Tagged: payments

January 9, 2026 @ 4:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the cutthroat world of retail, where billions are poured into marketing campaigns, sleek websites, and frictionless in-store experiences, an unseen force is undermining these efforts. Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), recently highlighted this “invisible headwind”: the staggering cost of credit… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 1:59 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a step toward further modernizing public transportation, Taipei Metro has introduced a QR code-based payment option, allowing commuters to breeze through station gates using only their smartphones. This initiative, which officially rolled out on January 3, 2026, aims to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance… Read More

January 8, 2026 @ 8:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving landscape of cyber threats, a sophisticated Android-based malware known as Ghost Tap is now said to be behind a notable increase in fraudulent contactless payments. This malicious software allows cybercriminals to execute tap-to-pay transactions remotely, bypassing the need for direct access to… Read More

January 7, 2026 @ 9:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Stripe has announced a strategic partnership with Crypto.com. This latest collaboration, set to roll out in early 2026, allows Crypto.com users to spend their digital assets at online merchants powered by Stripe’s payment infrastructure. By integrating Crypto.com as the first crypto platform for direct balance… Read More

January 7, 2026 @ 3:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is incorporating Bitcoin as a payment option. While the retail giant’s decision to accept the digital asset was initially revealed last year, the renewed coverage underscores Bitcoin’s steady march toward broader integration in global retail. This move by one of the world’s largest… Read More

January 6, 2026 @ 10:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

TRM Labs noted that in a major escalation of US efforts against Venezuelan leadership, the Department of Justice unsealed a superseding indictment against President Nicolás Maduro and several co-defendants, including his wife Cilia Flores, on January 5, 2026. TRM Labs also mentioned that this followed… Read More

January 5, 2026 @ 8:54 am By JD Alois  |  

Payments firm Flutterwave has acquired Mono in a move to boost its open banking infrastructure. The terms of the deal were not revealed. In a public statement, Flutterwave said the purchase improves its ability to build a “connected, interoperable financial system for Africa.” Flutterwave is… Read More

January 5, 2026 @ 8:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ever-changing world of work, 2026 is ushering in fresh dynamics across the gig economy, workforce trends, and globalization. These developments highlight how technology, consumer behavior, and economic pressures are reshaping employment and business operations worldwide. Starting with globalization and payroll advancements, companies managing… Read More

January 4, 2026 @ 2:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the world steps into 2026, the landscape of digital payments continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and changes in consumer behavior. From central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) gaining new features to concerns over cybersecurity and cash accessibility, several trends are poised… Read More

December 30, 2025 @ 7:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A whitepaper from Juniper Research, entitled, Unlocking the Next Stage of Growth for Modern Card Issuing Platforms, examines various trends that are now said to be shaping the modern card issuing ecosystem, and the ways in which modern card issuing platforms are able to capture… Read More

December 29, 2025 @ 8:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

After the final charter approval of Telcoin Digital Asset Bank by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance this past month, Telcoin begins initial blockchain banking operations with the launch of its eUSD stablecoin on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains. With the minting of $10… Read More

December 29, 2025 @ 8:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has unveiled a comprehensive action plan to elevate its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital yuan (e-CNY). Effective January 1, 2026, this initiative will introduce an upgraded governance framework, operational mechanisms, and supporting infrastructure, marking… Read More

December 28, 2025 @ 9:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thailand’s aggregate card payments market is now being projected to grow by 2.7% in 2025 to reach THB2.3 trillion (appr. $65.4 billion), supported by the ongoing expansion of digital payment acceptance infrastructure, government-led financial inclusion initiatives, and the growing adoption of contactless payments, according to… Read More

December 28, 2025 @ 9:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Circle (NYSE: CRCL) noted that every day trillions of dollars move between businesses. These business-to-business (B2B) transactions underpin everything from “keeping factories running to facilitating digital services, with an estimated ~$88 trillion in B2B transactions in 2024 alone.” Despite despite their size and importance, the… Read More

December 28, 2025 @ 8:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has set out changes that will give businesses more information on the card payment fees they pay. This follows its market review, which found that Mastercard and Visa don’t face competition due to rising fees and a lack of clarity… Read More

December 27, 2025 @ 5:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s card payment market is expected to expand further in 2025, even as it remains one of Asia’s more mature payments landscapes, with total card spending forecast to rise 4.5% to HK$1.32 trillion ($168.4 billion), according to data and analytics firm GlobalData. The forecast… Read More

December 26, 2025 @ 12:42 am By Omar Faridi  |  

HM Treasury’s latest September consultation, A Streamlined Approach to Payment Systems Regulation, confirmed plans to get rid of the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) and transfer its overall functions to the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This marks a key moment for UK payments regulation… Read More

December 25, 2025 @ 11:59 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Moneyhash is collaborating with Mastercard (NYSE: MA) to expand merchant access to its Merchant Cloud platform across the MEA region. By connecting to Mastercard’s Gateway through a unified API, merchants can simplify integration, “streamline operations and enhance payment performance across markets.” Mastercard’s Gateway, a part… Read More

December 24, 2025 @ 1:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Max Levchin, Founder and CEO at Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), noted that there’s been increased attention on buy now, pay later (BNPL) over the past few weeks, raising questions about why consumers “choose these products, how they use them, and the industry’s overall practices.” Levchin added… Read More

December 24, 2025 @ 9:16 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Volante Technologies, the enabler of Payments as a Service, announced it has upgraded its clients to meet the latest SEPA Instant Payments Regulation (IPR) and SWIFT SRG 2025 mandate, which came into effect October 9th and November 22nd, 2025, respectively. This announcement follows the major… Read More