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Sezzle Replaces Auditor Baker Tilly with PwC

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Sezzle has dismissed its independent auditor Baker Tilly and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as its new auditor for 2026, according to a company filing.

The move follows the disclosure of a material weakness in the company’s internal controls related to the classification of cash flows tied to notes receivable for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. While Baker Tilly issued unqualified audit opinions for those years, it flagged that Sezzle’s internal financial reporting controls were ineffective as of the end of 2025.

Sezzle stated there were no disagreements with Baker Tilly during the audit periods, and the decision to change auditors was approved by its audit committee. The appointment of PwC remains subject to standard onboarding procedures.

The change reflects increased scrutiny on financial reporting practices, particularly for fintech firms operating in the buy now, pay later segment, where transparency and compliance are critical for investor confidence.

ECB Chooses AI Startup Feedzai to Combat Fraud in Upcoming Digital Euro

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The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected Portuguese artificial intelligence firm Feedzai to develop fraud-prevention systems for its planned digital euro, a project intended to strengthen Europe’s financial independence from U.S. payment networks and dollar-backed stablecoins.

The contract—valued at up to €237.3 million ($278.7 million)—was announced Thursday as part of a broader package of agreements advancing the digital euro initiative. Under the four-year deal, which could extend up to 15 years, Feedzai and its subcontractor PwC will create an AI-powered fraud scoring system capable of analyzing transactions for suspicious patterns based on user behavior, history, and interactions.

This technology will assist payment service providers in determining whether to approve or flag digital euro transactions—essentially, transfers between central bank–backed electronic wallets.

The ECB also awarded four additional contracts, ranging from €27.6 million to €220.7 million, to firms including Capgemini, which will support different technological and operational aspects of the digital currency ecosystem. Under these framework agreements, the ECB will only pay contractors once project implementation begins.

While the central bank continues to await legislative approval for the digital euro, officials describe it as a strategic response to Visa and Mastercard’s dominance in European payments and the rising influence of U.S.-linked stablecoins promoted under former President Donald Trump. If approved by mid-2026, the digital euro could be launched as early as 2029.

Feedzai, headquartered in Portugal, already monitors more than $8 trillion in global transactions annually, serving clients such as Novobanco and Wio Bank in Abu Dhabi. On the same day as the ECB announcement, Feedzai disclosed an additional $75 million in funding from Lince Capital, Iberis Capital, and Explorer Investments, signaling strong investor confidence in its role within Europe’s financial digitization push.

The partnership marks a major milestone in the ECB’s effort to balance innovation with financial security, ensuring that the future digital euro remains as safe as cash—but smarter.

Salesforce to Invest $500 Million in AI Ventures in Saudi Arabia

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Salesforce announced on Monday that it plans to invest $500 million in artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the country’s competitive push to attract critical tech investments. The investment will be a key part of Salesforce’s efforts to introduce its Hyperforce platform architecture in the region, leveraging a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The announcement comes amid a global surge in AI investments, as countries ramp up efforts to become leaders in the fast-growing technology. This trend follows a shift in regulatory approaches, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump overturned an executive order that sought to impose restrictions on AI advancements.

In addition to launching Hyperforce, Salesforce will collaborate with major global firms such as Capgemini, Deloitte, Globant, IBM, and PwC to expand the use of its AI product, Agentforce, which is designed for customer service agents. Another key aspect of the plan includes offering Arabic language support for Salesforce’s AI product suite, aiming to make the technology more accessible to local businesses.

Salesforce made this announcement at Saudi Arabia’s global tech event, LEAP 2025, where the country secured $14.9 billion in AI investments. Earlier in the month, Salesforce also revealed plans to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh and to upskill 30,000 Saudi citizens by 2030, further cementing its commitment to fostering AI growth in the region.