Tag: tech

Wise vs Revolut Fees (2026): Which Is Actually Cheaper? 

If you’re choosing between Wise and Revolut, fees are probably your biggest concern.

Both fintech companies promise low-cost international spending and transfers — but their pricing models are very different. One focuses on transparency. The other blends banking features with subscription perks.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how their fees compare in 2026.

1. Exchange Rates: The Real Cost Difference

Wise: Mid-Market Rate + Transparent Fee

Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate (the rate you see on Google).
Instead of marking up the rate, it charges a separate, clearly displayed fee — typically between 0.35% and 0.7%, depending on the currency.

You see the exact fee before confirming the transaction.

What this means:
You always know what you’re paying.

Revolut: Near-Interbank Rate (With Conditions)

Revolut uses a near-interbank exchange rate and offers:

  • Free weekday currency exchange (within your plan’s limit)
  • 1% markup on weekends
  • Monthly FX limits on the free plan (e.g., €1,000 equivalent)

After exceeding the monthly allowance, additional exchanges incur a fee.

What this means:
It can be very cheap — but only if you stay within limits and avoid weekends.

2. International Transfers

Wise

Fees typically include:

  • A small fixed fee
  • A percentage-based fee

For example, sending €1,000 internationally might cost between €4 and €8, depending on the currency route.

Wise is often cheaper for:

  • Larger transfers
  • Regular overseas payments
  • Sending money outside Europe

Revolut

Revolut offers:

  • Some free transfers depending on your plan
  • Possible SWIFT fees for certain currencies
  • Limits on free international payments

Revolut works well for occasional smaller transfers, but costs can increase once limits are exceeded.

3. ATM Withdrawals

Wise

  • 2 free withdrawals per month (up to ~€200 total)
  • After that: ~€0.50 + 1.75%

Revolut (Standard Plan)

  • 5 free withdrawals per month (up to ~€200)
  • Then 2% fee

Higher-tier Revolut plans increase the withdrawal allowance.

4. Card Payments Abroad

Both are excellent for travel compared to traditional banks.

  • Wise: Small conversion fee applied transparently.
  • Revolut: No weekday FX fee within limits, but weekend markup applies.

If you travel mostly during weekdays and don’t exceed limits, Revolut can be cheaper for everyday spending.

5. Monthly Fees

Wise

  • No subscription plans
  • No monthly fee
  • Pay only when you use it

Revolut

  • Standard plan: Free
  • Paid plans: Plus, Premium, Metal (monthly fee)
  • Includes perks like insurance, airport lounge access, and higher limits

If you want an all-in-one banking app with extras, Revolut’s paid tiers may justify the cost.

So Which Is Cheaper?

Choose Wise If:

  • You send large international transfers
  • You want full transparency
  • You don’t want subscription fees
  • You care about always getting the real exchange rate

Choose Revolut If:

  • You travel frequently
  • You exchange smaller amounts
  • You stay within monthly FX limits
  • You avoid weekend currency exchanges
  • You want banking features beyond transfers

Final Verdict

There’s no universal winner.

  • Wise is usually cheaper for international money transfers and large currency conversions.
  • Revolut can be cheaper for travel spending — if you stay within plan limits.

For many people, the smartest move isn’t choosing one — it’s using both.

RouteNote Select targets growth through music IP acquisitions 

The scoop: RouteNote is expanding its premium arm, RouteNote Select, as it looks to acquire and invest in music IP assets — signaling a deeper move into catalog ownership and long-term rights management.

Why it matters

  • Music IP has become a hot asset class for institutional investors.
  • Owning rights — not just distributing music — offers recurring, predictable revenue.
  • Independent distributors are increasingly competing with major labels and private equity for catalogs.

The big picture

RouteNote Select operates as the higher-touch, invite-only tier of RouteNote’s distribution platform, offering marketing, funding and strategic support to artists.

By pursuing music IP acquisitions, the company is shifting from pure distribution into:

  • Catalog investment
  • Royalty participation
  • Long-term rights ownership

That mirrors a broader industry trend where music companies aim to control both distribution infrastructure and the underlying intellectual property.

Between the lines

  • The past five years have seen firms like Hipgnosis Songs Fund and Blackstone pour billions into song catalogs.
  • Music rights are attractive because streaming has created steady, data-driven cash flows.
  • RouteNote’s move suggests mid-sized players want a slice of the IP economy — not just service fees.

What’s next

Expect:

  • More hybrid distributor-investor models
  • Increased competition for independent artist catalogs
  • Greater emphasis on data to value music assets

As streaming matures, the real power may lie less in platform access — and more in who owns the songs.

Why SaaS Stocks Crashed – And Why Most SaaS Companies Aren’t Going Anywhere

Over the past few years, SaaS stocks have been crushed.

Companies that once traded at 30x revenue fell 60–80%. Investors declared the “death of SaaS.” Growth-at-all-costs suddenly became a liability.

But here’s the reality:

SaaS isn’t dying. Bad pricing was.

Let’s unpack what actually happened.

The Zero-Interest Rate Bubble

Between 2015 and 2021:

  • Capital was cheap
  • Growth mattered more than profitability
  • Investors priced in perfect execution

Companies like:

  • Snowflake
  • Shopify
  • Zoom Video Communications

…were valued as if hypergrowth would last forever.

Multiples expanded beyond fundamentals. Revenue growth alone justified massive valuations.

That worked — until it didn’t.

What Actually Triggered the Crash

1. Rising Interest Rates

When rates rise:

  • Future earnings are discounted more heavily
  • Long-duration assets get hit hardest
  • Growth multiples compress

SaaS companies often promise profits far in the future. Higher discount rates crushed those valuations.

2. Slowing Growth

Enterprise customers tightened budgets.
Digital acceleration normalized post-COVID.
“Nice-to-have” tools were cut.

Even durable companies like Salesforce saw growth decelerate.

Markets repriced the entire sector.

3. Profitability Became Mandatory

The new environment demands:

  • Positive free cash flow
  • Efficient customer acquisition
  • Strong retention
  • Operating leverage

Companies that adapted survived. Others are still struggling.

Is the SaaS Model Broken?

No.

Recurring revenue remains:

  • Predictable
  • Sticky
  • High margin (at scale)
  • Operationally efficient

What changed is investor tolerance for inefficiency.

The Bottom Line

The SaaS crash wasn’t the death of the model.

It was the death of:

  • Growth without margin
  • Overfunded point solutions
  • Fantasy multiples

The next decade of SaaS will be smaller, leaner, and more profitable.

And that’s healthy

OpenAI hires OpenClaw creator to accelerate personal AI agents 

The scoop: OpenAI has hired Peter Steinberger, the developer behind the open-source AI agent OpenClaw, as it ramps up efforts to build more capable personal AI agents.

Why it matters

  • AI companies are racing to move beyond chatbots toward autonomous agents that can complete real-world tasks.
  • OpenClaw gained traction for allowing users to run AI agents locally, connecting them to tools like email and calendars.
  • Hiring its creator signals OpenAI’s serious push into agent-based AI systems.

The big picture

CEO Sam Altman announced the hire, highlighting the company’s ambition to develop “personal agents” that can act on a user’s behalf.

Unlike traditional AI chat tools that respond to prompts, agents are designed to:

  • Take initiative
  • Execute multi-step tasks
  • Integrate across apps and services

The move reflects a broader industry shift toward AI systems that function more like digital assistants than text generators.

Between the lines

  • OpenClaw built a strong open-source community.
  • Rather than absorbing or shutting it down, OpenAI plans to support its continued development.
  • That approach could help OpenAI strengthen ties with developers — a key competitive advantage in the AI ecosystem.

What’s next

Expect OpenAI to:

  • Invest more heavily in agent infrastructure
  • Expand integrations with third-party tools
  • Position AI agents as the next major product category beyond ChatGPT-style interfaces

The hire underscores a central trend in AI: the future may belong to systems that don’t just answer questions — but take action.

Grab is buying U.S. investing app Stash for about $425 million in a major cross-border fintech move 

Grab Holdings Limited, the Singapore-based super-app operator known for ride-hailing, delivery and digital financial services across Southeast Asia, has agreed to acquire Stash Financial, Inc., a U.S.-based digital investing and financial wellness platform, in a deal valuing Stash at roughly US $425 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Grab will initially purchase a 50.1 % controlling stake in Stash at closing, with the plan to buy out the remaining equity over the next three years at fair market value. Payment for the deal will be made using a mix of cash and stock, with the exact mix at Grab’s discretion. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

What Stash does & why it matters

Stash is a U.S.-registered investment advisor and fintech platform that combines subscription-based investing, banking tools, financial education resources and an AI-driven Money Coach feature designed to help everyday consumers improve their financial habits and long-term wealth outcomes. It currently manages more than US $5 billion in assets and has over one million paying subscribers.

The company also offers StashWorks, an employee financial wellness programme used by U.S. employers to help staff build better saving and investing behaviours through guidance and tools.

Strategic rationale for Grab

This acquisition marks a significant expansion of Grab’s financial services footprint into the U.S. mass-market investing space – a market where it previously had no commercial presence. It adds a recurring subscription revenue engine and deepens Grab’s fintech capabilities, particularly in areas powered by AI and personalised financial guidance.

Post-closing, Stash will continue operating as an independent brand, retaining its current services, business model and leadership – including its co-founders and co-CEOs — while gaining access to Grab’s broader ecosystem and resources. Grab has also indicated it may explore introducing elements of Stash’s technology, such as the AI Money Coach, into its Southeast Asian markets over the longer term.

For Grab, this move diversifies revenue beyond its core ride-hailing and delivery businesses and bolsters its financial services roadmap – which already includes lending, payments and digital banking – at a time when the company is increasingly focused on sustainable, high-margin services.

Upcoming Specs for Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 – before the next Apple Event

There is a lot of talk about the specs of the new versions in the Apple Watch series – and here is what we know so far before the next Apple event. Full specs on Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Anthropic launches Claude for Chrome – Google Chrome Extension for AI assistance

Anthropic is launching a research preview of a browser-based AI agent powered by its Claude AI models, the company announced on Tuesday. Claude for Chrome is initially rolling out to 1,000 subscribers on Anthropic’s Max plan (priced at $100-$200 monthly). The company has also opened a waitlist for other interested users.

With this Chrome extension, selected users can chat with Claude in a sidebar that maintains awareness of everything happening in their browser. Users can also authorise Claude to perform actions in their browser and complete tasks on their behalf.

Marshall Bromley 750 Party Bluetooth Speaker looks like an amp

Marshall just introduced its very first party speaker, the Bromley 750. The speaker resembles a guitar amp, which aligns perfectly with the company’s heritage. After all, instrument amps are essentially powerful speakers in their own right.

This Bluetooth speaker features a replaceable battery delivering over 40 hours of playback on a single charge. It produces 360-degree stereophonic sound that Marshall claims will “find its way through any crowd.” Additionally, it includes a “sound character knob” for adjusting tone from clear (ideal for indoor use) to punchy (better for outdoor settings).

Webull Opens their crypto trading platform in Australia – after US re-opening

WeBull is launching their crypto trading service in Australia – just after they re-opened the service in the US.

With companies like eToro – now making the majority of their revenues via crypto trading – it feels like this is going to be an easy revenue driver for WeBull.

via – Cointelegraph

Can you buy single shares of Xiaomi or do you need to buy 200 shares at a time?

It all depends on where you buy the Xiaomi stock.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1810.HK)

  • On the HKEX, stocks trade in “board lots” (minimum trading units).
  • For Xiaomi (1810.HK) the board lot is 200 shares.
  • That means if you buy directly in Hong Kong, you have to buy at least 200 shares (or multiples of 200).
  • Example: If Xiaomi trades at HK$15, the minimum investment is HK$3,000 (~US$380).

U.S. OTC Market (XIACF, XIACY)

  • In the U.S. OTC market, you can buy single shares (no board lot restriction).
  • So if you’re using a U.S. or international broker that gives access to OTC, you can buy 1 share, 10 shares, 37 shares — whatever you like.

How can I buy shares of Xiaomi and under what ticker symbol

Ticker Symbols & Where to Buy

1. Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Primary Listing)

  • Ticker: 1810.HK (often just “1810”)
  • That’s Xiaomi’s main public listing and the one most commonly used by investors. You’d buy this through a broker that provides access to Hong Kong markets.

2. Over-the-Counter (OTC) in the U.S.

  • Tickers: XIACF and XIACY
  • These are U.S. OTC representations (likely ADRs or Pink Sheet listings). They let U.S.-based investors access Xiaomi without needing a Hong Kong broker.

Meta partnering with Midjourney for AI Image and Video Creation – Must partner with the best services

While others are trying to take legal action against Midjourney – Meta is partnering with them for AI image and video creation.

The Midjourney partnership could help Meta develop products that compete with industry-leading AI image and video models, such as OpenAI’s Sora, Black Forest Lab’s Flux, and Google’s Veo. Last year, Meta rolled out its own AI image generation tool, Imagine, into several of its products, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Meta also has an AI video generation tool, Movie Gen, that allows users to create videos from prompts.

via – Techcrunch

Uber CEO Talking About Tesla using Camera Vision over LiDAR

Uber CEO on Tesla using Camera Vision over LiDAR: “I think in the near-term it’s going to be very difficult, and

Elon Musk would tell me I’m wrong, and never bet against him, but it’s my instinct — in the near-term it’s going to be very difficult to build a camera only product that has superhuman level of safety. Will it be possible? Quite possibly yes. If you can have instrumentations that include cameras and LiDAR ; the cost of Solid State LiDAR is only $400-$500— WHY NOT include LiDAR as well in order to achieve superhuman safety. So, possible? Yeah it will be — I don’t know when, but is possible the better product? I’m not sure. All of your partners right now are using a combination of camera, Radar and LiDAR, and I personally think that’s the right solution— but I could be proven wrong.”

Full conversation on X here.

How does Zoho CRM compare to other CRM systems

Based on the search results and my knowledge, here’s how Zoho CRM compares to other CRM systems:

  1. Cost-effectiveness:
    Zoho CRM is generally considered more affordable compared to enterprise-level CRMs like Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics, making it attractive for small to medium-sized businesses.
  2. Customization:
    Zoho CRM offers high customizability, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs and workflows.
  3. Integration:
    Zoho CRM integrates well with other Zoho applications and third-party tools, providing an all-in-one solution for business operations.
  4. User-friendliness:
    While generally considered user-friendly, Zoho CRM may have a learning curve for some users. Its interface has been criticized as visually confusing by some.
  5. Feature set:
    Zoho One (which includes Zoho CRM) offers a comprehensive suite of 40+ apps covering sales, marketing, and other business operations. However, some argue that while it can do many things, it may not excel at any particular function.
  6. Scalability:
    Zoho CRM can grow with businesses, but some users find it becomes more complex as more features are added.
  7. Mobile capabilities:
    Zoho CRM offers a mobile app that allows users to access and modify customer data offline.
  8. Automation:
    Zoho CRM provides workflow automation, automated reporting, and other automation features, though they may not be as advanced as some competitors.
  9. Support:
    Zoho offers 24/7 customer support, but the quality of support may vary.
  10. Pricing model:
    Zoho offers flexible pricing options, including a free tier for very small teams. However, to get full functionality, businesses often need to opt for higher-tier plans.

Compared to other CRMs, Zoho’s main strengths lie in its affordability, customizability, and the breadth of its feature set when considering the entire Zoho One suite. However, it may fall short in areas like user interface design and the depth of certain features compared to more specialized CRM solutions.

Why is Zoho Better than the Alternatives and Competitors?

Zoho excels in several areas, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to enhance their operations. Here are the key strengths of Zoho:

  1. Comprehensive CRM Solutions: Zoho CRM is highly regarded for its ability to streamline sales processes, manage customer relationships, and enhance customer service. It offers features such as lead management, workflow automation, and detailed reporting, allowing businesses to effectively track and manage their interactions with customers.
  2. Customization and Flexibility: Zoho provides a highly customizable platform that allows businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs. Users can create custom fields, modules, and workflows, making it adaptable for various industries and business models.
  3. Integration Capabilities: Zoho integrates seamlessly with a wide range of third-party applications and services, which enhances its functionality. This allows businesses to create a cohesive ecosystem of tools that work together, improving overall efficiency.
  4. Cost-Effectiveness: Zoho offers competitive pricing plans that are particularly attractive to small and medium-sized businesses. Its affordability, combined with a rich feature set, makes it a cost-effective solution compared to other CRM systems like Salesforce.
  5. AI and Automation: The inclusion of Zia, Zoho’s AI-powered assistant, helps businesses automate routine tasks and gain insights from their data. This feature enhances productivity by identifying sales patterns and predicting customer behavior.
  6. User-Friendly Interface: Despite some criticisms regarding complexity, many users find Zoho’s interface relatively easy to navigate, which aids in quicker adoption and utilization across teams.
  7. Real-Time Notifications and Analytics: Zoho provides real-time notifications and robust analytics tools, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on current data and trends. This capability is crucial for timely responses to customer needs and market changes.
  8. Data Migration and Management: Zoho simplifies the process of data migration and management, allowing businesses to transfer their existing data into the CRM without significant hassle. This feature is particularly beneficial for companies transitioning from spreadsheets or other systems.

Overall, Zoho is particularly good at providing a comprehensive, customizable, and cost-effective solution for managing customer relationships and business operations, making it a strong contender in the CRM market.

Which music streaming service has the largest user base in India

The music streaming service with the largest user base in India is Gaana, which boasts approximately 185 million monthly active users. Following closely is JioSaavn, which has over 200 million subscribers. Both platforms are significant players in the Indian music streaming market, reflecting the country’s growing appetite for digital music consumption. Other notable services include Spotify and YouTube Music, which also have substantial user bases but do not surpass Gaana and JioSaavn in terms of active users in India.