Fintech Innovation

Benzinga Opens 12th Fintech Awards, Entries Close Oct. 23

Detroit – October 16, 2026 -- Benzinga has opened submissions for its 12th annual Benzinga Awards, charging $250 per single award entry or $500 for unlimited entries per company, with the portal closing October 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

DALBAR joins as independent judge for the 2026 program

The digital awards program, which recognizes companies, innovators and professionals across financial services and fintech, is judged in collaboration with DALBAR. Steve Worthy, Managing Director of DALBAR, said the firm will contribute independent research and analytical rigor, assessing nominees against objective standards of excellence, innovation and client impact.

Benzinga News Integrates Into Kinetiq's Markets App Home Feed

Detroit – September 22, 2026 -- Benzinga has integrated its real-time news feed directly into the home screen of Markets App: Stocks & Crypto, the trading platform operated by Kinetiq, letting users read market news and execute trades without switching tools.

Benzinga News now surfaces alongside trade commentary in the app's feed

The integration places Benzinga News next to the trade theses and commentary that Markets App users already post and read, allowing a user to see a news article about a held stock, place a trade, and share their reasoning without leaving the app.

Aqua Raises $18.8M, Launches First Turnkey Alternatives Platform

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Aqua has raised $18.8 million in total funding and launched what it calls the industry's first turnkey alternative investments platform (TAIP), targeting wealth managers, RIAs, banks, trust companies and fund sponsors.

Aqua secures $3.8 million seed round backed by Google's AI Fund and Y Combinator

The seed round preceded a $15 million Series A led by Arthur Ventures, with participation from Alumni Ventures. Aqua plans to direct the capital toward accelerating platform development, expanding engineering and partnership teams, and deepening integrations with custodians and fund sponsors.