payments
Crypto Tax Payments Permitted in Bermuda
Bermuda has started accepting tax payments using Circle's stablecoin known as USD Coin (USDC).
PayPal Finally Enables Cryptocurrency Payments and Shopping
PayPal's customers will finally be able to make payments and shop using digital currencies such as BTC, ETH through PayPal’s online wallets.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Europe Embraces Instant Payments: Ripple Insights
Europe is experiencing an accelerated shift towards instant payments, with entities like the EC striving to build a resilient financial infrastructure.
Ripple (XRP): Latin America Shifts Towards Crypto Amidst Cash Ditch
Latin America embraces digital payments, with a notable shift towards cryptocurrency due to post-COVID comfort with online experiences and unsettling inflationary issues.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Project mBridge Achieves MVP Milestone
Project mBridge reaches MVP stage, exploring CBDCs for cross-border payments.
Telegram Introduces Stars for Digital Goods Payments
Telegram launches Stars, enabling payments for digital goods and services through bots and mini apps.
Ripple (XRP) Report Highlights Key Trends in Global Payments for 2023
Ripple's 2023 report reveals key regional payment trends, highlighting blockchain's impact.
Ripple (XRP) Transforms Cross-Border Payments with Blockchain Technology
Ripple leverages XRP to revolutionize cross-border payments, addressing inefficiencies in traditional banking.
Ripple (XRP)'s Study Reveals Key Insights into Payment Reconciliation Challenges
Ripple (XRP)'s research identifies common pain points in payment reconciliation, emphasizing the need for data accuracy, efficient reporting, and better user experience.
Banque de France and HKMA Collaborate to Enhance CBDC Cross-Border Payments
The Banque de France (BDF) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have announced a collaboration to advance CBDC cross-border payment solutions.
Ripple (XRP) Leverages Blockchain to Overcome Payment Reconciliation Challenges
Ripple (XRP) utilizes blockchain technology to address payment reconciliation issues, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in global transactions.
Bitfinex Pay Introduces New Features and Fixes in Latest Update
Bitfinex Pay releases version 0.7, bringing new features, improvements, and fixes to enhance the merchant crypto gateway dashboard.
Alchemy Pay Expands Support to Chiliz (CHZ) Chain and Fan Tokens
Alchemy Pay extends its fiat-crypto gateway support to Chiliz (CHZ) Chain and various Fan Tokens, enhancing fan engagement in sports and entertainment.
Building a Flexible Blockchain Payments Solution: Key Considerations
Learn how to build and launch an efficient blockchain payments solution, covering wallet infrastructure, ecosystem partners, and operational workflows.
Exploring New Revenue Streams with Blockchain Payment Use Cases
Discover how blockchain technology is revolutionizing the payments sector, offering new revenue streams and efficiency gains for businesses.
Gala Games Partners with Coinflow for Enhanced Credit Card Payments
Gala Games announces a partnership with Coinflow to streamline credit card payments, offering users a seamless transaction experience and a limited-time rebate.
Blockchain Poised to Modernize Payment Solutions
Blockchain technology is set to revolutionize the payment industry by offering faster, cheaper, and more efficient solutions for cross-border transactions, according to BinanceResearch.
Binance Partners with Paymonade to Enable Crypto Sales Directly to Credit/Debit Cards
Binance announces a new feature allowing users to sell cryptocurrencies directly to credit or debit cards via Paymonade, enhancing convenience and accessibility for its global user base.
Tezos (XTZ) Now Usable at Visa and Mastercard Terminals Globally
Tezos users can now make purchases at Visa and Mastercard terminals worldwide with Oobit's Tap & Pay feature, enhancing cryptocurrency's role in mainstream finance.
MetaMask Card Introduces Crypto Holiday Challenge on Linea Network
MetaMask and Linea launch a Crypto Holiday Challenge, offering users the chance to have purchases reimbursed by using MetaMask Card. The initiative runs from December 4 to 25 across Europe, UK, and Switzerland.
Bitfinex Pay Unveils Merchant Dashboard Update with Key Enhancements
Bitfinex Pay has released version 0.7.5, introducing enhancements to its Merchant Dashboard, including support for Polygon Ecosystem Tokens and improvements in payment processing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Role of Crypto Payments in Australia's Online Casino Market
Australia's online gambling industry is experiencing a 2% growth, driven by technology, accessibility, and player preferences, with five offshore casinos accepting cryptocurrency payments.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The Integration of Cryptocurrency Payments into Forex Trading: Expanding Horizons
Cryptocurrencies are transforming forex trading, offering fast, secure, and anonymous transactions. However, regulatory challenges pose challenges. Bitcoin and Ethereum are widely used cryptocurrencies.
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".
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why A-List Celebrities Are Still Promoting Unvetted NFT
Danis tweeted a picture and website URL that “literally spells out S.C.A.M.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Coins for Accepting Crypto: How to Receive Payments in BTC and Altcoins?
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Ripple, Stellar, Dash, and Litecoin are popular for businesses due to speed, revenue streams, and early adoption advantages.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New York State Introduces Bill Allowing State Agencies to Accept Crypto
The crypto sector has attacked New York's "BitLicense" and crypto mining restrictions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
OFAC to Begin Sanctioning Companies Facilitating Ransomware Payments
The OFAC may begin sanctioning US nationals and institutions that help facilitate payments in a ransomware attack.
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.
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.
Signature Bank Launches New Digital Payments Technology Platform—Signet
In a press release disclosed with Blockchain.news, New York-based Signature Bank announces that it is planning to launch Signet, its digital payments platform, on the Fireblocks network.
Whatsapp is Close to Launching Digital Payments in Indonesia
Whatsapp, the Facebook-owned messaging platform has been engaging in preliminary talks with multiple Fintech establishments to launch digital payments in Indonesia.
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
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.
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.