How real-time data is redefining insurance & UK dominates Q1 European FinTech deals

How real-time data and dynamic pricing are revolutionising insurance coverage - As personalisation becomes the heartbeat of modern consumerism, the insurance industry is the latest to embrace a radical reimagining of its role in our lives. Harnessing the pulse of real-time data drawn from wearables, telematics, and smart homes, insurers can weave policies that mould seamlessly to the rhythms of individual lives. This promises to elevate customer experiences but also extend a lifeline to overlooked communities while curbing risks through proactive, behaviour-shaping incentives. Yet, as the sector surges toward this brave new world, it must confront thorny questions of privacy, navigate a tangle of outdated regulations, and craft digital interfaces that resonate with human needs. Read the full story here.

Research highlight

UK firms secured a third of the top 10 European FinTech deals as funding fell by 26% in Q1

UK firms secured a third of the top 10 European FinTech deals as funding fell by 26% in Q1

Key European FinTech investment stats in Q1 2025:

• European FinTech funding fell by 26% YoY in Q1 2025
• UK firms secured a third of the top 10 European FinTech deals as they dominated the region
• Solaris, a German Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider enabling companies to integrate digital banking, payments, lending, and compliance solutions without holding a banking licence, secured one of the largest European FinTech deals of the quarter with a $145m Series G funding round

European FinTech funding fell by 26% YoY in Q1 2025

In Q1 2025, the European FinTech sector raised $5.4bn across 185 deals, representing a 26% decline in funding and a steep 59% drop in deal volume compared to Q1 2024, which recorded $7.3bn raised over 456 deals.

This sharp downturn reflects both reduced investor appetite and a more selective funding environment, as macroeconomic headwinds and tighter capital markets continue to weigh on early-stage and growth investments.

The disproportionate fall in deal count relative to capital raised suggests that larger, later-stage funding rounds are sustaining total investment figures, even as early-stage activity softens across the continent.

UK firms secured a third of the top 10 European FinTech deals as they dominated the region

The United Kingdom remained the dominant player in both quarters, though its share of top 10 deals decreased from six in Q1 2024 to three in Q1 2025, highlighting a relative cooling of its leadership position.

Germany and France maintained a consistent presence, with one top deal each in both periods.

However, The Netherlands, which secured one of the top 10 deals in Q1 2024, dropped out of the rankings in Q1 2025.

In contrast, new entrants such as Switzerland (two top deals), Malta, Portugal, and Jersey emerged, pointing to a broader diversification of FinTech activity across smaller or previously underrepresented markets.

This shift signals a gradual dispersion of capital beyond the traditional Western European powerhouses, as investors increasingly explore innovation hubs in niche or emerging financial jurisdictions.

Solaris, a German Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider enabling companies to integrate digital banking, payments, lending, and compliance solutions without holding a banking licence, secured one of the largest European FinTech deals of the quarter with a $145m Series G funding round

The investment, led by Japan’s SBI Group alongside existing client Boerse Stuttgart Group and several other strategic partners, also marks a significant shift in Solaris’ ownership, with SBI acquiring a majority stake.

The capital injection comes amid ongoing restructuring efforts, including a reduction of Solaris’ workforce by one-third and the divestment of its UK-based Engage business.

The funding will support the Berlin-based firm’s path to profitability, bolster its core capital base, and accelerate market expansion opportunities.

Following a $100m financial guarantee in 2023 to back a major contract with ADAC and a prior $100m raise in its Series F, this latest round brings renewed momentum as Solaris continues to evolve from its $1.6bn valuation in 2021 into a more resilient, growth-oriented BaaS leader.

Weekly FinTech deal roundup

Over $1.2bn raised across 12 deals in productive week for FinTechs – FinTech Global reported on only 12 deals in the FinTech sector this week, however, over $1.2bn was raised across all rounds. Read the full story here.

InsurTech news

• Earnix unveils Filing Accelerator to streamline insurance rate filings - Earnix, a global technology company offering intelligent decisioning SaaS solutions for regulated sectors such as insurance and banking, has unveiled a new tool aimed at transforming the regulatory rate filing process for insurers. Read the full story here.
• Pliant acquires hi.health to simplify insurance payments across Europe - Pliant, a Berlin-based FinTech focused on modernising corporate card infrastructure, has acquired Vienna-based InsurTech hi.health to streamline and digitise outdated reimbursement workflows within the insurance sector. Read the full story here.
• Chapter bags $75m to scale personalised Medicare guidance platform - Chapter, a US-based Medicare navigation platform, has closed a $75m Series D funding round to bolster its mission of transforming retirement healthcare experiences. Read the full story here.

WealthTech news

• LSEG appoints Gianluca Biagini and Ron Lefferts as co-heads of data and analytics - LSEG, a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider, has announced the appointment of Gianluca Biagini and Ron Lefferts as co-heads of its Data & Analytics division. Gianluca will join from S&P Global on 18 August 2025, while Ron has been with LSEG since 2021 and became a member of the executive committee in 2023. Read the full story here.
• Scaling Consumer Duty success with digital tools and deterministic models - Since its official launch in July 2023, the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Duty has become a cornerstone of UK financial services regulation. Designed to ensure “good outcomes for retail customers”, the Duty has pushed financial institutions to rethink how they design, present, and support their products and services. Read the full story here.
• Latin American FinTech Belvo raises $15m to scale Open Finance platform - Belvo, a Latin American FinTech platform specialising in Open Finance solutions, has raised $15m in a new funding round aimed at expanding its product suite and enhancing its AI capabilities. Read the full story here.

RegTech news

• Raising AML thresholds won’t stop financial crime – here’s what will - Recent lobbying from large US banks has ignited a heated public debate over an unlikely flashpoint: anti-money laundering reporting thresholds. Read the full story here.
• Credit unions must embed compliance in tech onboarding to reduce risk - In today’s fast-moving workplace, many employees are familiar with the surprise of a new software platform suddenly appearing on their screens—often with little to no prior warning or consultation. While well-intended, these abrupt technology rollouts can lead to unintended disruption, especially when key users are left out of the decision-making process. Read the full story here.
• From audit trails to accountability: how traceability transforms compliance - Metro Bank has announced a collaboration with the award-winning AI scam detection company, Ask Silver. This partnership marks Metro Bank as the first UK bank to integrate such advanced technology to combat fraud. Read the full story here.

CyberTech news

• HKMA targets mule accounts with new fraud prevention measures - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and The Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) have unveiled a raft of new measures aimed at tackling the growing threat of fraud and money laundering in the region. Read the full story here.
• AI security platform Virtue AI raises $30m to advance GenAI safety - Virtue AI has secured $30m in funding to accelerate its mission to enable safe, secure, and compliant deployment of generative AI technologies. Read the full story here.
• AI security firm Pillar raises $9m to secure the future of enterprise software - Pillar Security, a US-based startup specialising in AI-native cybersecurity solutions for enterprises, has announced the close of a $9m seed funding round. Read the full story here.

ESG FinTech news

• SEC greenlights GIX as first US stock exchange for the $35tn sustainability economy - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the Form 1 application for the Green Impact Exchange (GIX), marking a major milestone in the creation of the first US-based stock market focused solely on the $35tn sustainability economy. Read the full story here.
• Net-Zero Banking Alliance evolves to support banks amid rising climate reporting demands - The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a leading global initiative aimed at aligning banking activity with the Paris Agreement climate goals, has confirmed that its members have voted overwhelmingly to renew its mandate with a sharpened focus on real economy decarbonisation. Read the full story here.
• Russia calls on SCO nations to unify sustainable finance standards - Russia has proposed the creation of unified standards for sustainable financing across the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in a bid to strengthen regional investment and better assess ESG and non-financial risks. Read the full story here.

Other FinTech news

• Why contract renewal delays can cost millions in compliance failures - Renewing sanctions and Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) contracts is a critical component of staying compliant in the fast-evolving regulatory landscape. As financial institutions navigate increasingly stringent rules around financial crime and international sanctions, keeping these contracts up to date is no longer optional—it’s essential. Read the full story here.
• How financial institutions can modernise onboarding with smarter KYC and KYB - Client onboarding is a critical first step in understanding who financial institutions are doing business with and assessing potential risks. This know your client (KYC) process helps firms meet anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and broader compliance requirements, while also preventing fraud. Read the full story here.
• Credit unions must embed compliance in tech onboarding to reduce risk - In today’s fast-moving workplace, many employees are familiar with the surprise of a new software platform suddenly appearing on their screens—often with little to no prior warning or consultation. While well-intended, these abrupt technology rollouts can lead to unintended disruption, especially when key users are left out of the decision-making process. Read the full story here.