As 2025 draws to a close, we added up the numbers to bring you a round-up of FStech’s most popular news stories, features, and analysis pieces of the year.

1.From hype to strategy: Why digital assets are a top priority for Standard Chartered
In this article, FStech news editor Alexandra Leonards spoke to Waqar Chaudry, head of digital assets, financing and securities services to discuss why digital assets are now central to the bank’s strategy, how the market is evolving, and what future interoperability between blockchain and traditional finance might look like.

2.Quishing: The hidden cyber threat lurking in plain sight
In this feature, Dalvinder Kular, assistant editor at FStech, explores some of the risks and challenges associated with QR codes and what can be done to protect users.

3.Citigroup appoints Guillermo Baygual as co-head of mergers and acquisitions
In August, Citigroup appointed Guillermo Baygual, a veteran of JPMorgan Chase, as its new co-head of mergers and acquisitions, marking another significant hire as part of the bank’s wider plans to expand its presence in global dealmaking.

4. A digital future: Zopa’s chief strategy officer on growth and innovation
Following the launch of Zopa’s first current account, in July FStech news editor Alexandra Leonards caught up with Merve Ferrero, chief strategy officer at the digital bank to explore how technology is playing a role in meeting the firm’s strategic vision, the challenges it currently faces, and how it is differentiating itself in a saturated market.

5. Redwood Bank hires new CITO
In July, UK cloud-based bank Redwood Bank hired Simon Goodyear as its new chief information and technology officer (CITO).

6. Plugging the gap: How can firms address a tech skill shortage exacerbated by AI?
Recent research suggests that AI has created the world’s largest and fastest-developing financial services technology skills shortage in over 15 years. Earlier this year, Dalvinder Kular, assistant editor at FStech, explored the current talent challenges firms are facing and how they can begin to plug the gap.

7. Digital transformation under pressure: Inside ING’s technology strategy
With the banking sector facing pressure to accelerate growth and technology adoption amidst cost challenges and a rapidly evolving digital landscape, FStech News Editor Alexandra Leonards spoke with Daniele Tonella, chief technology officer at ING, to explore the bank’s digital priorities, the AI trends it is engaging with, and the key strategic pain points it is currently navigating.

8. Mastercard and the rise of agentic commerce: A strategic shift in AI and payments
With the launch of its pioneering agentic payments technology and an ongoing overhaul of its data strategy, change is afoot at Mastercard. In June, FStech news editor Alexandra Leonards sat down with Greg Ulrich, the company’s chief AI and data officer, to discuss Mastercard’s role in the emergence of agentic commerce and its broader approach to data and AI.

9. Coinbase to offer Singapore dollar stablecoin
Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy, sell, and store various digital currencies, has added Singapore dollar stablecoins to its platform offering.

10. Citi and Dandelion ink partnership to boost cross-border payments
In September, Citi and Dandelion announced they were collaborating to enhance cross-border payments.

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