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Investors Ignore the Tech Revolution at their Peril
Comment from Colin McLean, managing director, SVM Asset Management:
“High-capacity broadband combined with cloud and mobile computing, big data and smartphones is disrupting many sectors and forcing new entrants to apply innovative business models. The risk this creates for UK blue chips should ring alarm bells for investors.
“The retail sector is being hit particularly hard, lagging the main share indices across the whole of Europe. On the UK high street activity continues to shrink, with speciality shops and restaurants that depend on footfall also seeing weakness in retail parks and shopping centres.
“The main warning signs have been in the growth of tech giants such as Amazon and Alibaba. The only stores that appear to be coping with this onslaught are those with a strong online offering, such as John Lewis. The intelligence brought into homes and everyday objects via the Internet of Things, and new services like Google Home and Amazon Dash, will see even more products circumvent bricks and mortar retailers.
“Other sectors are being disrupted too. Bank branch closures are just one tangible sign of a change in customer demand, with many people now managing their accounts entirely online. On top of this, new challengers are using big data to compete with traditional banks, targeting niches of profitable customers with direct lending methods, and using technology to monitor risk.
“Elsewhere, financial technology such as Blockchain could accelerate demonetisation and make way for competitors that are currently not even in the finance sector. New data analysis could disrupt insurance, with phones now used to gather data on lifestyle, preferences and risks. The biggest threats in this space are in Asia – Aliababa and Tencent Holdings have already moved into digital banking, scooping up customers with astonishing ease.
“Investors need to consider the risks these developments create for their portfolios. The gaps in the high street, such as HMV and Blockbuster, are testimony to this.”
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United Gulf Financial Services (UGFS North Africa), a leading venture capital firm offering innovative companies and startups with financial support and mentoring services, has announced a partnership with The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss non-profit organization driving global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions by funding innovation, training, certification, and venture building programs, and Exponential Science Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation accelerating responsible tech adoption, via research, education, and innovation activities, for Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025, the biggest hackathon in Africa aimed at enabling the next generation of Web developers and empower economic inclusion in Africa with a digital future for all.
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More than half (59%) of Brits admit that they’ll use AI to help with their tax return
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WorkFusion, a pioneer in AI agents for financial crime compliance (FCC), today announced it raised $45 million in funding.
AI-Powered E-commerce, Stablecoins and Local APMs: Emerging Trends Headline EBANX’s Payments Summit in Mexico
How could AI agents search, compare and pay for things? What makes stablecoins a game-changer for cross-border digital commerce? Why are local Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) crucial for any business wanting to enter and scale in emerging markets?
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Day two of Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh brought together global leaders in fintech, banking, and financial services to discuss the future of money and finance in the region.
United Gulf Financial Services Joins The Hashgraph Association and Exponential Science Foundation Adding $1M to Hedera Africa Hackathon Pool Prize
United Gulf Financial Services (UGFS North Africa), a leading venture capital firm offering innovative companies and startups with financial support and mentoring services, has announced a partnership with The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss non-profit organization driving global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions by funding innovation, training, certification, and venture building programs, and Exponential Science Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation accelerating responsible tech adoption, via research, education, and innovation activities, for Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025, the biggest hackathon in Africa aimed at enabling the next generation of Web developers and empower economic inclusion in Africa with a digital future for all.
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Payhawk announced set of AI agents that complete everyday finance work as part of its product launch
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