Ten years ago, Bnext was the great hope of fintech. They ended up crashing

Founded in 2016 by Guillermo Vicandi, Bnext It was born as a fintech alternative to traditional banking. In fact, their visible heads assured that it was not a bank, despite offering an account and card. The growth was as fast as the fall. After the collapse of its cryptocurrency, The app announced its closure on April 13. What was Bnext. It was not a bank, that’s what its creators constantly said. It was an electronic money entity (EDE) alternative to traditional banking. In practice, it offered what a bank offers: account, card, loans, insurance, currency purchases, investment plans. The difference was the model: Bnext always acted as an intermediary, connecting the user with the best products on the market through a single app. No offices, no paper, no queues. The golden age. In 2019, Bnext was one of the most visible projects on the Spanish fintech scene. became the fintech that grew the most in Spainwith more than 156,000 registered users and more than 100,000 active clients holding a Bnext VISA. Your second round of financing It closed with 22 million eurosthe highest figure seen in Spain (in 2019) since the Valencian Hawkers raised 55 million euros. That same year, they partnered with giants like MyInvestor to offer financial products. The stumble. Bnext’s first setback comes a year later, in 2021, after its landing in Latin America. Its partner, Cacao Paycard, did not obtain authorization to operate from the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), which translated into a fine of 2.6 million Mexican pesos (about 150,000 euros at the current exchange rate) to Bnext for misleading communication. There was no plan B. Bnext had to cease operations in Mexico, close all its accounts and lose more than 230,000 clients who had trusted the company prior to the sanctions. Meanwhile. In Spain, alternatives like Revolut were growing like wildfire, and Bnext was beginning to run out of oxygen. In 2021, they decided to ally with Algorand, a blockchain firm that became one of the company’s main shareholders. After the alliance they announced their own token: B3X. The play didn’t go well. On March 1, 2022, it was launched to the public with a starting price of two euro cents. Today it cannot even operate from the app, since the service has been dismantled. Its price before the debacle: 0.00006 US cents. What happens to Bnext users. Bnext accounts and cards have already been canceled and the product is no longer marketed. No payments, transfers or receipts can be uploaded. Payroll cannot be received The balance of the account may be requested during a repayment period of 20 years Cryptocurrency management is referred to Onyze… via email User data will be deleted in accordance with the GDPR You will no longer have access to the marketplace services Bnext was once the great hope of Spanish fintech. Now rest in peace. What will become of the company. The company gives the finishing touch to its app, but does not completely cease its operations. “The fintech business and market has changed considerably, and with this, we have had to pivot our value proposition. After several years offering products to the end consumer and in an increasingly competitive environment and with more complex regulation, we have decided to take a step towards the future, focusing on helping companies launch their own payment products.” Guillermo Vicandi, CEO of Bnext. Bnext closes as a neobank, but pivots towards financial infrastructure services. In Xataka | Europe had been asking for a big hit on the table for some time. Revolut just gave it a huge valuation

a logical evolution in a context where fintech increasingly offers more services

PayPal has introduced a formal request before the US authorities to establish PayPal Bank, a banking entity that would allow it to expand its financial services beyond digital payments. The idea is that first, the company can offer loans to small businesses and savings accounts with interest to its customers. It would be the first step in a logical evolution in a context in which all fintech companies are committed to offering more and more services. Strategy. PayPal has filed for approval with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions to create a Utah-based industrial lending company. This type of entity can make loans, hold FDIC-insured deposits, and be owned by a non-financial institution. The objective: financial autonomy. According to declared PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, “raising capital remains a significant obstacle for small businesses looking to grow and scale.” The creation of PayPal Bank would reduce its dependence on third parties to provide financing, improving operational efficiency. According to the firm’s account, since 2013, PayPal has facilitated more than $30 billion in loans and capital to more than 420,000 business accounts around the world. A favorable regulatory context. This step by PayPal comes at a time of regulatory opening in this area under the Trump administration. Just like they count From Bloomberg, last week, five cryptocurrency platforms, including Ripple and Circle, received preliminary approval to establish national trust banks. Until a few years ago, approval was perceived as a complicated path. The fintech trend towards banking. PayPal joins a wave of financial technology companies seeking to become regulated banking entities. According to collect the Financial Times, Brazil’s Nubank and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase have all applied for banking licenses this year. As a curiosity, other firms that a priori might have nothing to do with this sector, such as Nissan Motor and Sony Group, have also submitted similar requests. Even “buy now, pay later” platforms like Klarna and Affirm have launched debit cards, competing directly with traditional entities. Between the lines. The fintech sector is maturing, with a special ambition to offer financial services of all kinds. PayPal already has a banking license in Luxembourg, and in fact this makes it considered a banking entity throughout the European Union. The direction it wants to take in the United States would be the first step to consolidate its status as a global financial entity. The company also seeks to connect directly with American credit and debit card networks, eliminating intermediaries in its payment operations. Leading PayPal Bank will be Mara McNeill, former CEO of Toyota Financial Savings Bank. Stock market performance. Despite the announcement, which has driven shares up 1.5% in the extended market, according to CNBCPayPal is going through a difficult year on the stock market. The firm accumulates a drop of 29% in 2025, while the S&P 500 has risen almost 16% in the same period. However, in October the company reported quarterly revenue of $8.42 billion, up 7% year-over-year and above analyst expectations. Cover image | Brett Jordan In Xataka | Elon Musk’s fortune has exceeded $600 billion: SpaceX is not only breaking records in space

The English Court changed the credit card model. And along the way it has become a Fintech

In just two years, El Corte Inglés has financed 1,372 million euros in purchases outside its commercial universe, according to reports Expansion. All for allowing you to use your card anywhere in the world. A silent transformation that has made these department stores an unexpected rival for traditional banks and Fintech emerging. Why is it important. With 11.7 million cards in circulation, the chain has converted its loyalty program of the sixties into a powerful financial weapon. Has moved more money than many Fintech that aspire to revolutionize the sector. The transformation. The change arrived in 2022 Thanks to an agreement with Mastercard. For the first time in its history, the card was the surroundings of the department stores to compete with the banks in neutral territory. The strategy is being a success. They maintain traditional advantages (interestless payments up to 60 days in ECI, 30 in other shops) but add functionalities Fintech: mobile application, notifications Pushcontrol of limits and geolocated promotions. The numbers. The total volume of the card reached 3,778 million euros in 2023, adding internal and external purchases. It is far from the 2018 record (4,895 million), but the new modality is growing. 1,372 million financed outside ECI in two years. Only 191 million in modality Revolving (Interest of 19.56% TAE). Free: without issuance or maintenance expenses. 4% bonus in Repsol for future purchases. The play. The English Court already had the largest loyalty clients in Spain. I just needed to open the doors. A much more interesting and advantageous play than the Fintech forced to find users from scratch. Yes, but. His proposal remains conservative. The revolving model barely represents 5% of the business, well below the standards Fintech. They prefer the safe margin of the interestless interest that monetize via cross consumption. The threat. For traditional banks, the English Court represents something worse than a Fintech Disruptive: a competitor with financial muscle, a huge customer base and brand credibility built for decades. Financiera El Corte Inglés, 51% controlled by Santander since 2013is the giant of consumption financing in Spain. In perspective. The chain has achieved what many financial startups only dream of: monetizing an existing user base without burning millions of euros in marketing. Its competitive advantage is not so much the technology and the confidence of 11.7 million Spaniards who already carry their card in the portfolio. In Xataka | Mercadona earns more and more money selling money, no food: the effect of interest rates on their results Outstanding image | Financiera El Corte Inglés

As of today, ATMs are also a revolution thing. Fintech launches its first physical network, and starts with Spain

Which It started as a way to send and spend money Without commissions, a bank has ended up looking more and more. Revolutionwhich ten years ago was born in the United Kingdom as an app designed to simplify finances, it has become One of the most valuable Fintech in the sector. And his last play makes it clear: his own ATMs. Yes, ATMs. An idea that would have been difficult to fit in its early years, when it was unmarked from the traditional. But now it is a reality. The former will arrive in Spain, and not anywhere: the debut will be in the Spring Sound from Barcelonawhich starts today and extends until June 8. Spain, Revolution’s first physical laboratory. The company has chosen Spain to release its first physical product: a network of ATMs developed entirely in its Techhub in Barcelona. According to Revolution, the initial phase includes 50 terminals between Madrid and Barcelona, ​​which will be expanded until reaching 200 throughout the country. The former will be located at large points such as Avinguda Diagonal or Toledo Street, and can be located from the app by an interactive map. Barcelona’s choice is not accidental. The city not only houses one of the strategic development centers of the company, but also represents, according to the company itself, a key piece in its European expansion map. In fact, Revolution plans to take this network to other countries such as Germany, Italy or Portugal from 2026. Happy ATMs for a digital customer. The new ATMs do not look like the usual. They are designed with a modern interface, touch navigation, compatibility with contactless payments and multilingual support. They also offer functions designed to reduce friction: withdrawals without additional commissions for Revolution clients and immediate delivery of physical cards. Free withdrawals will be available both nationally and internationally and intra -Europe. For non -customers, the service will also be available “with a competitive commission.” In addition, Revolution plans to incorporate in the future the dynamic conversion option of currency (DCC), which will allow you to choose between the exchange rate of the emitter bank or that of Revolution at the time of withdrawal. And he will not remain in retired. The company also plans to enable cash deposits in later phases, thus expanding the range of accessible services from these physical points. The physical step of a 100 % digital experience. In the words of Manjot Bhati, Operating Partner of Revolution, “to launch our own ATMs network a decisive step in our mission of offering a truly global financial experience and without friction.” As we can see, with this movement, Fintech seeks to expand its footprint beyond the app. It is not a minor change. Revolut was born as a 100 % digital actor, without physical offices or windows. His commitment to their own ATMs suggests a new stage: one in which the physical does not contradict digital, but complements it. A stage where the cashier is no longer just an cash machine. We will have to see if this movement translates into a new success. Images | Aleksandrs Karevs In Xataka | Revolution is not just a threat to traditional banks. Now it is also for Teleoperators

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.