Sword Group Expands Cybersecurity and AI Capabilities with Acquisition of Edinburgh-based iDelta
Sword Group, a FinTech Scotland’s strategic partners, has announced its acquisition of Edinburgh-based fintech iDelta Ltd, a specialist firm focused on customised data solutions, cybersecurity monitoring, AI automation, and fraud analytics.
Founded in Scotland’s thriving tech ecosystem, iDelta has developed a strong reputation for its bespoke solutions in infrastructure and application monitoring, particularly within financial services. Its specialist consultants have created innovative tools for managing Open Banking data APIs and have developed extensions available on the popular Splunk marketplace. These solutions streamline the integration process with third-party technologies, enabling customers to effectively harness their data assets.
Kevin Moreton, CEO of Sword UK, described the move as a strategic step towards enhancing Sword’s capabilities in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, particularly within the financial services sector.
“We’re pleased to welcome iDelta into Sword Group. This acquisition is well-aligned with our strategic vision for 2028 and significantly strengthens our cybersecurity strategy. Combining our expertise will enable us to deliver even greater value to our customers,” Moreton said.
Stuart Robertson from iDelta also welcomed the acquisition, noting the shared commitment between both companies towards innovation and technical excellence.
“Joining Sword opens exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Our strong partnerships with Splunk and Cisco, combined with Sword’s extensive resources, mean we’re perfectly positioned to expand our offerings and accelerate our capabilities,” Robertson said.
Sword Group, known for providing business technology solutions across energy, public, commercial, and financial sectors, currently employs over 600 staff across its UK locations, including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Teesside, and London.
The acquisition underlines Sword Group’s strategic approach to bolstering its technical expertise in critical domains like cybersecurity and AI, reflecting broader industry trends towards greater digital resilience and smarter data utilisation.
FNZ Secures $500 Million to Support Long-Term Growth
Scottish fintech FNZ, a global provider of wealth management platforms, just secured $500 million in new capital from its existing shareholders. This funding will support the company’s long-term sustainable growth.
Strengthening Financial Foundations
The injection of capital will enhance FNZ’s financial stability, providing a solid foundation to support its business strategies and customer relationships. With this strengthened financial position, FNZ is better equipped to navigate the evolving financial services landscape.
A History of Strategic Growth
Since its inception in 2003 by founder Adrian Durham, FNZ has experienced significant growth. The company now partners with over 650 financial institutions and 12,000 wealth managers, administering assets exceeding $1.7 trillion for more than 24 million investors worldwide.
FNZ’s growth strategy has included several key acquisitions:
• 2018: Acquired German investment platform ebase, expanding its European presence.
• 2019: Purchased London-based JHC Systems Ltd, enhancing its wealth management software capabilities.
• 2022: Acquired Appway, a Zurich-based client onboarding firm, to improve client integration processes.
Leadership and Future Outlook
In August 2024, FNZ underwent a leadership transition, appointing Blythe Masters as Group CEO and Roman Regelman as Group President. This change was accompanied by an additional $1 billion investment from existing institutional investors, reflecting confidence in the company’s direction.
Snugg Introduces ‘Carbon Cashback’ for Energy-Savvy Homeowners
Businesses across the UK now have an exciting new opportunity to support their customers in becoming more energy efficient, thanks to Edinburgh-based fintech Snugg. The Carbon Cashback platform, launching initially in beta, enables businesses to offer homeowners annual cash rewards for achieving verified carbon reductions through home energy improvements.
This approach uses smart meter data to track home carbon savings such as those from installing insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels. Snugg then transform those savings into carbon credits for sale in the Voluntary Carbon Market. It’s a powerful incentive for homeowners, tackling one of the most significant barriers they face: the upfront cost of sustainability upgrades.
For businesses, the benefits are equally compelling. Partnering with Snugg offers companies a distinctive proposition to attract and retain customers, reinforcing brand commitment to sustainability. Additionally, participating companies gain valuable insights into customer energy consumption and carbon footprint reductions, crucial data for businesses aiming to lower their Scope 3 emissions and meet net-zero goals.
George Wilson, Carbon Markets Lead at Snugg, explains:
“The Carbon Cashback platform directly addresses the financial barriers homeowners encounter. For businesses, it’s a unique way to differentiate their offerings while actively engaging customers in sustainability initiatives. It also provides access to valuable emissions data, empowering companies to advance their net-zero strategies more effectively.”
The platform’s development was supported by the UK Government’s DESNZ ‘Green Home Finance Accelerator’ programme and has already demonstrated significant interest, with over 90% of testing participants keen to engage. Snugg is actively seeking early adopter businesses to join the beta phase, ahead of the wider market launch planned for later in 2025.
Businesses can play a very important role in accelerating the UK’s residential decarbonisation efforts (a market estimated at £250 billion). Importantly, this isn’t a greenwashing exercise. Rather, it positions businesses as genuine leaders in sustainability, supporting real, measurable carbon reductions.
If you are Interested in becoming a partner or learning more about Carbon Cashback, visit snugg.com/carbon-cashback.
BLK’s £50 Million Funding, a Turning Point for Digital Commodities Trading
The commodities trading industry, historically reliant on traditional methods, has recently seen a surge of digital innovation. At the forefront of this digital revolution is Scottish fintech BLK, a pioneering UK-based online commodities marketplace, which has just secured an impressive £50 million equity investment from Panama-based Nimbus Capital. This substantial funding signals a shift toward technology-driven solutions within an industry ripe for transformation.
Commodities trading, involving everything from metals and energy to agricultural goods, has long suffered from inefficiencies and lack of transparency. Traders frequently navigate complex logistics, opaque pricing structures, and cumbersome administrative processes. BLK’s mission has been clear from the start, to disrupt these traditional trading barriers using advanced technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). With Nimbus Capital’s backing, BLK is now in an even stronger position to realise this vision.
Blockchain technology, well-known for its application in cryptocurrencies, holds immense potential for commodities trading. It enables unprecedented transparency by securely recording each transaction on an immutable ledger. This reduces the risk of fraud and error and fosters greater trust between buyers and sellers. With AI, BLK is further streamlining trade by optimising logistics, forecasting market trends more accurately, and significantly reducing operational costs. These technological advancements will reshape how commodities markets function, offering substantial competitive advantages to early adopters.
The £50 million investment will also directly support BLK’s operational expansion. Key plans include the strategic acquisition of new shipping vessels, which is crucial for expanding BLK’s logistics capabilities. Enhancing logistics will ensure BLK can efficiently meet rising demand, reduce shipping times, and improve the overall reliability of commodity supply chains.
The investment is a clear indication of BLK’s long-term strategy and market ambition. BLK has announced plans to list publicly via an IPO in 2025, a major milestone that will open new avenues for growth, visibility, and investor engagement.
Discover Agentic Workflows, the fintech revolutionising productivity with AI
6 months’ worth of work, completed in under 5 minutes, for less than 1 pence.
It’s a bold claim from Glasgow-based startup Agentic Workflows, and it’s turning heads in the AI space. By taking a highly innovative approach to Generative AI, they’ve built a platform that replaces cumbersome business processes with AI-powered “Agentic Workflows,” dramatically cutting costs, streamlining operations, and enhancing agility.
Rob Spencer, Founder and CTO, has been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology for most of his adult life. He started his career maintaining and calibrating weapon systems on the front line, later moving into IT, initially teaching Computer Science and practical IT at the Royal School of Signals. Following that, he transitioned into Financial Services in the City of London, where he led complex technical rollouts and transformational change initiatives.
It is that transformational change experience which provides the bedrock for Agentic Workflows. Imagine your company completing six months of work in under five minutes, at a fraction of the cost—how would that revolutionise your organisation’s productivity, customer service, and competitive edge?
Now, as a proud new member of the Fintech Scotland community, Agentic Workflows is eager to engage with fellow innovators, scale-ups, and established enterprises alike. Fintech firms often grapple with regulatory compliance, KYC processes, fraud detection, and operational inefficiencies, areas where AI-driven workflows could deliver immense value. By automating repetitive tasks and leveraging advanced data analytics, businesses can enhance their operational resilience, reduce costs, and streamline onboarding or transactional processes.
Moreover, generative AI has the potential to transform how customer interactions are handled, delivering hyper-personalised financial solutions and insights. Agentic Workflows’ platform aims to bridge the gap between technology potential and real-world application, helping firms quickly deploy AI solutions without the typical complexities and overheads of large-scale software projects. As the fintech ecosystem continues to evolve, partnering with an agile AI platform can be a powerful way to stay ahead in a competitive market.
With the technology developed and the platform built, Agentic Workflows is now looking to understand the challenges you face. If you’re exploring ways to harness the transformative power of AI within your organisation, or if you simply want to discover the art of the possible, please get in touch via the Agentic Workflows website. We look forward to collaborating with you and helping shape the future of financial services in Scotland and beyond.
Scottish Building Society and Legado to Enhance Member Communication
The Scottish Building Society is partnering with Scottish fintech Legado to improve the digital experience for members while aligning with the Society’s broader sustainability objectives.
A Digital-First Approach to Member Engagement
Scottish Building Society has long provided savings accounts and mortgage services and continues to evolve by embracing digital transformation. This latest partnership with Legado introduces an advanced communication platform designed to provide a seamless, secure, and user-friendly experience.
Legado, headquartered in Edinburgh, supports financial services brands across the UK, including FNZ, Moneyhub, and Co-op Legal Services. The company specialises in digital solutions that enhance customer engagement by offering a more structured and intuitive way to manage financial interactions.
Supporting Sustainability Through Paperless Processes
One of the key benefits of this partnership is the move towards paperless communication. By reducing the reliance on physical documents, the Society aims to lower printing and postage costs and reinforce its commitment to net zero targets. This initiative supports both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, reflecting the broader trends within the financial services industry towards digital-first strategies.
Paul Denton, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Society, said.
“Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always looking at ways to improve their experience with us and to ease the journey for new members. Legado’s technology enables us to do exactly that, while allowing us to progress towards our net zero goals”.
A Commitment to Innovation and Service Excellence
The collaboration between the Society and Legado is a reflection of changing member expectations. Consumers increasingly seek more streamlined, personalised interactions with financial institutions. Scottish Building Society will be able to offer an improved digital journey for its members, strengthening communication channels and enhancing overall service delivery.
Josif Grace, CEO and Founder of Legado, highlighted the value of the partnership:
“Scottish Building Society will now be able to deliver a more streamlined, secure, and effective communication experience for its valued members. While we work with financial services brands across the UK, it’s great to be working with their team here in Edinburgh where we’re also headquartered.”
Regulatory Horizon Scanning Reinvented by HAELO
According to Thomson Reuters, a new regulatory update is issued every seven minutes. Compliance is critical and relies on manual monitoring methods which is simply no longer viable. That’s why HAELO has launched REGENESIS, a cutting-edge regulatory horizon scanning solution designed to revolutionise how financial institutions navigate compliance challenges.
The Journey to Innovation
HAELO’s journey towards REGENESIS began with a bold step into the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab’s (FRIL) first innovation call in 2024. This led to a transformative twelve-week collaboration with industry mentor Joanne Seagrave, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Tesco Bank, and her team. The partnership allowed HAELO to refine its vision, tailor a real-world use case, and build a proof of concept that directly addresses the increasing regulatory burden faced by financial institutions worldwide.
REGENESIS
Regulatory change is more than a compliance issue, it’s a business risk and operational challenge. Financial services firms must not only track, interpret, and implement new regulations but do so at scale and speed. REGENESIS cuts through the noise by combining expert curation, automation, and advanced data analytics, transforming regulatory monitoring from a labour-intensive process into a strategic advantage.
Key Benefits of REGENESIS:
- Comprehensive Global Intelligence – Aggregates insights from hundreds of regulators and millions of documents in one accessible platform.
- Rapid, Actionable Insight – Provides instant clarity on regulatory changes, enabling firms to make informed decisions faster.
- Future-Proof Compliance – Keeps financial institutions ahead of the curve, ensuring resilience in an unpredictable regulatory landscape.
To showcase its potential, HAELO is offering an exclusive, complimentary three-month trial of REGENESIS for financial services firms. This is an opportunity to explore how automation, expert-driven intelligence, and advanced analytics can enhance regulatory threat intelligence, improve accuracy, and reduce compliance costs.
Secure your trial today by contacting HAELO at Let’s Chat | HAELO.io
Scotcoin makes its debut on the MEXC cryptocurrency exchange
Scottish fintech Scotcoin made its debut on the MEXC cryptocurrency exchange. With a combined token valuation of $250 million (£200 million) and a trading paired with Tether (USDT), the world’s most liquid stablecoin, this listing represents a major development for the ethically driven digital currency.
Scotcoin isn’t just another token on the blockchain. It’s a mission-driven movement, with a firm commitment to social good, sustainability, and financial inclusivity. Scotcoin is setting itself apart by proving that digital assets can be a force for positive change.
What This Means for Scotcoin and Its Community
Being listed on MEXC, a top 20 global exchange with an average daily trading volume of $3 billion, will provide greater accessibility, liquidity, and credibility for Scotcoin. This move paves the way for mass adoption, allowing thousands more individuals, businesses, and charities to integrate Scotcoin into everyday transactions.
The listing is also a catalyst for expansion. Funds raised will be channelled into recruiting a dedicated full-time management team for The Scotcoin Project Community Interest Company (CIC). This will supercharge efforts to expand the Scotcoin ecosystem, developing partnerships with organisations that accept Scotcoin as a form of payment for goods and services.
A Crypto With a Cause
Unlike many cryptocurrencies that focus purely on speculation, Scotcoin’s vision is linked to community impact. Since its inception, it has backed initiatives providing food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. This next chapter will see Scotcoin directly distributed, via approved agencies, to third sector groups and vulnerable communities, ensuring that blockchain technology serves real-world humanitarian needs.
With over 6,000 holders globally and a growing number of charitable partnerships, Scotcoin is proving that crypto can be about more than just profits, it can be about people.
Commenting on this milestone, Temple Melville, CEO of The Scotcoin Project, said:
“This listing is a huge step forward in our journey. It not only increases accessibility for individuals, businesses, and charities, but also allows us to build a stronger, purpose-driven ecosystem. With a dedicated team, we can now focus on expanding partnerships and—most importantly—providing greater support to those in need.”
What Existing Scotcoin Holders Need to Know
To ensure a smooth transition, existing Scotcoin holders must exchange their old tokens for new ones before trading. Full details on how to do this securely are available on the official Scotcoin website: scotcoinproject.com
Sustainable Fintech Firm ESG360° Expands in Glasgow
ESG360°, a sustainability-focused fintech company, announces plans to expand its operations in the Glasgow. The London-based firm has secured a £1 million grant from Scottish Enterprise to support its growth, with ambitions to create over 30 high-value jobs in the next three years.
Founded to help businesses navigate the complexities of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, ESG360° set up its Glasgow office last year. With this investment, it aims to scale its operations, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a hub for fintech innovation.
Why Glasgow?
For ESG360°, Glasgow offers the ideal mix of talent, innovation, and collaboration. The city has a strong fintech ecosystem, bolstered by institutions like the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde and organisations such as FinTech Scotland.
Anj Chadha, Founder and CEO of ESG360°, sees the expansion as a step towards delivering greater impact: “Glasgow is the ideal location for our next phase of growth. This grant from Scottish Enterprise is a vote of confidence in our vision and our ability to deliver measurable impact for businesses worldwide.”
ESG360°’’s expansion is also backed by Invest Glasgow, which provided a property grant, and FinTech Scotland, which recognised the company as one of the winners of its ‘Shaping the Future of ESG in Financial Services’ innovation call, awarding it some more funding to develop their solution. These partnerships are helping ESG360° build strong links with Scotland’s financial and academic institutions, enhancing its capabilities in ESG compliance and fintech innovation.
The Growing Role of ESG in Fintech
Recent research from Bain & Company suggests that nearly 90% of business leaders across Europe, the US, and Asia recognise the need for advanced technologies to achieve sustainability goals. ESG360° believes its AI-powered ESG platform is well-positioned to meet this demand.
Fintech and sustainability are increasingly intertwined, with businesses needing smarter tools to track their ESG commitments. ESG360°’’s platform leverages AI and data analytics to provide businesses with clear, actionable ESG insights, helping them comply with evolving regulations and investor expectations.
Scotland’s Fintech Momentum
The fintech sector in Scotland has been on a steady rise, growing tenfold since 2018 and now supporting over 11,000 jobs. Business Minister Richard Lochhead highlighted the importance of ESG360°’’s expansion:
“The fintech sector has grown 10-fold in Scotland since 2018 and supports more than 11,000 jobs. This welcome expansion by ESG360° shows the pace is not slowing and demonstrates Scotland’s position as the natural home for businesses operating at the cutting edge of data, technology and sustainability.”
Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland, highlighted the significance of ESG in fintech’s future:
“At FinTech Scotland we believe that harnessing technology and collaboration can accelerate sustainable finance solutions. ESG360°’’s approach reinforces the role of fintech in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future, strengthening Scotland’s position as a leading fintech cluster.”
Scottish Enterprise’s support for ESG360° aligns with its broader economic strategy. One of its long-term goals is to double the number of scale-up businesses in Scotland over the next decade by focusing on high-growth industries, including fintech.
Reuben Aitken, Managing Director of International Operations at Scottish Enterprise, echoed this sentiment:
“We’re genuinely delighted that ESG360° has chosen Glasgow as the location to scale its business. It joins a growing number of internationally headquartered fintech companies who’ve set up operations in the city due to its reputation as a centre of talent, innovation and collaboration.”
Generative AI, Blockchain & Beyond: The Trends Defining Fintech’s Next Era
Block written by Kristiana Sylvester, Client Services Associate at fintech TreasurySpring.
The fintech landscape is evolving at lightning speed, fuelled by pioneers embracing cutting-edge technologies to transform financial services. From democratising cash investments to revolutionising payments and lending, start-ups are breaking down barriers and redefining access to financial resources. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur launching a fintech venture or an investor seeking the next big breakthrough, staying ahead in this dynamic space means staying informed, adaptable, and innovation-ready. Let’s dive into some key trends driving the fintech revolution.
Generative AI: Revolutionising Financial Services
Generative AI is reshaping industries, and fintech is no exception. By driving innovation in customer interactions, decision-making, and operational efficiencies, AI is enabling firms to outperform competitors and redefine benchmarks. Intelligent chatbots and automated decision-making are just the beginning. According to Gartner, 80% of financial firms are expected to adopt AI by 2026, with investments projected to reach $118 billion by 2032[1]. This rapid adoption is empowering institutions to deliver hyper-personalised solutions, improving both customer satisfaction and financial outcomes.
Blockchain: Disrupting Banking and Lending
Inefficiencies have long plagued core banking services such as loans, mortgages and payments. Enter blockchain, a technology streamlining operations, reducing counterparty risks, and accelerating settlement times. By enabling secure, real-time verification of KYC/AML data and financial documents, blockchain minimises operational risks and simplifies credit scoring. Furthermore, the digitisation of assets facilitates real-time collateral management and regulatory compliance. Major players like PayPal, Mastercard, and American Express are leading this disruption, proving that blockchain is more than just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer.
Democratising cash investing
Gone are the days when premium investment opportunities were reserved for institutional players. Fintech platforms and mobile apps now empower individuals and smaller firms to invest excess cash efficiently, bypassing traditional intermediaries like brokers. With streamlined onboarding and access to niche products, users can monitor portfolios in real time, minimising risk, and maximising returns. This shift to direct control over investments is transforming cash management and enabling businesses to operate like sophisticated financial institutions.
Our company, TreasurySpring, is a good example of this this democratisation by providing unparalleled access to highly rated cash investments called “FTFs” (Fixed-Term-Funds) via an intuitive digital platform. It unlocks access to governments, investment-grade banks, and corporations, spanning multiple currencies. TreasurySpring simplifies cash management for entities ranging from FTSE 100 firms to start-ups and enables clients to manage liquidity with the same sophistication as large institutions.
Reinvention as the Key to Longevity
The fintech space is a constant race to innovate. For companies, success hinges on reinvention—shifting from one growth curve to the next before stagnation sets in. However, only a handful of companies manage to make this leap successfully when the time comes, often because they initiate the reinvention process too late. According to Accenture, the pace of change has surged 183% since 2019, and 83% of organisations have accelerated transformation efforts in response[2]. By adopting emerging technologies and fostering a culture of adaptation, businesses can not only survive but thrive in this fast-changing environment.
[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4726631
[2]https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/consulting/total-enterprise-reinvention