payment
Ripple CEO Opens Swell Conference, Discussing Current Global Payment Landscape
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse just opened Ripple Swell 2020, which focuses on the current global payment landscape.
Dubai-Based Property Developer Introduces Bitcoin Payment for Home Buyers
Ellington Properties, a Dubai-based developer, has chosen Bitcoin Suisse (BTCS) as its ideal crypto brokerage provider to facilitate Bitcoin payment for its international customers.
McAfee's Ghostcoin Gets Backing as Payment in Hong Kong
John McAfee's Ghostcoin gets backing for use as a payment coin in Hong Kong across 60 vending machines including Disneyland.
Cryptocurrency wallet Lumi launches new payment method Apple Pay
Multi-currency crypto wallet Lumi, which enables the purchase, exchange & storing of digital assets, has added Apple Pay as an available payment method.
US National Security at Risk Due to China’s Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
UTXO
UTXO stands for An Unspent Transaction Output. It is one of the key concepts in bitcoin design and it is closed related to modern "payment, settlement, clearance" process in financial system.
Is It Wise for E-Commerce Stores to Accept Crypto As Payment?
Cryptocurrencies are transforming the e-commerce industry, offering global reach, cost savings, safety, and cross-border business opportunities, with potential to reach $2.9 billion by 2030.
Facebook Faces New Hurdles as Brazil’s Central Bank Suspends New WhatsApp Mobile Payment Service
Brazil’s central bank has suspended WhatsApp’s payments feature in the country. The newly-launched system allows users of Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp instant messaging service to send money via chat.
BlockFi Triumphs Over Bankruptcy, Initiates Creditor Reimbursements
BlockFi, a cryptocurrency company, emerged from bankruptcy in October 2023 and has since implemented a plan to repay creditors and return digital assets to clients. The company is now focusing on asset recoveries from entities like FTX and 3AC, processing claims for fair distributions, and Wallet customers can withdraw assets.
MasterCard Asia Files Device Billing System Patent Compatible With Iota’s Tangle Network
MasterCard patents blockchain system to help shared device merchants avoid credit card fees.
Visa Unveils Innovative Web3 Loyalty Program with SmartMedia Technologies
Visa teams up with SmartMedia Technologies to launch a pioneering Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution, revolutionizing customer loyalty with gamified, immersive experiences and digital wallets.
CBDC Project will Help Enhance Japan's "Settlement System," Says Bank of Japan Executive
Bank of Japan's Kazushige Kamiyama has revealed that the country’s proposed central bank digital currency will enhance the country’s settlement system.
Ripple and Onafriq Forge Alliance for Blockchain-Enabled Payments in Africa
Ripple and Onafriq are collaborating to introduce blockchain-powered cross-border payments, aiming to improve transaction efficiency and financial inclusion in Africa, the GCC, the UK, and Australia.
China’s Central Bank Digital Currency DCEP Has Been Processed in Pilot Transactions Worth 1.1 Billion Yuan
In the race to be the first country to launch a functional CBDC, China appears to be in the lead, as it has begun experimenting with its digital currency.
UAE Central Bank Pioneers Digital Dirham Transfer to China via mBridge
The UAE Central Bank achieved a significant milestone by executing its first cross-border digital dirham transfer worth 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) to China using the mBridge platform on January 29, marking a new era in digital currency transactions.
COVID-19 Relief Spurs Federal Reserve Towards Digital Payments with FEDNow
The Federal Reserve is accelerating towards digital payments technology as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to provide faster methods of relief. The United States central bank has announced the development of its own platform—FedNow.
DCG Completes Payment of Short-Term Debts to Dissolved Crypto Lender Genesis
Digital Currency Group paid up all short-term loans to Genesis, a previous bitcoin lending platform, as promised. DCG repaid $700 million in 2023 despite crypto sector woes. Genesis filed for bankruptcy in early 2023 after a withdrawal halt due to obligations of over $3.5 billion to its principal creditors. The bitcoin market is changing significantly with this development.
Mt. Gox Creditor Refutes Fake Report about Upcoming 140K BTC Release
Eric Wall has announced that Mt. Gox is not soon distributing coins. Wall has refuted claims that the exchange plans to distribute 140,000 Bitcoins soon to the affected investors.
Visa Blockchain Payments Will Help Promote Bank CBDC Integration
Visa is enhancing its blockchain payment drives among its merchants through research while forming partnerships with central banks for CBDC issuance
Stellar CEO Denelle Dixon Joins IMF Panel on Cross-Border Payments
Stellar CEO Denelle Dixon is slated to take part in the IMF's annual meeting today, to discuss the private-sector’s role in addressing the limitations of cross-border payments.
Washington DC Lawyers Can Now Accept Cryptocurrency Payments for Legal Services
Lawyers working within the metropolitan area of Washington DC can now accept cryptocurrency payments for legal services so long as the fee agreement is reasonable and fair, and the lawyer is able to safeguard their digital assets, the District of Columbia Bar stated in an ethics opinion.
Venezuela’s Main Airport to Accept Cryptos as Payment for Flight Tickets & Services
Freddy Borges, a director at Simon Bolivar International Airport, said that the airport would accept Dash, Petro alongside Bitcoin for ticket purchases and for other flight services.
US National Security at Risk Due to China Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
NBA champion Andre Iguodala to Accept Salary Payment in Bitcoin
American basketball player Andre Iguodala, who plays for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, tweeted Monday that he will accept bitcoin as a salary.
Crypto Exchange Gate.io Floats its Payment Solution Dubbed Gate Pay
Gate.io has launched its own crypto payment gateway dubbed Gate Pay
Bitso Rolls Out Crypto QR Payment Tool in Argentina
Starting from September 27, crypto payment will gradually be enabled for more than 1 million users in Argentina from the Bitso App with QR code.
Companies among S. American Nations are Optimistic Accepting Crypto, Study Shows
Companies permitting Bitcoin and other crypto payments have a more positive outlook in Brazil, Columbia, and Argentina, according to a study by financial payments processing firm CoinsPaid.
Coinbase and Trustly Collaborate to Streamline Crypto Transactions for Canadians
Coinbase partners with Trustly for Open Banking in Canada, enabling direct bank-to-crypto wallet transactions. This follows Coinbase's recent Canadian market expansion and US crypto derivatives approval.
Visa's Head of Crypto Products Leaves Visa to Pursue Personal Payments Startup
Daniel Mottice, head of crypto products at payment giant Visa, announced his decision to leave Visa on Wednesday.
Payment Firm Stripe Offers Positions by Hiring Engineers to Develop Crypto Strategy
Digital payment firm Stripe’s job posting on its social media channels states that it is looking for crypto engineers.
Facebook Launches Fintech Product Group F2 to Run Payments Across All its Apps
Facebook has expanded its fintech horizons and announced the launch of a new product group dedicated to payments purposes.
Florida Governor Reveals Plan to Permit Crypto Tax Payments
Speaking at a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis disclosed plans to roll out a cryptocurrency payment option for businesses remitting taxes.
Quiznos Testing Payment Feature to Allow Customers Pay in Bitcoins
Quiznos chain of restaurants will accept Bitcoin starting mid-August.
Japan Accelerates Digital Yen Plans Amidst Global CBDC Race
Japan is advancing its plans for a digital yen, with the Bank of Japan set to pilot a CBDC program and the finance ministry preparing an expert panel to address legalities, signaling a significant shift in Japan's traditional cash-centric economy.
Changshu Civil Servants to Receive Digital Yuan as Payment
Changshu, a city in China, announced that civil servants, including public service personnel and state-owned unit personnel, will receive their full salaries in digital RMB starting May 2023. The move is part of China's pilot program to establish an efficient and convenient digital RMB operation and management system by 2025.
Web3 users can now register .eth domains with fiat options
ENS has launched a fiat on-ramp for .eth domain registrations through MoonPay, allowing Web3 users to pay with fiat options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay instead of only Ether. ENS has also upgraded its platform to streamline sign-ups and expand its usability for hosting censorship-resistant websites.
NHL- San Jose Sharks To Accept Crypto for Tickets and Merchandise Sales
The San Jose Sharks ice hockey team will accept cryptocurrency as payment for season ticket purchases, sponsorship deals, suite leases, and merchandise next season. It's going to be the first NHL team to accept crypto.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Says You Can Now Buy a Tesla With Bitcoin
Elon Musk has revealed that customers can now purchase Tesla cars with Bitcoin as the mode of payment.
Thailand Considers Opening Crypto Payments for Russian and Ukrainian Tourists
Following Mastercard and Visa suspension of Russian credit cards abroad due to international sanctions imposed, Thailand, on the other hand, is looking at accepting crypto payments for transactions.
eBay Considers to Accept Crypto Payments for Entice Millennials
E-commerce marketplace eBay is likely on its way to accepting digital currency payments on its platform, attracting young generations.
TBD's Block Launches c= to Enhance Bitcoin Lightning Network
TBD, a division of Block, has launched c=, a venture aimed at improving the Bitcoin Lightning Network by providing added liquidity and routing services. The Lightning Network is a layer 2 payment network designed to make Bitcoin more accessible through faster, cheaper, and more reliable transactions.
Dash NEXT: Fostering Crypto Adoption in Asian Tourism
Felix Mago is the CEO of Dash Thailand, and has been working in the blockchain space since 2014 and one of the driving forces of cryptocurrency adoption in Thailand. He is the author of the “Bitcoin Handbook” and the co-founder of the Dash Embassy Thailand as well as the co-founder of Futerio, a southeast Asia based gateway to blockchain, ICOs, and OTC brokerage.
Ex-IMF Top Economist Shortlisted to Lead Roxe's CBDC Pursuit
Former IMF economist Andreas Jobst will lead Roxe's CBDC Solutions built to leverage the Bitcoin hashrate.
Jewellery Provider SFLMaven Rolls Out Bitcoin Payments, Eyeing for Metaverse
SFLMaven, a luxury jewellery and goods provider, has started accepting Bitcoin payments in the real world and the metaverse for high-end vintage jewellery items.
Hong Kong Vending Machines Accept Bitcoin Cash not Bitcoin Boasts Roger Ver
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) advocate Roger Ver recently took to Twitter to highlight a Hong Kong vending machine which accepts BCH and Ether as payment options but not Bitcoin. After asking why BCH was preferred over BTC, Ver was accused by popular YouTube Bitcoin influencer Tone Vays and trader Willy Woo of paying for Bitcoin’s omission.
Turkey Leveraging Blockchain to Break US Dollar and SWIFT Dominance
In an effort to break economic ties with the United States and escape the US Dollar dominance of the global markets, Turkey is adopting blockchain and cryptocurrency at a greatly accelerated rate.
Visa Developing Interoperable Transfers among CBDC Payments
Visa is rolling out a new interoperability feature facilitating digital currency payments among different parties. Visa aims to establish a bridge payment between digital currencies on the blockchain ecosystem.
Regulating the Metaverse: BIS's Call for Unity
BIS emphasizes the need for interoperable payment technologies and robust regulatory framework to prevent metaverse fragmentation and private interests dominance, emphasizing Central Bank Digital Currencies' importance.
MetaMask Launches "Buy Crypto" Feature
MetaMask has launched a new feature allowing users to purchase crypto with fiat currency directly from its Portfolio Dapp. The "Buy Crypto" feature will enable MetaMask users to purchase a wide range of cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, and it takes into account several factors such as user location and local regulations. The funds will then be deposited directly into the user’s MetaMask wallet.
China's Blockchain Initiative Hits Roadblock as Stakeholders Refuse to Share Private Data for Free
China’s blockchain initiative is going ahead full steam, but local and provincial officials are facing some resistance from stakeholders who are not enthusiastic about sharing their data.
MoneyGram Continues to Receive Millions in Development Fees From Ripple
Ripple continues to pump money into MoneyGram remittance services in market development fees as compensation for providing liquidity to its ODL XRP network.
Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez Accepts Paycheck 100% in Bitcoin
Francis Suarez, an American attorney and politician serving as the 43rd Mayor of Miami, announced on Twitter that he will get his next salary in Bitcoin (BTC).
Tesla Inc Purchases $1.5 Billion in Bitcoin and Plans to Begin Accepting BTC Payments
As per the US SEC filing announced on Monday, February 8, Tesla has invested $1.5 billion into Bitcoin and intends to accept the crypto payments.
Visa Approves Australian Startup CryptoSpend to Issue Debit Cards in Cryptos
The world's leading payment giant Visa approves the Australian startup CryptoSpend to issue debit cards for its customers to consume through cryptocurrencies.
Ripple Most Likely to Relocate Blockchain Firm to Japan Over Other Countries, Says SBI Holdings CEO
It appears that blockchain firm Ripple Labs may favor Japan over other locations when considering new headquarters outside of the United States.
ECB Advances Digital Euro Project into Preparation Phase
The ECB's progression into the preparation phase of the digital euro project marks a pivotal step towards modernizing Europe's financial infrastructure. The digital euro, envisioned as a secure, accessible, and private means of digital payment, holds the promise of fortifying the European monetary system in the digital age.
Zipmex Misses Buyout Payment
Cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex has missed the latest payment under its buyout agreement with venture capital firm V Venture. Without the $1.25 million payment, the Singapore-based exchange warned it may have to begin liquidating one of its units and suspend payroll.
Chinese Government to Consider Cross-Border East-Asian Stablecoin for Hong Kong Amid Implementing Controversial National Security Law
Chinese officials to consider a cross-border stablecoin in Hong Kong, to facilitate a cross-border payment network between three Asian countries, and four currencies China, Japan, and South Korea. The world’s second-largest economy is aiming to build Hong Kong into an international financial center in the digital economy era. At China’s annual “Two Sessions,” also known as the National People’s Congress, China’s most important annual political event in Beijing, officials set the decision to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong.
ECB President Lagarde: Digital Euro CBDC Will Complement Not Substitute Cash
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), said that a CBDC or digital euro would most likely work in tandem with fiat currency, not replace it.
Mastercard VP On Blockchain, Digital Assets and CBDC: “Everything Ends in Transactions and Payments”
Ashok Venkateswaran, Mastercard’s Blockchain and Digital Assets Lead, Asia Pacific shares insights on the payment giant's new blockchain and digital initiatives.
Luxury Hotel & Resort Group Pavilions Welcomes Bookings in Over 40 Cryptocurrencies
Luxury hotel and resort group Pavilions now accepts cryptocurrency bookings in over 40 virtual currencies, becoming the first international luxury boutique hotel group to embrace cryptocurrency for reservations.
FSB 2024 Agenda: Strengthening Crypto Regulation and Embracing AI"
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has announced its 2024 Work Programme, focusing on crypto regulation, AI, and digital innovation, aiming to enhance global cooperation and stability in finance.
MicroStrategy Announces Plans to Pay Its Board of Directors in Bitcoin
MicroStrategy has announced that some of its board of directors are now being paid in Bitcoin
Hong Kong Firm Prima Asia to Launch Blockchain Payment in APAC
Hong Kong-based startup Prima Asia Limited said it will launch innovative blockchain payment technology in the Asia-Pacific region this year.
Federal Reserve's Bowman Discusses Digital Currency Innovations Amid CBDC Debate
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman, in a discussion at Harvard Law School, explored the evolving digital payment landscape, touching on CBDC, stablecoins, and the necessity for a robust regulatory framework. While recognizing the potential of digital assets, she emphasized a cautious approach, underscoring the importance of continued research and international collaboration to navigate the digital transformation responsibly.
Walmart Canada Delves Deeper into Blockchain with DLT Labs Tie-Up
Walmart Canada has teamed up with DLT Labs for its blockchain-driven freight and payment network that is touted to be the world’s most prominent full production blockchain solution for any sector application.
Ripple Receives Approval for Digital Payment License from MAS
Ripple, a leading provider of enterprise blockchain and cryptocurrency solutions, has announced a significant milestone for its Singapore subsidiary, Ripple Markets APAC Pte Ltd.
Visa Integrating Cryptocurrency Services into Brazilian Banks
Visa is further expanding its cryptocurrency services. The payment giant firm is working in Brazil to integrate cryptocurrency services into the local banking system.
Worldwide Payment Provider Adopts New Crypto-to-Crypto Buy and Sell Feature
Skrill, a notable worldwide payment provider, has revealed about integrating a new option that permits the buying and selling of all cryptocurrencies into its platform. This strategy is intended at eradicating the urge of converting cryptocurrencies into fiat so that a purchase can be made.
Substack Plans to Start Accepting Bitcoin Payment for Digital Subscriptions
Online publishing platform Substack has announced plans to begin accepting Bitcoin for digital subscription payments.
Amazon Denies Accepting Bitcoin Payments, BTC Price Drops Afterward
E-commerce giant Amazon denies a rumour from media report that the company may accept Bitcoin payments by the end of this year.
Major Strip Club in Las Vegas Crazy Horse 3 Accepts Bitcoin as Payment
Las Vegas-based adult strip club Crazy Horse 3 has announced the acceptance of bitcoin as a payment method, aiming to provide customers with a more private way to enjoy facilities and services.
Will A Second Round of US Stimulus Payments Mean Another Bitcoin Bull Run?
As the second round of the US economic stimulus package is about to begin, crypto experts have been speculating on whether Americans will once again redirect their stimulus checks towards Bitcoin investments.
Hong Kong-listed Entertainment Firm HMVOD to Accept Bitcoin for Membership Subscriptions in October
In Hong Kong, an online entertainment platform HMVOD will accept Bitcoin to pay for membership subscriptions in October.
US Senate Banking Committee Chair Sends Letter to the OCC to Clarify Crypto Payment Rules
The US Senate Banking Committee Chair Mike Crapo sent a letter to the OCC to develop guidelines on digital payments.
Women in Payments CEO Answers: Could Facebook Libra Be a Huge Threat to Visa and Paypal?
Kristy Duncan, the CEO of Women in Payments the company in 2012, looking to add value in a different way, to connect, inspire, and champion women who are working in the payments industry globally. In our interview with Duncan, she shared with us the changing payment landscape with the emerging technologies in the sector.
Facebook’s Libra Could Do to the Payment Sector What Elon Musk's SpaceX Did to the Space Industry, Binance Research Reveals
Libra has released its updated whitepaper, marking several significant changes towards providing individual stablecoins for major fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and Libra Coin.
Bank of Korea Prepares for 2024 Public Trial of Its Central Bank Digital Currency
The Bank of Korea, South Korea's central bank, is setting the stage for its first public trial of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in 2024.
Facebook and Calibra Head David Marcus: What Problems Would Wholesale CBDCs Even Solve?
During a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum which included the topic of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), David Marcus, Head of Calibra, highlighted that digital currencies are the key to innovate cross-border payments and solve the issues of the unbanked—regardless of if that digital currency is Libra or not.
Citi Forecasts Major Shifts in Cross-Border Payments Landscape
Cross-border payments are expected to rise from $150 trillion in 2017 to over $250 trillion by 2027, marking a $100 trillion increase within a decade. Citi's Global Perspectives & Solutions report highlights the transformative potential of the industry, with 90% of financial institution clients believing at least 5% of market share will transition to FinTechs in the next 5-10 years. Challenges include legacy technologies and regulatory obligations.
Global Payments Partners with Bakkt, Offering Crypto and Loyalty Programmes
The collaboration will enable Global Payments to provide its customers with the ability to pay using digital assets within the Bakkt App.
Nytro Chain Offers A Seamless Transaction Experience For The Avalanche Network With Its Built-in Multi Payment Function
Nytro Chain is designed for high-volume transactions and has a built-in multi-payment function that allows senders to send digital assets to multiple wallet addresses
MicroStrategy Acquires More Bitcoin Amid Market Recovery
MicroStrategy has acquired 6,455 Bitcoin for $150 million and repaid its $205 million loan to Silvergate at a 22% discount, according to a filing with the US SEC. The company now holds a total of 138,955 BTC, bought for $4.1 billion at an average price of $29,817 per coin. MicroStrategy also sold class A common stock worth $500 million and acquired BTC between Feb. 16, 2023 and March 23, 2023.
Mastercard Expands Consulting Services to Crypto
Mastercard Inc is expanding its consulting services and is making commitments to a number of innovations in the cryptocurrencies market.
Deloitte Tests Remuneration of Its Staff Using Bitcoin
Deloitte one of the most reputable audit firms globally has shown plans of testing BTC payments on its staff for optimal adoption.
Luxury Watchmaker TAG Heuer to Accept Crypto Payments
TAG Heuer will accept the payment method after a deal with Bitpay.
Venezuelans to Bypass Hyperinflation with Bitcoin-Backed Synthetic US Dollars After Years of Extreme Economic Crisis
A cross-border remittance startup based in Colombia, Valiu has released a new Bitcoin-backed US dollars for Venezuelans to bypass the hyperinflation that has been tormenting their national economy.
ISO 20022—Central Banks Strike Back Against Bitcoin and DeFi Payments But XRP Price Will Surge
Central Banks are planning their own payments revolution which could eliminate most cryptos from the cross-border payments conversation - all except Ripple (XRP).
Ripple Gains Major Payments Institution License from Singapore's Monetary Authority
Ripple, a leading enterprise in blockchain and crypto solutions, has secured a Major Payments Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This follows the in-principle approval granted to Ripple in June 2023. The license will enable Ripple to continue offering regulated digital payment token services in Singapore, a key market for the company.
TIME Magazine to Start Accepting Cryptocurrencies as Subscription Payments
TIME Magazine has partnered with Crypto.com to roll out a crypto payment system for its magazine subscriptions.
Reserve Bank of Australia May Still Have Its Eye on CBDC After All
Reserve Bank of Australia's Tony Richards has said that the RBA will continue to consider the potentials of issuing a CBDC.
Paypal Crypto Owners Can Now Transfer Tokens to Wallets
Fintech giant Paypal Holdings has upgraded its crypto wallet capabilities. Users of the app can now send supported digital assets to other wallets.
Nearly 70% of Merchants Believe Crypto Payments will Revolutionize Business Models, Study Shows
The appetite for cryptocurrencies in e-commerce continues to gain steam as they offer more convenient and safer payment methods, according to a report by global payments solution provider Checkout.com.
Alchemy Pay Bolsters Hong Kong's Crypto Infrastructure with Enhanced Virtual Card Services
Alchemy Pay enhances Hong Kong's crypto infrastructure by adding new BINs for its Crypto Virtual Card, aligning with the region's evolving regulatory landscape and advancing global crypto payment solutions.
JPMorgan Hires Former Microsoft Executive Tahreem Kampton to Its Digital Assets-Related Payments Group
Kampton comes with in-depth professional experience that will enable JPMorgan to develop its digital asset and blockchain division.
PayPal Confirms Its Plan to Develop Cryptocurrency Capabilities in its Letter to the European Commission
In a letter to the European Commission in March 2020, payment giant PayPal has now confirmed that has it is actively working to bring cryptocurrencies capabilities on its platform. In the detailed letter, PayPal said that it has taken tangible and unilateral steps to further develop its capabilities in the cryptocurrency space.
US Rep. Tom Emmer Fears Criticism of Digital Payment Innovation May Repress Progress
In a congressional hearing which was held on January 30, US Representative Tom Emmer has expressed his concern about the excessive criticism of innovations in digital payment, saying that it may repress its progress.
US Wealth Manager Confirms on CNBC that PayPal Will Enable Merchant Cryptocurrency Payments
Wealth manager, Sandi Bragar, considers PayPal as the best choice for businesses because of its bet on cryptocurrency.
McDonald’s Begins Accepting Bitcoin as Payment Method in El Salvador, Starbucks & Pizza Hut Follow
McDonald’s move signals that multiple businesses are going to start accepting Bitcoin payments in El Salvador. Bitcoin is set to continue going mainstream, with El Salvador formally recognizing the crypto as legal tender.
UAE's Central Bank Nears Launch of Digital Dirham
The UAE's central bank is close to launching its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital dirham, for domestic and cross-border payments. The CBUAE has partnered with G42 Cloud and R3 to be the infrastructure and technology providers for the CBDC implementation, which will boost financial inclusion and help the country become a cashless society. The first phase of the CBDC strategy includes the soft launch of "mBridge," proof-of-concept work for bilateral CBDC bridges with India, and domestic CBDC issuance for wholesale and retail use.
Libra Association Appoints Former Homeland Security General Counsel to Head Its Legal Services
Libra appoints Stevan Bunnell, former Homeland security department general counsel, as its own general counsel.
Luxury Fashion Firm Farfetch Begins Accepting Crypto Payments
Farfetch has announced it will begin accepting cryptocurrency payments for its goods and services in the next couple of months
Circle's New APIs Simplify Complex Crypto Concepts For Mass Institutional Adoption
Circle Builds Layers of Simplicity over Complex Crypto Concepts for Business to Trigger Digital Adoption
Republic of Palau Partners with Ripple to develop National Digital Currency Strategy
Ripple has been tapped to help Palau develop a U.S. dollar-backed digital currency, which is seen as a viable alternative to CBDC.
Alchemy Pay Expands U.S. Footprint with Iowa Money Services License
Alchemy Pay, a prominent crypto-fiat payment gateway, has secured a Money Services License in Iowa, marking a significant expansion in the U.S. market and enhancing its global compliance portfolio.
U.S. Payment Network Affirm Promotes Crypto Trading Services via Debit Card
American payment company Affirm announced that it plans to launch a debit card that will add cryptocurrency buying and selling functions, allowing users with affirm's savings accounts to buy and sell cryptocurrencies freely.
Swiss's Luxury Hotel Chedi Andermatt Accepts Cryptocurrency Payments
After four years of negotiations, Chedi Andermatt, a luxury hotel located in the Swiss Alps, finally passed a cryptocurrency payment plan.
Google Pay Opens Door to Mainstream Payments for Coinbase's Crypto-Debit Card
Coinbase Card and Google Pay have partnered to increase the liquidity of cryptos and provide a new form of convenient payment options to clients. Coinbase customers now can use their cards via easy mainstream mobile payments.
PayPal Exposed of Overcharging Clients: Can Bitcoin be the Remedy?
The news has been making the rounds again as grievances have been seen expressed about the exploitative conversion fees being charged by PayPal.
Blockchain Payment Company Facepay Launches Facepay Crypto Service
Blockchain payments company Facepay Inc. announced the release of Facepay Crypto, bringing cryptocurrency payments to auto stores.
J.P. Morgan Creates Onyx Blockchain Unit As JPM Coin Leveraged for Cross-Border Payments
JPMorgan Chase has set the ball rolling by deploying its digital currency, the JPM Coin, for commercial purposes creating a new blockchain business unit dubbed Onyx.
Polish Crypto Payments Firm Ramp Network Raises $52.7M in Series A Funding
Ramp Network, a Polish-born crypto payments service provider has concluded its Series A funding round, attracting high-profile investors who pumped $52.7 million into the startup.
First Blockchain National Currency Platform Ready for Central Banks’ CBDC Issuance
The blockchain national currency platform issued by blockchain company Apollo Fintech was finalized and completed on August 12.
G20 Lays Regulatory Foundation to Accept Digital Payments by November Summit
G20 officials have announced that they will begin the preliminary regulatory groundwork for the group to accept digital payments.
Bulgaria to Introduce Crypto Payment Options
The Bulgarian government is currently in discussion with industry stakeholders and the Bulgarian National Bank with respect to its crypto payment initiative.
US Federal Reserve Weighs the Pros and Cons of a Digital Dollar CBDC
The US Federal Reserve has continued to research the benefits and impact of implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Mt. Gox Updates Creditors on Repayment Progress
Mt. Gox cryptocurrency exchange has provided an update on its repayment progress for creditors. The company's rehabilitation trustee, Nobuaki Kobayashi, announced that the deadline for creditors to provide their repayment information has passed, and that repayments will be carried out until October 31, 2023, with the possibility of an extension. The repayment process is expected to take some time due to necessary preparations.
Bitpay Announces the First Large Online International Furniture Brand to Go Live
Beliani, a European online home accessory and furniture seller, has inked a partnership with BitPay, a US-based bitcoin payment service provider, to allow buyers make purchases using cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ripple, Ether, and Bitcoin Cash, as well as dollar-pegged stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC). This approach will enable shoppers to save 2-3% on every crypto transaction made compared to other payment methods.
Santander Imposes Limit on Crypto Transactions for UK Customers
Santander to impose a £1,000 transaction limit on its crypto customers in the UK
Gucci to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments in US
The world-renowned luxury brand Gucci will accept cryptocurrency payments by the end of this month and plans to roll it out to direct-operated North American stores this summer.
AMC Entertainment to Accept Bitcoin as a Payment Method for Ticket Purchases by Year-end
AMC Entertainment, the leading American movie theatre chain, said it would accept bitcoin as a payment method for ticket purchases and discounts by the end of this year.
Minima Launches Crypto Payment App with Minipay As Pilot Partner
Minima and Minipay’s NFC technology will allow retailers and businesses to incorporate new crypto payment rails and accept, process, and settle digital asset transactions instantly from customers.
Payment Giant Visa Sets to Modify PoS Charges to New Business Categories
United States-based merchants are set to see an adjustment in fees to be paid as part of huge updates of payment giant Visa point-of-sale (PoS) system.
Depegging of USDC and DAI Saves Borrowers $100 Million
The depegging of USD Coin (USDC) and Dai (DAI) from the US dollar resulted in more than $2 billion in loan repayments on decentralized lending protocols Aave and Compound, with borrowers saving a total of over $100 million. USDC and DAI started heading back toward their peg, and repayment activity tapered off in the following days.
Mastercard Collaborates with Bakkt to Expand Encryption Solutions & Join Loyalty Program
Payment giant Mastercard cooperates with the U.S. Institutional Exchange Bakkt by expanding integrated cryptocurrency solutions and payment services.
Spanish Opposition Party Partido Popular Proposes Bill Allowing Crypto Payment for Mortgage
Spain opposition party- Partido Popular (PP) party has proposed a bill allowing the use of cryptocurrency to pay for mortgage loans.
South African Supermarket Chain Pick n Pay Starts Accepting Bitcoin Payments
The development of Pick n Pay means that South African shoppers can now purchase food and other goods online with Bitcoins.
Oobit Secures $25M in Series A Led byTether and CMCC Globa
Oobit, a mobile crypto payments app, has closed a $25 million Series A funding round, led by Tether, CMCC Global, Anatoly Yakovenko, and 468 Capital.
Seven Key Takeaways You Need to Know About Central Bank Digital Currencies
Why are Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) important? Do we really need them? What are the implications? How will they be designed? Here are seven key takeaways you need to know.
Ripple to Cash In One-Third of its Stake in MoneyGram
Leading blockchain payments company Ripple plans to sell a third of its stake in American money transfer firm MoneyGram.
Visa New Crypto Consulting Services to Promote Mainstream Development of Cryptos
Payment giant Visa said that it will launch a new consulting service focused on the cryptocurrency field to help customers gain a deeper understanding of cryptocurrencies.
Federal Reserve Considers a FEDcoin in Wake of Rising Stablecoin and CBDC Development
Federal Reserve Governor, Lael Brainard said that the Fed is weighing the developments and policy issues in the digital payments sector and experimenting with central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in consideration of potentially issuing it own digital currency.
3 Benefits You Need to Know About Cryptocurrency Credit Cards
A breaking story shows that MedeTrade crypto exchange has integrated Dash in its Visa cryptocurrency credit and debit card. Therefore, crypto users need to know about benefits associated with cryptocurrency visa card.
BitGo Secures MPI License Approval in Singapore
BitGo has received in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from Singapore's MAS, allowing it to expand its crypto services in the region. This aligns with Singapore's robust regulatory standards and BitGo's commitment to security in digital asset transactions.
Paypal CEO Dan Schulman Doubles Down on Crypto Future Potential
Paypal’s Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman said he is excited about the future of digital currencies and their inherent role in the payments ecosystem.
London-based Micropayment Platform pingNpay to Debut in 2022
London-based micropayment company pingNpay announced Monday to launch its network next year by providing a small amount payment platform to customers, according to its press release,
Mastercard Enhances Crypto Wallet and Exchange Business
Payment giant Mastercard announced Tuesday to enhance its function and experiment for cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges to their clients. The card issuer cooperates with multiple crypto enterprises to convert crypto and traditional fiat money more accessible.
Massive Online Transition for Tax and Fee Business in China, Digital Yuan Payment in Pilot Use
Shen Xinguo, Director of the Taxpayer Services Division of the State Administration of Taxation, announced that 96% of tax matters and 99% of tax declarations in China can now be handled online, marking a significant move towards digitalization in the country's financial sector.
Tesla Reveals Possibly to Resume Bitcoin Payments for Products
Months after it stopped accepting Bitcoin payments for its electric automobiles, American car manufacturing giant, Tesla has hinted at the possibility of continuing this pro-Bitcoin move in the near future
Blockchain in Fintech Sector Expected to Hit $31.4B by 2030
Blockchain in the FinTech market is anticipated to reach $31.4 billion by 2030, given that the penetration of this cutting-edge technology in the financial industry has boosted app-based operations.
Visa Announces $100 Million Fund for Generative AI in Commerce and Payments
Visa Inc. has announced a $100 million fund to invest in generative AI technologies that are relevant to commerce and payments. The initiative, led by Visa Ventures, aims to foster innovation in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
The Importance of Embedded Finance in Today's Fintech World
Banking, lending, insurance, payments, and branded credit cards are popular integrated financial products.
Bitcoin Flips Visa Again
Bitcoin (BTC) market valuation surpassed Visa's after a near 50% price increase in 2023. BTC has "flipped" the payment giant three times.
Court Approves Voyager Digital's Acquisition by Binance.US
The US District Court rejected the government's appeal to halt Binance.US's acquisition of bankrupt brokerage company Voyager Digital. The court confirmed its prior approval of Voyager Digital's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, which involves selling assets to Binance.US to repay customers. The court also allowed Binance.US to issue repayment tokens to impacted Voyager customers, despite objections by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Visa CEO Says the Payment Giant Will Add Cryptocurrencies to Its Payments Network
Visa has come out in support of digital currencies and believes that cryptocurrencies have the potential to improve the value of digital payments and create more accessibility.
ECB Plans to Lead CBDC Exploration to Unleash Global Power of the Euro
Fabio Panetta, a member of the Executive Board of the ECB, stated in his address to the European Parliament that the ECB intends to remain at the forefront of discussions concerning the nature of money in a digital world, including the exploration of the desirability and feasibility of establishing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Nearly 25% of Small Businesses in 9 Countries Intend to Roll Out Crypto Payment Option: Visa
Payment giant Visa conducts a study indicating that almost a quarter of small businesses spread across 9 nations intend to introduce the crypto payment option this year.
FTX's Restructuring Plan: Aiming for Full Customer Repayment Without Relaunching Exchange
FTX aims to fully reimburse its customers and creditors as part of its restructuring plan. This approach, focusing on repayment without relaunching the exchange, is based on valuations of assets as of November 2022, drawing mixed reactions from the crypto community.
Federal Reserve Chairman Powell to Address IMF on Digital Currencies Next Week
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will be speaking to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week as part of a panel on cross-border digital payments.
ECB to Meet the Growing Demand for Digital Payments with a CBDC Digital Euro
President of the ECB Christine Lagarde broached the topic of CBDC issuance and why the bank was seriously considering the creation of a digital euro.
BRICS Alliance Considers Creating New Currency
The BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is reportedly exploring the possibility of creating its own currency, according to a top Russian official. Alexander Babakov, State Duma Deputy Chairman, stated that the currency could be based on new monetary ties and could be secured by gold and other commodities. The move is seen as a way to distance the BRICS nations from US dollar hegemony and to promote their shared objectives.
Mastercard Survey Suggests that Consumer Appetite for Cryptocurrency Payments Is Surging
Mastercard released a report on May 4 that revealed that there is a growing demand for digital payments.
Crypto.Com Secures EMI License to Offer Bank Transfers to Maltase Customers
Crypto.com has obtained a license to operate in Malta, expanding its international footprint for its global money transfer services.
GoSats Pairs with NPCI to Launch a New Bitcoin Cashback Reward Card in India
The Bitcoin Rewards app GoSats has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India (also known as NPCI) to launch a new cash-back reward card in India.
Financial Conduct Authority, on the 2 Key Initiatives to the Era of Open Finance
Following the Part 1 interview of the Financial Conduct Authority, Maha El Dimachki, Head of Payments of the FCA reveals some of her key initiatives in the FCA, including the significance of the second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) among the EU countries and the rationale of the Stronger Customer Authentication. As Co-Chair of Spectrum, the BAME Network Group at the FCA, El Dimachki also provided some advice for women in FinTech!
MoonPay Looks to Fuel Global Expansion With $555M Funding
Crypto payments company MoonPay has raised $555 million in its first-ever Series A funding round, earning the firm a unicorn valuation of $3.4 billion.
Burger King Brazil Accepts Dogecoin as a Payment Method for Purchasing a Dog Snack "Dogpper"
The Brazilian branches of Burger King, an American premium fast food service company, officially announced yesterday that it will accept Dogecoin as a payment method for the purchase of a dog snack called "Dogpper".
Qatari National Bank to Explore Cross-Border Payment Solutions With Ripple
The Qatari National Bank (QNB) is set to launch a cross-border payment solution, powered by blockchain payments firm Ripple Labs Inc.
Riksbank's Final Report on e-Krona Explores Offline Payment Solutions
Sweden's Riksbank concludes its e-Krona pilot, highlighting the development of offline payment technologies like "shadow wallets" and payment cards.
G20-Backed FSB Sets Out Roadmap for Stablecoins and CBDCs, Optimizing Cross-Border Payment System
The FSB, a G20-backed think tank, has cited the duo of government-issued CBDCs and stablecoins as key drivers in the pursuit of better cross-border payments.
Reap Leverages Fireblocks to Enable Crypto Repayments with the Reap Card
Reap, the global fintech company powering expense management through the industry first Reap Visa Corporate Card (“Reap Card”) platform, launches industry-leading innovation by including cryptocurrency repayments functionality for the Web3 industry. Together with the Reap Card, Reap is offering expense management software that will enable web3 companies to settle their fiat payments with cryptocurrencies.
Norwegian Air Set to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments
Amazing times ahead for travelers in Norway as Norwegian Airline, one of the largest in Europe is set to accept the use of cryptocurrency as a means of payments for flight booking.
Worldline and Ingenico Will Merge Creating FinTech Payments Super Giant
French fintech giants, Ingenico and Worldline are merging in a deal worth €7.8 billion to create the fourth largest company in the global financial technologies sector.
Wirex Moves on From Defunct Wirecard, Secures New Partnership with Railsbank
Crypto service provider Wirex has moved on from Wirecard,. The company has secured a new partnership with Railsbank
USL Footballer Alex Crognale Now Receives 15% of His Salary in Bitcoin
United Soccer League (USL) footballer, Alex Crognale now receives as much as 15% of his salary from his club, Birmingham Legion in Bitcoin (BTC).
Is Ripple’s Blockchain-Powered XRP Ledger Superior to SWIFT for Cross-Border Payments?
Ripple, compared to SWIFT payments network, may be a cheaper, more transparent, and more secure alternative for the future of payments and online banking.
Actinver, BNP Paribas, Citibank, And JPMorgan Go Live on CLS Blockchain Platform
Four banks (JPMorgan, Citibank, BNP Paribas, and Actinver) go live on CLS blockchain bilateral payments netting platform.
Legalizing Crypto Payments Will Happen "Sooner or Later": Russia Trade Minister
In a recent revelation, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said the move to legalize cryptocurrencies as a means of payment in the country is bound to happen “sooner or later.”
Crypto Innovations and IBM's Role in the Evolving Payments Landscape
The digital transformation of finance, driven by cryptocurrencies and Central Bank Digital Currencies, is reshaping the industry. Traditional banks face challenges in maintaining market share, while regulatory bodies are enhancing oversight. IBM, a tech giant, offers solutions for this new era, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and fostering seamless customer experiences.
Coinbase Secures Major Payment Institution License from Singapore's Monetary Authority
Coinbase has obtained a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), marking a significant milestone in its expansion into the Asian market. The license will enable Coinbase to offer digital payment token services to both individual and institutional clients in Singapore. This move aligns with the company's strategy to tap into Singapore's growing crypto and Web3 ecosystem.
BIS Survey: 93% of Central Banks Engaged in CBDCs, 15 Retail and 9 Wholesale CBDCs Expected by 2030
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has released a survey revealing that 93% of central banks are now engaged in some form of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) work, with retail CBDCs taking the lead over wholesale CBDCs.
Alipay Officially Bans All Bitcoin-Related Transactions
Alipay, one of the most popular digital payment systems under China’s Alibaba group, officially stated that it would be banning all payment transactions related to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Bahrain-Based Crypto Platform to Enable Real Estate Acquisition Using Crypto
CoinMena, a Bahrain-based crypto asset service provider, has teamed up with Carlton Real Estate, to facilitate real estate purchases using cryptocurrencies.
Visa Files Trademark Applications for Crypto Products, Including NFTs
Payment giant Visa has filed two trademark applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) concerning cryptocurrency wallets, NFTs, and the Metaverse.
Mercari Japan Embraces Bitcoin Payments
Mercari, Japan's e-commerce leader, announces Bitcoin payment integration by June 2024, leveraging its subsidiary Melcoin. This reflects Japan's advanced crypto regulatory environment, fostering digital currency adoption in commerce.
Circle Files with The US SEC Intends to Become a National Cryptocurrency Bank
Circle intends to become a full reserve national commercial bank as a part of the potential solution, the company explains its core services heavily rely on third parties that create business risks.
87% of Merchants Believe Crypto Payments Enhancing Competitive Advantage: Deloitte Survey
87% of merchants believe crypto payments will enable them to stay at the top of their game based on the competitive advantage rendered, according to a survey by big four audit firm Deloitte.
US Senator Pat Toomey Eyes Senate Banking Committee Chair and Digital Currency Regulations
United States Senator Pat Toomey said he will take on digital currency regulation and payments reforms should he become the Senate Banking Committee’s next chairman.
SpankChain Shuts Down SpankPay Crypto Payment Processor
Ethereum-based adult entertainment platform SpankChain has closed down its crypto payment processor, SpankPay, after losing its payment service provider Wyre in February and failing to find a new one.
Ripple Outpaced Other Blockchain Companies on Inc's List of Fastest-Growing US Companies
Ripple has outpaced other indigenous blockchain companies on a recently published list of 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
Financial Conduct Authority, the Pacemaker of the UK FinTech Revolution
We arranged an interview with Maha El Dimachki, Head of Payments of the FCA during Singapore FinTech Festival, which El Dimachki shares with us the contribution of the FCA for UK as the thriving FinTech hub, opportunities and threats of e-money firms from the current digital disruption.
Ripple (XRP) Check Feature May Soon See the Light of Day
The long-awaited Ripple Check may soon be launched as the margin for the needed votes by the network's validators narrows. With the Check feature, institutions and users will find flexibility in money exchange and adherence to compliance.
NYDIG Launches Bitcoin Savings Plan for Employees
NYDIG, a company specialising in providing Bitcoin investment and technology solutions, announced on Feb. 1 the launch of an employee bitcoin savings plan that allows employees to convert a portion of their salary into bitcoin.
ASX Delays Blockchain-Based CHESS Replacement to April 2023
The Australian Securities Exchange has delayed the blockchain replacement for its CHESS settlement system for financial products, until April 2023.
Croatia's Top Supermarket Brand Now Accepts Crypto Payments
The largest supermarket company in the European nation of Croatia, Konzum, says it is possible to buy all of its products online and pay with one of 9 supported digital currencies.
UWM Holdings Corp Plans to Accept Crypto for Mortgage Payment this Year
MI. UWM Holdings Corp, a large-scale wholesale mortgage lender in the United States, said it plans to accept cryptocurrency to satisfy mortgage payment this year.
China's Antitrust Agency Urged By the PBOC to Probe Alipay and WeChat Pay
In a move similar to the US antitrust hearing, the People’s Bank of China has prompted the nations top antitrust body to probe Alipay and WeChat
QNB Extends RippleNet Remittance Transfer to the Phillippines
The duo of the Qatari National Bank (QNB) and China Banking Corporation (China Bank), are expanding the remittance capabilities of the RippleNet protocol for the benefit of Filipinos living in Qatar.
Blockchain-Powered Devices to be Worth More Than $23.5 Billion by 2030 According to Business Intelligence Firm
According to a market research report availed by P&S Intelligence, a business intelligence consulting services firm, the worldwide blockchain devices market was worth $0.3 billion in 2019 but is expected to surpass $23.5 billion by 2030.
WhatsApp to Test Crypto Payments in U.S. by Using Novi Digital Wallet
WhatsApp is getting into the payments game with a new pilot test for sending and receiving cryptocurrency in its mobile app.
NiceHash Keeps Promise to Reimburse Victims of 2017 Security Breach
NiceHash is making good on its promise to repay victims of the 2017 security breach of its exchange, which saw over 4640 BTC stolen ($55,680,000 in Bitcoin at the time).
LINE to Offer BTC, ETH for Payment Options and Introduce token in March
Messenger app LINE is considering adding cryptocurrencies to its payment options and officially launching its native LINK token (LN) in March.
Fireblocks Debut Crypto Payments Engine After Successful Trial With Checkout.com
Fireblocks is expanding its crypto offerings with new payment engine
Switzerland's Canton of Zug Will Accept Bitcoin and Ethereum For Tax Payments From 2021
The canton of Zug in Switzerland plans to start accepting taxes in cryptocurrencies from the beginning of next year.
Florida Warns Residents About the Rise of Auto Warranty Scammers Asking Crypto Payments
Consumers lose billions worth of US dollars to fraudulent calls every year, and auto-warranty calls are the biggest source of grief. Florida government warns consumers about scam "auto warranty" robocalls.
Stripe Launches USDC Payments via Polygon
Stripe has begun providing businesses with the ability to pay their customers in crypto through USDC stablecoin.
New Bitcoin Lightning Network Vulnerability Exposed: The Replacement Cycling Attack
A new vulnerability termed as "replacement cycling attack" on the Lightning Network has been unveiled by a developer known as mononaut. The attack manipulates the transaction mechanism of the network, potentially causing financial loss to users. This revelation has led to the resignation of security researcher Antoine Riard from the Lightning Network development team. Despite the challenges, the network's locked-in value stands at $159.5 million, indicating its growing popularity since 2018.
Rio de Janeiro to Accept Crypto Property Tax Payment from 2023
Rio de Janeiro is gearing up to be the first city on Brazilian soil to accept tax payments in cryptocurrencies from 2023.
Ecommerce Giant JD.com Accepts China’s Digital Yuan as Payments on Singles Day Shopping Fest
Top ecommerce JD.com accepted China’s digital currency payments during its 11-day Singles Day sales event.
Sygnum Singapore Secures MPI License from MAS
Sygnum Singapore’s acquisition of a Major Payment Institution Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore comes amidst a wave of similar regulatory approvals by entities like Coinbase, Blockchain.com, and Crypto.com. This development broadens Sygnum's service offerings and positions it strongly in a competitive yet regulated digital asset market landscape in Singapore, thereby potentially attracting a wider segment of institutional clientele.
Bitvo abandons FTX purchase
Bitvo's shareholder, Pateno Payments, has discontinued the acquisition deal with FTX Canada and FTX Trading. The firm emphasized that its operations have not been affected. Bitvo has never owned, listed or traded the FTX Token FTT or "any similar token". The FTX-owned crypto exchange Liquid suspended its fiat and crypto withdrawals on its Liquid Global platform. FTX acquired the Japanese exchange and its affiliates in February 2022.
Mastercard Will Support Direct Cryptocurrency Payments on its Network this Year
Mastercard Inc has disclosed that preparations are underway to start supporting some cryptocurrencies directly on its network by the end of the year.
French Luxury Giant Balenciaga Rolls Out Crypto Payment Options
Following Gucci’s footsteps, French luxury fashion house Balenciaga has announced plans to accept crypto payments in selected U.S. stores and its online platform balenciaga.com.
U.S. sanctions: Customers suing Compass Mining
Compass Mining customers are suing for $2 million for fraud. The firm terminated connections with Russian hosting provider Bit River and didn't restore clients' Bitcoin machines. It cut connections with Bit River over non-applicable US sanctions.
Ripple Report: Crypto Payments to Save $10 Billion, Speed Up Transactions by 2030
Crypto payments are forecasted to save $10 billion and accelerate transactions by 2030, according to a Ripple report.
Binance Rolls Out Crypto Tourism
Binance has launched an inaugural crypto-sponsored vacation dubbed crypto tourism meant to illustrate simple, secure, and efficient travel in Web 3.0.
European Central Bank President: Coronavirus Has Accelerated Digital Currency Adoption
COVID-19 has led to an acceleration in digital payments adoption and technological innovation, as seen by the spending pattern of European citizens.
Ripple Unlocks 1 Billion XRP From Escrow, XRP Trades Heavy As US Dollar Loses Value
Ripple has unlocked 1 billion XRP tokens and is being heavily traded as the US dollar continues to lose value.
The End of Physical Cash is an Inevitable Reality and Not to be Feared Says Union Bank President
As the world tries to come to terms with the coronavirus outbreak, recently Edwin Bautista chief executive and president of UnionBank of the Philippines revealed how digital services could support consumers as they increasingly self-isolate themselves or have to work remotely for an extended timeframe. The fintech leader projected the end of cash as the coronavirus crisis provokes banks to fast track the shift towards digital. But will the end of physical cash become a reality? The trend towards cashless remains inevitable as the current events seem to accelerate this process.
Binance Partners with Payment Platform Latam Gateway, Resuming Deposits and Withdrawals Service
Binance cryptocurrency exchange, the world’s largest crypto exchange platform by trading volume has announced a partnership with Brazilian payments platform Latam Gateway to restore deposits in Brazilian reals in the region.
Ripple Faces Trademark Lawsuit in Australia for 'PayID' Infringement
Ripple Labs is facing a lawsuit by New Payments Platform Australia (NPPA) for allegedly violating intellectual property rights for the branding of ‘PayID’.
Four Countries to Conduct Cross Border CBDC Payment Trials
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has joined forces with the central banks of South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia to kick start a project dubbed Dunbar aimed at testing the use CBDCs in cross border payments.
Binance Crypto Exchange Launches Fintech Payment Firm Bifinity
Binance's latest fintech firm Bifinity will connect businesses and merchants to cryptocurrency and other popular traditional payment services.
Austrian Telecom Provider Adds Cryptocurrencies to its Payments Network
With A1 Telekom’s move to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies as a means of payment, Austrians now have more options in digital transaction payments
UK Consumers Need Better Education on BNPL & Crypto Payments: Research
ECOMMPAY said that UK consumers need more education on how to use BNPL and cryptocurrency payments safely.
WeChat Adds Digital Yuan Payment Functionality
WeChat has integrated the digital yuan into its payment services, allowing users to make payments through the platform. The move aims to increase the digital yuan’s appeal and follows a similar integration by Alipay.
Portsmouth City Now Opens to Pay Taxes in Crypto
England’s Portsmouth has announced that its residents can now pay their taxes and other fees in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies supported on the Paypal app.
Web3 Payments Company Fuse Launched the Payment API Platform Fuse Charge
Web3 payments revolution Fuse officially launched the blockchain payment API platform Fuse Charge.
BigCommerce Partners with BitPay & Coinpayments to Enable Crypto Payments for Merchants
Amidst a rise in global demand for alternative payment solutions, BigCommerce provides merchants of all kinds with a scalable solution to accept crypto payments.
Why Facebook's Libra Is Not A Real Cryptocurrency
Facebook on Tuesday announced its Bitcoin rival called Libra, a cryptocurrency created by a Facebook subsidiary called Calibra that will be managed by an oversight body called the Libra Association. The Libra coin will not be available immediately, as the announcement only covers the vision and technology behind the Facebook blockchain. But the company says Libra will be private, mostly.
Singapore’s Central Bank and JP Morgan Build a Blockchain System for Multi-currency Cross-Border Payments
Blockchain has been making headlines for quite some time now and banks have been widely talking about distributed ledger technology. Several financial institutions and banks have set up innovation labs to carry out proof of concepts so that to explore modern-day technology. A few days ago, Singapore’s Central Banks and JPMorgan announced that they are working on a blockchain pilot system, which is identified to have the potential to initiate multi-currency cross-border payments.
Blockchain.com Obtains Digital Payment Token License in Singapore
Blockchain.com has secured a Major Payment Institution License from Singapore's MAS, joining 3,427 licensed firms across banking, capital markets, and more.
Brazilian Fintech Firm PicPay Plans to Launch Crypto Services
Brazilian financial technology company, PicPay wants to bring crypto payments to its users by using its app.
Block's Cash App Bitcoin Revenue Falls 7%
Jack Dorsey's Block Inc. reported a 7% reduction in Bitcoin sales in Q4, with its Cash App producing $25 million of BTC gross profit, down 25% YoY.
RippleNet Expands Access to Cross-Border Payments in the Asian Market with Thai FinTech Partnership
Thailand-based fintech company DeeMoney has joined RippleNet to process more efficient money transfers with competitive rates and low fees for all of Asia.
AMC to Accept Crypto alongside Bitcoin at Movie Theaters before the End of This Year
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc has disclosed that it will accept a variety of cryptocurrencies as payment for tickets and concession payments at all US theatres by the end of the year.
Dock Plans to Use Cryptos for International Money Transfers: Reuters
Brazilian financial services platform Dock offers solutions for the entire ecosystem of digital payments and banking. It plans to utilise crypto for international remittances, expanding markets in the Latin American and European regions.
Strike Secures $80m in Funding to Propel Instant Bitcoin Payments
Strike raised $80 million in funding to revamp BTC payments for top financial institutions, marketplaces, and merchants.
Sequoia Software Firm to Pay Employees in Bitcoin
United States-based Sequoia Software Firm is the latest to offer its employees the option to receive part of their salaries in Bitcoin.
Leading Vietnamese Bank Joins RippleNet to Boost Cross-Border Remittances
Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), a large Vietnamese bank with assets worth $4.6 billion, has joined RippleNet as a strategic partner after a 10-month wait.
Singapore Air Charter Embraces Cryptocurrency and Flexible Payment Options
Singapore Air Charter introduces flexible instalment plans and cryptocurrency payments, enhancing accessibility to its premium aviation services as of August 16, 2023.
Crypto Payments Ranks as Top Suggestion to Airbnb, Customers Request Better Service
Airbnb’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Brain Chesky, said followers are asking the company for integrating digital currency payments ranks as the top suggestion.
Why A-List Celebrities Are Still Promoting Unvetted NFT
Danis tweeted a picture and website URL that “literally spells out S.C.A.M.”
Global Crypto Payment App Industry Value to Hit $2.15 Billion by 2030
The surging adoption of blockchain technology is expected to enhance the market size of the worldwide cryptocurrency payments app sector to a value of $2.15 billion by 2030, data shows.
MoneyGram CEO Sees Stablecoin As Future of Payments as Service Needs Grow
Stablecoins provide low-cost and easily accessible digital payments across international borders.
Luxury Miami Condominium Arte Now Accepts Bitcoin and Ethereum as a Form of Payment
Arte by Antonio Citterio, a high-end luxury condominium located in Miami, announced to accept cryptocurrency as a payment method for luxury residences and developments.
Gate Pay and CityPay.io Partner to Bring Cryptocurrency Payments to Georgia
Gate Pay has partnered with CityPay.io to offer cryptocurrency payment alternatives to over 600 merchants in Georgia, including restaurant chain Wendy’s. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between Web3 and people’s daily lives.
Leading Kitchen Equipment Provider CKitchen Embraces Cryptocurrencies
To keep track of evolving market trends, CKitchen, a leading US-based kitchen and restaurant equipment provider, has rolled out a crypto payment option
Unstoppable Domains and Chainlink Introduce Twitter Verification for Crypto Payments
Unstoppable Domains and Chainlink, the secure oracle network, have launched a Twitter authentication service for .crypto addresses.
Bank of England Chooses Accenture To Rebuild UK Payment System
Accenture has won a tender with the UK’s central bank to assist in building the UK’s new RTGS (real-time gross settlement) service.
Crypto Payment Provider Alchemy Pay to Launch Virtual Crypto-Linked Card Backed by Visa and Mastercard
The leading crypto payment technology provider Alchemy Pay (ACH) announced that it will launch the Virtual Crypto-Linked card, aiming to expand the scope of cryptocurrency payments to meet the growing demand for crypto-related card transactions.
GSR Secures Major Payment Institution Licence from Singapore's MAS
GSR, a global cryptocurrency trading firm, has received In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The approval allows GSR's Singapore subsidiary, GSR Markets Pte. Ltd., to better serve the cryptocurrency community. The news comes a day after Coinbase Singapore announced its full licence, highlighting the competitive yet regulated crypto landscape in Singapore.
OCC Says US Banks Can Use Blockchains and Stablecoins in Bank Payments
According to the OCC, regulated banks in the US can leverage stablecoins to conduct payments as well as participate as validator nodes on blockchain networks called INVNs.
Iran to Allow Digital Currency Payments for International Trade
Iran is notably about to double down on its love for digital currencies as a local media platform, Mehr News reports the country is on track to accept cryptocurrencies for international transactions.
Colorado Becomes First US State to Accept Crypto as Tax Payments
Colorado has set the ball rolling as the first U.S. state to offer residents the option of paying taxes in cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase's Base 2024 Mission: Pioneering a Global Onchain Economy
Base's 2024 mission focuses on building a global onchain economy, emphasizing decentralization, developer empowerment, a vibrant app ecosystem, and a robust capital market, all while maintaining close ties with Coinbase and the broader crypto community.
Crypto Trading Platform Voyager Digital Acquires Crypto Payments Company Coinify for $85M
American cryptocurrency trading platform Voyager Digital announced on Monday to complete the acquisition of Coinify-a secure online platform that offers an easy way to buy and sell virtual currencies.
Bahamas’ Sand Dollar CBDC Begins Facial-Recognition Rollout to Authorize Mobile Payments
Millions of Bahamas smartphone users have started using facial recognition technology to authenticate Sand Dollar CBDC payments made through smart devices.
Square Stocks Soar After Bitcoin Purchase, Market Bulls Convinced PayPal Will Make a BTC Move of Its Own
Square’s $50 million-dollar move on Bitcoin has pushed the fintech payment company’s stocks higher, enabling it to outperform PayPal shares.
Ethereum Price Could Surge as OCC Permits US Banks to Run Nodes For Stablecoins
A recent announcement by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has provided a mainstream catalyst that could see the ETH price rally to new all-time highs.
Spanish LaLiga Side Espanyol to Accept Crypto Payments Next Season
The Spanish football club Espanyol is breaking the record as the first LaLiga side that will be accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment for some of its services.
Shopify Adds Another Option for Merchants to Accept Payments in Over 1,000 Cryptocurrencies
Shopify adds more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies for its merchants to accept as payment through a new partnership with CoinPayments.
Can Alipay and WeChat Pay Compete With China’s Fee-Free Digital Yuan?
Will Alipay and WeChat Pay survive the People's Bank Of China's rollout of the digital yuan or DCEP?
Matrixport Partners with Simplex to Allow Buying Crypto Using Credit Card
Matrixport, the Bitmain spin-off and a leading financial service provider for digital assets, today announced a partnership with the leading payment process company Simplex, enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies using their credit cards directly and securely on Matrixport.
Four Payment Operators Join in Suspending their Services in Russia amid Ukraine Crisis
Four payment operators announce to suspend their payment services in Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
US House Committee to Discuss Stablecoins Regulation
The US House Committee on Financial Services will conduct a hearing on April 19 to evaluate stablecoins’ position as a means of payment and whether the payment ecosystem needs supporting legislation. Circle's chief strategy officer and head of global policy, Dante Disparte, will testify at the hearing, which will focus on various stablecoins and their use in the payments landscape. A draft bill providing a framework for stablecoins in the United States was recently published in the House of Representatives document repository.
Bangladesh Records First Blockchain-Based Remittance with Standard Chartered Bank
The partnership between Standard Chartered Bank, bKash of Bangladesh, and Valyou of Malaysia has given Bangladesh its first blockchain-based cross-border remittance service.
General Motors May Follow Tesla in Accepting Bitcoin Payments but Will Not Invest in Bitcoin - GM CEO
General Motors CEO Mary Barra has revealed that the car producer could accept Bitcoin as a payment method, but this would depend on whether there is customer demand.
Elon Musk's X to Launch In-App Payment Services by Mid-2024
Elon Musk's X plans to launch in-app payment services by mid-2024, indicating a shift from his previous crypto interests to fiat currency.
Worldline and Bitcoin Suisse to Revitalize Swiss Point of Sales with Crypto Usage
Worldline, a top European company in the payments and transactional services industry, has struck a deal with Bitcoin Suisse, a notable Swiss crypto financial services firm, to present crypto payment services to Swiss consumers and merchants both in-web shops and in-store.
CBDCs on the Rise: What the Decline of Physical Cash Means for Blockchain and Privacy
The decline in the use of physical cash raises important questions about the loss of personal freedom and privacy. As central banks explore the development of CBDCs, the design and implementation of these digital currencies will play a critical role in balancing convenience and personal liberties.
Western Union Makes Offer to Acquire Cross-Border Payments Firm MoneyGram
Financial giant, Western Union is in discussions to acquire cross-border payments company MoneyGram according to an anonymous source close to the deal.
Libra Association Appoints Former HSBC Executive Ian Jenkins As CRO and CFO Of Payment Systems
Libra Association has announced the appointment of former HSBC executive Ian Jenkins as chief risk officer and chief financial officer of Libra Networks.
French Man Who Paid $500,000 In Bitcoin to Activists Involved in US Capitol Hill Riot Leaves Behind A Suicide Note
A Frenchman, who paid more than $500,000 In Bitcoin to Trump supporters left behind a scathing suicide note justifying his health difficulties.
UK Barclays Bank Restricts Customers from Sending Funds to Binance Exchange
Barclays Bank in the United Kingdom has halted payments to Binance just a few days after the regulator FCA imposed a ban.
European Central Bank Assesses Potential Digital Euro CBDC Issuance
The European Central Bank (ECB) evaluated whether a digital euro would be a beneficial addition to its financial system through an October report.
Crypto for Sex: Blockchain Takes Off in the Adult Entertainment Industry
Cryptocurrencies have become increasingly popular in the adult entertainment industry, as it can guarantee a high level of anonymity to its users, especially for pornography-related businesses.
Visa Crypto Executive: CBDC is the Most Important Trend for Future of Money
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) could be the most important payment trend in development with the most profound effects on our systems of payment and money issuance according to Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of cryptocurrency.
Binance Temporarily Suspends SEPA Euro Bank Deposits, Citing Events Beyond Its Control
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance is facing increasing hurdles in Europe. The financial institution announced to temporarily suspend Euro bank deposits through the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) network.
Upbit Singapore Acquires Preliminary MAS Approval for Major Payment Institution Licence
Upbit Singapore has received an in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, a significant step towards establishing a stronger digital asset business in Singapore. This provisional approval will enable Upbit Singapore to continue offering regulated Digital Payment Token services as per the Payment Services Act 2019 while awaiting the full license.
Women in Payments CEO: Less than 5% of VCs Invest in Women-Led FinTech Companies
With a background in engineering, Kristy Duncan, the CEO of Women in Payments started her career in banking and then into the payments industry. Duncan has then been fascinated with the payments market, and is a “payments geek at heart.” She started Women in Payments in 2012, Looking to add value in a different way, to connect, inspire, and champion women who are working in the payments industry globally.
What Can You Buy With Bitcoin?
Bitcoin's price has surpassed the $16,000 resistance for the first time since 2017, but as the crypto's value increases it begs the question—what can you buy with Bitcoin?
New York State Introduces Bill Allowing State Agencies to Accept Crypto
The crypto sector has attacked New York's "BitLicense" and crypto mining restrictions.
Wharton Accepts Cryptos as Tuition Fees for Blockchain Courses
The Wharton School officially accepts crypto as a payment method for blockchain courses through Coinbase exchange.
Brazilian Lawmaker Advocates for Workers to Receive Payment in Crypto
Brazilian Federal lawmaker, Luizão Goulart has proposed a bill that will see both government and private employees receive their remuneration in digital currencies.
Mango Markets Proposes to Refund Victims after $114m Hack
Mango Markets proposes a refund plan to victims after the hacking incident. The company said one of the repayment strategies is to cut down the difference between the tokens users had before the exploit and the tokens they will receive.
Samsung Collaborates with Israel’s Credorax On Automated Blockchain Platform For Merchants
Samsung SDS has signed an agreement with Israel’s fintech startup Credorax to build payment solutions to serve European merchants and banks.
Stripe Could Resume Bitcoin Payments, after it Suspended the Service for 3 Years
Irish-American financial services and software as a service company, Stripe is likely to resume its Bitcoin payment services in the near future, a move the company halted back in 2018.
Bitpay Now Supports Binance's Stablecoin For Global Payments
Binance and Bitpay have partnered to enable consumers and merchants to access Binance stablecoin.
Ripple: 99% of Respondents Would Consider Using Digital Assets to Process Cross-Border Payments
Ripple’s third annual Blockchain in Payments report identified that blockchain adoption is key to successful growth strategies for financial institutions.
Stablecoins Will See Bigger Adoption than CBDCs, says Circle Founder
Central bank digital currency (CBDC) across global economies appear to be inevitable, as central banks have been issuing their own pilot tests of CBDC.
MoneyGram CEO Praises Ripple XRP for Providing Speed and Efficiency for Cross-Border Payments
MoneyGram CEO Alex Holmes praised Ripple for the innovation it was providing to the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.
Singapore and Cambodia to Explore CBDC to Boost Payments Ecosystem
Singapore and Cambodia are notably exploring the use of CBDCs and digital currencies to improve their payment ecosystem efficiency and bolster the growth of startups aboard.
American Convenience Store Chain Sheetz To Accept Cryptocurrencies as Payment Option
Sheetz announced that the company would start accepting cryptocurrencies for payments this summer.
Ripple to Launch Payment Corridor in Kuwait while Continuing to Seek CBDC Opportunities for XRP
Kuwait Finance House (KFH) becomes the first bank in Kuwait to leverage Ripple’s services to settle cross-border payments.
Ukraine Plans to Pilot CBDC Digital Hryvnia for Salary Payments
Ukraine has announced pilot testing plans for central bank digital currency to pay the national digital currency (CBDC) to its workers' salaries.
Binance Pay and Credencial Payments Join Forces to Enable Real-Time Crypto Payments in Latin America
In a strategic alliance aiming to revolutionize the digital payment landscape, Binance Pay, the digital payment platform of the world's largest crypto exchange, Binance, has partnered with Latin American (LATAM) company Credencial Payments.
Ripple’s Partner Santander Bank Won’t Use XRP for International Payments Due to Low Adoption
Santander Bank, a major European financial presence and one Ripple’s most prestigious partners is reportedly hesitating to add XRP to its international payments network - One Pay FX
Blockchain-Powered Cross-Border B2B Transactions to Surpass $4.4 Trillion by 2024
According to Juniper Research, blockchain-enabled B2B cross-border payments will be more than $4.4 trillion by 2024. This will be a substantial rise from the current $171 billion.
Tether becomes First Stablecoin to be Integrated into Algorand 2.0 Blockchain
Tether, a reputable stablecoin provider, has incorporated its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin USDT into Algorand’s blockchain ecosystem. Tether’s presence on Algorand will facilitate block confirmation in less than four seconds and transaction fees will be a fraction of a cent.
Payments Firm Bolt Scraps $1.5B Proposed Acquisition of Crypto Firm Wyre
Bolt said that it has pulled out of a $1.5 billion deal to buy crypto firm Wyre amid market downturn.
Reserve Bank of Australia Meeting Finds No Strong Case for CBDC or e-AUD
The Reserve Bank of Australia has found no strong public policy-case to issue a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC).
What is Ripple (XRP)?
Founded by RippleLab’s Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb and released in 2012, Ripple is a global payment system that leverages open-source distributed ledger technology.
Allegations of fraud against Compass Mining after company cuts ties with Russian
Compass Mining customers are suing for $2 million for fraud. The firm terminated connections with Russian hosting provider Bit River and didn't restore clients' Bitcoin machines. It cut connections with Bit River over non-applicable US sanctions.
AMC Theatres Accepts Crypto Payments to Purchase Electronic Gift Cards
AMC Theatres, America’s top theater, first launched an electronic gift card that can be purchased with cryptocurrency.
Bybit Launches Debit Card for Crypto Payments
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit is launching a new debit card that will allow users to make payments and withdraw cash using their cryptocurrency holdings. The card will work with Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, USD Coin, and XRP balances on user accounts and will be issued by payments solutions provider Moorwand.
Top Four South Korean Banks Announce Plans to Provide Cryptocurrency Custodial Services
Two of South Korea’s top banks have recently announced that they were looking into providing cryptocurrency custodial services to their clients.
Maduro: Venezuela to Activate Crypto Payment Method ‘Soon’
Taking a page from North Korea, Venezuela is looking to skirt U.S. sanctions by using crypto. According to Bloomberg, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a crypto payment method that they will activate “very soon.”
Thailand's Mystic Valley Music Festival To Receive Payment Via its Minted MYST Tokens
Thailand's Mystic Valley music festival will be accepting payment for tickets from attendees through its own native MYST tokens.
Greyp Teams Up with Blockchain Entities for Automated Payment System
Greyp, a Croatian mobility tech startup and electric bike manufacturer, has partnered with two blockchain firms, the Energy Web Foundation (EWF) and slock.it, to establish an automated payment structure for IoT vehicles.
Response to Facebook Libra? EU Banks Can Deploy Payment System By 2020
All banks in the eurozone could share the instant payment system at the end of 2020, as reported by Reuters on 26 June.
Litecoin Trading Volume Spikes 55% After Pornhub Adds LTC As New Payment Method
The transaction volume of Litecoin spiked by 55% two days after Pornhub added LTC as a new mode of payment.
Cardano Partners With COTI To Enable Merchant Transactions via ADA Payment Gateway
Cardano, an independent body, based in Zug, Switzerland just partnered with COTI, an enterprise-grade fintech platform, to create an ADA payment solution for merchants.
IOTA Creates Payment System Compatible With Any App or Game
A developer has revealed that IOTA, a distributed ledger protocol created by the IOTA Foundation, has been integrated into a payment system, which can be utilized in any app or game. Expressly, it functions seamlessly on all platforms, cush as Xbox one, WebAbb, Windows, Android, Playstation 4, Linux, and iOS, among others.
Uber CEO Reveals the Firm Will Consider Accepting Bitcoin as Payment
Uber CEO has said that the company is open to accept Bitcoin as a means of payment, but won’t purchase the cryptocurrency for its corporate balance sheet.