Instagram Easier API onboarding, Leaf Agriculture $11.3M, Akto gRPC security
The API Changelog issue 2024.32
This is issue 2024.32 of the API Changelog, a mix of API news, commentary, and opinion. In this issue, you'll get to know the most relevant API-related information from the week of July 29, 2024. Subscribe now, so you never miss an issue of the API Changelog.
News highlight
Bounteous x Accolite has begun utilizing Nokia's Network as Code for innovative 5G use cases in healthcare and gaming. They aim to monetize network assets and simplify network complexities through a unified developer ecosystem.
Nokia has partnered with US-based consultancy and IT provider Bounteous x Accolite (BxA), a digital transformation specialist, to use Nokia's Network as Code platform with a developer portal. BxA will access operator networks via SDKs, network API documentation, pre-written code, and a sandbox for use case simulation and testing. Nokia plans to focus initially on new healthcare applications, such as real-time ambulance tracking for improved emergency response times. The deal is another significant win for Nokia, which has 17 API ecosystem partners. Nokia's API activities fall under the auspices of its Cloud and Network Services division, which is struggling. Nokia needs the API market to deliver on its hype as much as telcos do, with its Network as Code platform winning admirers from both telco and software development sides.
See additional coverage on ComputerWeekly.com, Mobile World Live, XM, and eeNews.
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Announcements
Instagram's API onboarding is now easier, eliminating the need to link a Facebook account and simplifying developer guidelines. Beta partners praise the streamlined process for boosting engagement and potential sales growth.
OpticOdds has partnered with Dabble to provide advanced odds API and trading solutions for US and Australian markets. The tools offered by OpticOdds will enhance Dabble's customer wagering options with real-time data from over 125 sportsbooks.
As cloud communications become standard, Pragma emphasizes the importance of offering advanced integration with costly CRM systems and role-specific solutions. Their API-driven offerings, developed in collaboration with Ericsson-LG Enterprise, enable seamless integrations and hyper-personalized experiences tailored to individual business needs.
Advise Wise has launched a new API integration with Canada Life, enabling Instant KFIs and smoother online applications. This integration streamlines the advice process, saving time by connecting Advise Wise and Canada Life systems. See additional coverage on Mortgage Solutions.
TriDot, the official Ironman training platform, integrated with Zwift to send workouts and retrieve data through Zwift's Training API. As the first to use this service, TriDot will soon enable automatic sync of training changes for a streamlined experience.
Tuum's partnership with ComplyAdvantage brings advanced financial crime detection and compliance solutions to its modern banking platform. The collaboration aligns Tuum’s API-first architecture with ComplyAdvantage's AI-driven tools, enhancing risk management for financial institutions. See additional coverage on The Paypers.
Funding
M2P Fintech is finalizing an $80 million funding round at a potential valuation of $880 to $900 million. The investment, led by a new stakeholder alongside existing backers like Insight Partners, will enhance tech infrastructure and fuel global expansion. See additional coverage on fintech Aliance.
WeBareSoft, a middleware firm, secured seed funding for its "OSORI API Gateway and Management" solution and aims to enter the global market with domestic and U.S. patent applications. The company, born from TmaxSoft expertise, focuses on facilitating safe and easy API use, bolstered by Spark Lab's support for its global business foundation.
Farm data management platform Leaf Agriculture has raised $11.3 million in Series A financing. Spero Ventures led a Series A funding round, with Leaf planning to expand its offerings, partnerships, and team. Leaf provides an API platform to ease data management in agriculture, targeting crop insurance, biotech, and more.
AI
Workato®, the AI-driven enterprise orchestration platform, unveiled its Unified API Platform, accelerating enterprise API publishing, consumption, and governance. The platform's comprehensive features, including AI gateways and Copilots, streamline API management and promote rapid digital transformation. See additional coverage on AIThority and businesswire.
Elastic, the Search AI Company, has integrated Mistral AI's embeddings with Elasticsearch, simplifying storage and chunking into a single API. This collaboration accelerates time-to-market for RAG applications and eases the development process for creators. See additional coverage on AIThority.
Vonage, part of Ericsson, launches AI-enhanced SIP capabilities for global, flexible voice services with low/no-code options. The services provide AI-powered customer engagement, easy SIP trunk deployment, and pre-built communication solutions.
Bird has unveiled a comprehensive "AI-first" CRM aimed at revolutionizing the marketing, sales, and customer service sectors. The platform integrates various communication APIs with AI, offering seamless third-party application compatibility and the potential for significant cost savings.
Acurai Inc. unveils its flagship service, Acurai, the world's first AI service demonstrated to be 100% accurate and completely free of hallucinations. Acurai Inc. invites the development and research community to validate Acurai's 100% accuracy not only on third-party RAG datasets but also on the hallucinations that have prevented their projects from moving into production. See additional coverage on Fox5.
Qualys unveiled its AI and deep learning-enhanced platform to protect web apps and APIs against a wider range of threats. APIs, pivotal for digital transformation, now form over 83% of web traffic, raising concerns about their associated vulnerabilities.
Fintech
Stripe Inc. is expanding its embedded financial services by partnering with Fifth Third Bank's Newline and acquiring payment processor Lemon Squeezy. The Fifth Third collaboration will bolster Stripe's platform capabilities, while Lemon Squeezy adds SaaS-based global payment processing.
Zil US provides customizable APIs, enabling businesses to enhance brand presence and competitive edge via a white-label payment platform. The platform supports streamlined expense management, brand reinforcement, and revenue growth, and offers a mobile app for financial efficiency on the go. See additional coverage on Technology Today and 2News wdtn.
Appbrilliance Money API™ platform utilizes The Clearing House's new rule to advance RTP for US digital wallets. Their system reduces costs and enhances user experiences for partners leveraging real-time, secure payment processing. See additional coverage on Placera., Morningstar, Crowdfund Insider, and The Paypers.
MMG unveiled a new API to facilitate e-commerce in Guyana, boosting local business through convenient online payments. Over 100 developers engaged in a webinar to explore the API's benefits, signaling strong support for e-commerce growth in Guyana.
Crypto APIs has unveiled a premium blockchain RPC dedicated nodes infrastructure aimed at tackling high costs and service unreliability in the blockchain sector. The new infrastructure boasts 99.9% uptime, over 50 supported protocols, and options for EU or Google Cloud servers to ensure high performance and scalability.
Security
Salt Security researchers found critical XSS flaws in Hotjar and a news outlet, threatening user account security. Exploiting the XSS and OAuth allows attackers to control user accounts via seemingly legitimate links. See additional coverage on IT Security Guru and DarkReading.
Akto introduced advanced gRPC API security features at Black Hat USA 2024, expanding protection for various API types. The new features allow continuous monitoring and testing of gRPC APIs, reinforcing Akto's commitment to comprehensive API security. See additional coverage on KTLA5.
Wallarm released its Q2 API ThreatStats™2024 Report, highlighting increasing API risks and significant breaches during M&A. The report reveals ongoing JWT misuse and critical vulnerabilities in trusted platforms such as Grafana. See additional coverage on businesswire.
Akamai's acquisition of Noname Security propels its API protection capability to meet the increasing demand and rising security challenges. By blending Noname's API security with Akamai's solutions, they will offer comprehensive protection across diverse API environments and deployment scenarios.