Today In Payments Around The World: First Nordic SPAC To Go Public; Bird To Expand In Europe

In today’s top payments news around the world, SEB is the global coordinator and bookrunner of Scandinavia’s first blank-check company, while Bird is launching an expansion across Europe and is earmarking $150 million toward the plan. Plus, Cover Genuis has named a new senior vice president of partnerships for Latin America.

First Nordic SPAC Will Go Public March 25

SEB, the Nordic financial services group, is the international coordinator and bookrunner of Scandinavia’s inaugural special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and is now developing a corporate finance unit. The SPAC plans to go public in Sweden on March 25. SPACs refer to blank-check companies created just to help other firms go public.

Bird Scooter Sharing Platform Invests $150 Million In Europe

Bird, the scooter and vehicle sharing platform, is rolling out an expansion throughout Europe and is dedicating $150 million to the effort. The startup said Europe will see its battery-powered two-wheelers extend to 50 new cities in future months. “Europe is playing a leading role not only in embracing micro-EVs, but in redesigning cities to safely promote their use,” Bird Founder and CEO Travis VanderZanden.

Cover Genius Adds New Exec To Lead LatAm Partnership Expansion

InsurTech company Cover Genuis has appointed Julio Castellón to the position of senior vice president of partnerships for Latin America. The appointment is part of the company’s effort to grow its presence in Latin America, particularly inside of the retail and travel sectors. Castellón will work to grow the company’s strategic partnerships in the region through his position.

Trustly Gauges Investors’ Appetite For Potential $11 Billion IPO

Swedish payments upstart Trustly is gauging investor interest in a possible initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at over $11 billion. The company lets people pay for merchandise and services through the web by the way of their bank accounts in lieu of card networks.