazon Goes Down Under To Acquire Shopify Rival Selz

Amazon quietly closed a deal in January to acquire 7-year-old Australian startup Selz. The company, a competitor to Shopify, assists eCommerce firms in advancing digital sales. The deal aligns with the eCommerce giant’s focus on third-party sellers.

Report: Crypto Exchanges Thread The Needle Between Compliance And Privacy

Staying compliant while respecting user privacy concerns have forced cryptocurrency exchanges to rethink their approach to know your customer (KYC) requirements. In this month’s AML/KYC Tracker, PYMNTS talked with Caitlin Barnett, U.S. chief compliance officer at Bitstamp, about how exchanges can thread this needle with transaction analysis systems.

Old Guard Vs. Vanguard: Banks, FinTechs, Big Tech Duke It Out Over Digital-First

What does the Super Bowl LV matchup between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have in common with the FinTech/incumbent financial institution match-up over moving legacy systems digital-first? As it turns out, quite a lot, as Kelly Switt, head of financial services at Red Hat; Mick Fennell, head of payments at Temenos; and PYMNTS’ Karen Webster debated in the latest PYMNTS TV segment.

Wall Street’s Great Democratization Needs More Than Just Investing Technology

Reddit and Robinhood aside, what lies ahead for stock investing platforms in the bid to open up investing to the tech-savvy masses? Education, perhaps, and a bit of restraint, as Goldman and others bring new trading access to younger investors.