Jun 13, 2017

Chinese stock-trading app raises $146 million

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

Mark Lennihan / AP

Futu Securities, a Chinese online brokerage, reportedly has raised $145.5 million in Series C funding. Tencent led the round, and was joined by return backers Matrix Partners China and Sequoia Capital China.

  • Why it matters: This deal comes as Futu continues to work toward obtaining a U.S. brokerage license, and as more and more Chinese retail traders get comfortable using mobile apps to trade local and U.S. securities (the company claims $44 billion of 2016 transaction value).
  • Risk factor: "The China Securities Regulatory Commission said last July that Futu's online platform provided unauthorized overseas stocks trading services and gave no legal protection to investors. [CEO Li Hua] said his company was 'hit by mistake' and the regulator gave positive feedback after understanding its business." ―Bloomberg

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Twitter launches warnings on election misinformation and delays

Photo: courtesy of Twitter

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NASA confirms water exists on sunny parts of the Moon

Photo: NASA/JPL/USGS

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Pence no longer expected at Amy Coney Barrett's final confirmation vote

Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

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Driving the news: Five of Pence's aides were recently diagnosed with COVID-19, including his chief of staff, who is currently quarantining. Pence has continued his campaign travel despite his possible exposure, which goes against CDC guidelines.

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