My FinTech conversations this week have focused on the newer end of the ecosystem. An upcoming profile will feature a firm that provides bitcoin ATMs targeted at the unbanked so they can send money at lower fees than traditional transfers.

Another conversation with a financial planner concerned how he is working as a coach and trusted advisor, making more on his advice than on transactions. Given the rise of roboadvisors in the wealth management sector, it's a good move.

Bring out the Xanax. Anxiety among Obamacare supporters is skyrocketing. The bad news just keeps coming. Aetna has joined UnitedHealthcare and Humana in announcing plans to exit almost all public marketplaces. Remaining health insurers are increasing rates by double-digit margins: most over 20%; some over 40%.
 

It's clearly the end of summer doldrums here in Chicago, though the tourists are still about town before the school begins, and the weather has been perfect hot summer days and warm nights. FinTech news seems a bit less frenzied. It may even appear that you haven't missed the boat yet on the money and applications of the future. The most anticipated—and critical to understand—technologies are still either young or largely experimental.

Midway through the Rio Olympics, the prowess of the diverse, raucous and remarkably talented U.S. team is on full display. We marvel at the athletes’ dedication. Their enthusiasm is infectious. Their athleticism is spellbinding. They represent America at its best, and all Americans can be justifiably proud.
 
It’s been one long samba line to the medals stand. With only 4.3% of the world’s 7.4 billion population, the U.S. has captured (through August 14th) almost 14% of the awarded medals.
 

Innovation, a favorite topic of debate in the business of technology, gets a FinTech work over in this week's links. Plus more blockchain endorsements and reports, along with some timely cautions.

FinTech food for thought

In an iconic 1984 commercial for Wendy’s hamburgers, the diminutive octogenarian Clara Peller and two friends are eating hamburgers at the fictional “Home of the Big Bun.” Disappointed by their burgers’ small size, the friends call customer service and Clara demands to know, “Where’s the beef?”  The slogan went viral and propelled sales at Wendy’s upward by 31%.

For this week, I'm moving the weekly blockchain feature to the top of the links, as blockchain continues to capture business and technology attention. The Wall Street Journal even reported that blockchain is at a tipping point, in a comparison of the technology now versus the internet 25 years ago. It certainly is in terms of FinTech attention.

With pride and promise just two short years ago, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) introduced Prominence Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary,  that would “significantly advance CHI’s ability to excel in a pay-for-value environment.”
 

Rocky Transitions

I know it's difficult to believe but transitions in technology and updates to regulatory regimes do not necessarily put the consumer's point of view first. The digitization of money and banking is inevitable, but the ability of FinTech to empower individuals and community institutions is not.

This week's links provide some examples. And also some hope for outcomes that work for everyone.

The chip card transition in the U.S. has been a disaster