AI startup Pluto launches private market lending platform

Investors in alternative assets like private equity, private capital and venture capital often lock their money in for years, but Pluto’s founders say its marketplace matches these wealthy investors who need cash with banks and investment firms willing to lend against those illiquid assets.

Trump crypto venture World Liberty applies for bank charter

World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture co-founded by President Trump, applied for a national trust charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The move comes as several prominent crypto companies have applied for and received conditional approval for trust charters since the beginning of the Trump administration.

Lloyds pushes tokenized deposits

The U.K. bank has completed a payment using the stablecoin alternative; while Revolut is trying to acquire Turkish neobank FUBS. Plus: execs tied to the Wirecard scandal are on their way to prison and more in the American Banker global payments and fintech roundup.