The rise of remote work, a trend solidified by the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to an increase in digital nomads, with governments around the world offering visas and financial incentives to attract this workforce. The article discusses the factors that make a city attractive to digital nomads, such as affordability, good weather, and a vibrant community, and highlights the growing number of coworking spaces. It also notes the expected growth of the digital nomad population to one billion by the end of the decade.

Kani Payments, founded by Aaron Holmes in 2018, is a data reconciliation and reporting platform based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The company has gained recognition for its innovative SaaS platform, which simplifies data reporting and reconciliation processes for FinTech companies. Kani Payments is expanding globally, with a focus on the US and Asia-Pacific regions, and has formed strategic partnerships with major players like Mastercard. The company aims to address the challenges of handling complex data in the payments ecosystem and has been recognized with several awards for its contributions to the industry.

Digital clones, or avatars, are emerging as a significant innovation in artificial intelligence, offering new business, economic, scientific, and artistic opportunities while raising ethical questions. Bloomberg TV host Tom Mackenzie experimented with a digital twin created by Synthesia, a London-based synthetic media platform using ChatGPT. Avatars could enhance productivity, reduce costs, and simplify operations across various industries. Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns about avatars being used for deepfakes and the impact on human jobs. Synthesia has increased regulations following a misinformation incident. While avatars may not replace human roles immediately, the rapid technological advancement suggests it could happen in the future.

Modern cities, often seen as ecological vampires, are increasingly exploring urban horticulture to become more self-sufficient. Initiatives like Energy Garden in London are transforming urban spaces into productive gardens, enhancing community well-being and reducing environmental impact. Historical precedents and recent studies suggest that urban areas have significant potential for food production, which could improve food security and biodiversity. Community-led projects and supportive policies are paving the way for greener, more sustainable cities.

The Museum of Youth Culture, born from a defunct lifestyle magazine and a vast collection of youth culture postcards, documents the last century of youth-driven social movements in Britain. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum has grown through public submissions and volunteer support, especially during the pandemic. The museum's current focus includes diverse youth perspectives and the impact of social media on youth culture. It is seeking a permanent home while operating pop-up shops to fund its expansion and educational initiatives.

Mobile wallets have seen significant growth since their inception in 2011, with the market expected to reach over $3 trillion by 2022. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of contactless payments, creating new opportunities for marketers to engage with consumers. Mobile wallets offer convenience and ease-of-use, allowing brands to push relevant communications and drive engagement, spending, and in-store traffic. Despite challenges in adoption due to security concerns and retailer acceptance, mobile wallets are generally safer than physical wallets and offer multiple layers of security. As consumer and brand comfort with mobile wallets increases, marketers can leverage this channel for more meaningful communication and increased brand loyalty.

The Weekly Wrap, a publication for Prime subscribers, recaps the week's main stories and deals. The big story this week is the shutdown of Paym, a mobile payment service launched by fifteen of the UK's biggest banks and building societies, after eight years of operation.

The Monday Roundup highlights the week's major news stories, industry deals, and upcoming events. Amazon and Affirm are extending their Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) partnership to Canada, following its rollout in the US last year. Canadian customers can now select Affirm as a payment option during checkout.

Liz Truss has been announced as the new UK Prime Minister, a development that could have significant implications for the national FinTech community. The article sets the stage for the week's major news stories, industry deals, and upcoming events, with a particular focus on the political shift in the UK.

The new Finance Payment Markets report by UK Finance reveals a 23% increase in Faster Payments volumes in the UK from 2020 to 2021, with contactless payments growing by 36% and now accounting for almost one third of all payments. Cash payments have decreased but remain the second-most popular form of payment. The Financial Conduct Authority has issued warnings to UK firms about promoting unapproved BNPL products, indicating a move towards stricter industry scrutiny.