PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
Facebook , Telegram and Signal are looking to launch their own cryptocurrencies that will allow users to send money internationally on their messaging systems. Citing various sources with knowledge on the matter, The New York Time s reported that Facebook is currently working on a coin that users of its WhatsApp could instantly send to friends and family.
Katz,Sapper&Miller
MARCH 1, 2019
When you contemplate the strengths of successful businesses, it is common to focus on a unique product or service offering or a creative marketing strategy that was used to gain market share. You may also think of strong leadership, those with the vision and courage to climb above the rest. However, we often forget to acknowledge the massive importance of organizational structure and design in the ongoing success and viability of a successful business.
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PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
Among the main virtues of this golden era of eCommerce and digital payments is speed. Seemingly instant access to extremely specific product pages. Quick browsing. Fast checkout and transactions — the fewer buttons the better. Have-it-yesterday delivery. Sometimes, though, that ideal of speed can and even should take a back seat to content — the type of content designed to pull in sophisticated or specialized consumers, the type of content that can seem out of place during this time of reduced a
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 24, 2019
Mercury FX , the international currency exchange provider, is reportedly relying on Ripple’s XRP xRapid to open up ten new payment corridors by the middle point of this year. According to a report in OracleTimes , Mercury FX chief executive Alastair Constance said during the Ripple Regionals 2019, a company event held in London, that it will use xRapid for payments from the U.K. to Canada and the Middle East.
Advertiser: Paycor
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PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
The Internet of Things (IoT) is about much more than the actual things, of course. All those “smart” appliances, speakers, TVs, vehicles, thermostats and other devices connect to networks and infrastructure in certain ways, with that back-end work a relatively significant source of anxiety in the world of digital payments and commerce. New funding generally targeting those connections, networks and infrastructure — along with fresh PYMNTS research — provide further evidence of the ongoing growth
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
AlipayHK users will soon be able to use the service in parts of Japan and Southern China, the company said on Tuesday (Feb. 26). The service will be available next month in the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, where AlipayHK customers can use their app in any places that accept Alipay, including theme parks, hotels and retail stores. In the Japanese city of Fukuoka, AlipayHK users can shop at the popular department-store chain Daimaru Tenjin.
Accountant Advocate brings together the best content for small business accounting professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
Subscription commerce has come a long way since book-of-the-month clubs and those record and cassette retailers that tempted teenagers with seeming impossible introductory deals. Yet subscription eCommerce is still a youthful industry, one that, in the words of Emma Clark, chief of staff at Recurly , “is maturing,” with the lessons learned along the way set to influence the next generation of those increasingly popular retail offerings.
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
Supermarket firm Kroger has expanded its ban on accepting Visa credit cards, stating on Friday (March 1) that its Smith’s Food and Drug unit will stop offering that payment option beginning April 3. The move follows 2018 bans on the payment giant’s cards at Kroger Foods stores located in the state of California. Then, as now, the company said its decisions have been tied to the fees Visa levies on transactions.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
Equifax CEO Mark Begor revealed that he has been the victim of identity theft three times in the past 10 years during a privacy hearing on Tuesday (February 26). Begor made the confession after U.S. Representative Katie Porter, a Democrat from California, asked the CEO to share his Social Security Number, birth date, and address at the public hearing during an exchange about security and privacy concerns.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
With the potential for rapid growth and job creation, FinTech firms in Africa have caught the attention of global investors. According to the London Stock Exchange Group’s 2019 “Companies to Inspire Africa” report, which highlights these firms, the FinTech sector has the second highest growth rate representation of technology and telecoms as well as financial services.
Speaker: Victor C. Barnes, CPA, MBA
In the climb from contributor to leader, the rules quietly change. But if you’re aiming for the summit, the air gets thinner, and what got you here won’t be enough to get you to the top. 🗻 What made you successful early in your finance career—technical accuracy, sharp analysis, flawless execution—won’t be what carries you to the next level. The higher you go, the more your effectiveness depends on how you connect, adapt, and communicate.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
The South African economy has struggled in the last decade. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth has failed to surpass 4 percent, with unemployment hovering above 27 percent. These market conditions may not seem ripe for FinTech innovation, but where there are challenges, there are opportunities. The nation’s unique history and current economic challenges may actually present a prime moment for innovators in the small business (SMB) financial services (FinServ) space, particularly as the Fo
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
JPMorgan Chase is testing out a zero-knowledge privacy solution called AZTEC. Developed by a London startup of the same name, AZTEC offers encryption of blockchain data at a lower cost, and with a more efficient process, than previous versions. “It’s being tested by the most important bank in blockchain today. JPMorgan Quorum, actually,” AZTEC CEO Tom Pocock told CoinDesk.
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
Cybersecurity returned to the top of the B2B startup investment list as three companies in the enterprise security realm landed nearly half of the $246 million in B2B venture capital this week. But Software-as-a-Service emerged as a hot spot, too, with the largest investment round of the week going to a B2B eCommerce SaaS provider. ONPEX. Linking financial institutions and corporates with its Banking-as-a-Service platform, ONPEX enables FIs to deploy cloud-based account and payment technology to
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
Open banking may foster talk in Europe and the U.S. centered on collaboration between FinTechs and traditional banks. The movement to bolster such joint efforts and give a leg up to nimble tech upstarts is also gaining traction in other corners of the globe. News came Monday (Feb. 25) that in South Korea, the financial regulator there (known as the Financial Services Commission) is encouraging the creation of an interbank payment network that will allow access to banks and FinTechs.
Speaker: Kim Beynon, CPA, CGMA, PMP
The most overlooked, yet most critical, element of transformation is preparing people for change. Automation and AI aren't just technical upgrades, they’re cultural shifts which can challenge identities. That’s why change management isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation. In finance, where precision and process rule, navigating change can feel especially disruptive.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
Six out of every 10 digital orders are now carried out via mobile app, putting the smartphone at the center of the modern quick-service restaurant (QSR) experience. More consumers are also using mobile apps for the rewards points and perks, as well as for the fast payment experience. However, as mobile grows more essential to the dining experience, consumers are becoming less tolerant to friction in the ordering process.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
Commercial card company Brex is rolling out a new card product designed to meet the specific needs of eCommerce businesses, the firm said in a press release Tuesday (Feb. 26). The card bridges companies in the eCommerce space, including online brands and eRetailers, to 60-day payment terms, interest-free financing and no foreign transaction fees. The solution also offers tailored rewards, including partnerships with providers of eCommerce solutions. “Legacy card companies view businesses a
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
Citigroup , the U.S. banking giant, announced on Tuesday (Feb. 26) the launch of a new service that lets users pay their rent and school expenses each month with one of its credit cards. CNBC reported that the digital payment service, dubbed PayAll, can be accessed through the Citi mobile app. Each transaction will have an associated fee that is payable to the bank, with the average transaction at about $3,500.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
Consumers who rent a vacation home through Airbnb must trust that the keys will be there for them upon arrival, as much as the host must trust that they’ll be paid in a timely manner, and that their property won’t be damaged. As the sharing economy grows globally, fostering that confidence and trust between buyers and sellers has become more crucial for platforms to stay relevant and competitive.
Speaker: Mark Gilham, FCCA, CPP
Finance used to be the function that counted, now it's the one that’s counted on. 📊 For accounting firms, controllers, and finance leaders, expectations are rising faster than headcount. Businesses want agile forecasts, granular analysis, seamless reporting, and smart automation—often without added resources while demanding uncompromised accuracy and compliance.
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
Imagine getting paid to go home. (Really, take a moment and do so. Feels nice, right?) Now, imagine not only getting paid to go home, but doing so in a way that pleases one’s employer, neighbor, girlfriend’s boss or the person on the other end of that daily, mundane trip. It’s not a fantasy, but a reality for a growing number of drivers in the United States.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
There is quote attributed to Archimedes that goes something like this: “Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world.”. In the banking world, amid the continued shift to digital services, the mobile device might just be the fulcrum. In other words, the central point that will help financial services become truly omnichannel. As has been spotlighted in these pages, engagement is of paramount importance in financial services, no matter the setting — at branches, online or even through the Interne
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
As meal kit providers are promising easy-to-cook recipes, some startups are designing their services around specific appliances. Presto Eats , for example, is creating selections with multicookers in mind. “I fell in love with the new wave of kitchen appliances,” Connie Chong, the company’s founder and CEO, told PYMNTS in an interview about the decision to start her company.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 25, 2019
The U.S. cannabidiol (CBD) market continues to grow, with nearly 7 percent of Americans saying they use the substance. According to an analysis by Cowen & Co., the market could reach $16 billion by the year 2025, as per a report by Bloomberg. Cowen questioned 2,500 adults for its January survey. Analyst Vivien Azer said that the 6.9 percent of people who said they used CBD was higher than the 4.2 percent who used an eCigarettes.
Advertiser: Paycor
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PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
HSBC, the U.K. bank, has started beta testing of its PayMe System, a digital payment system for businesses. According to a report in Fintech Futures , HSBC started the beta test with 15 retailers in Hong Kong. They can now accept payments from customers that use HSBC’s eWallet. In the early part of 2017, HSBC announced the new payment app, geared toward millennials in Hong Kong who also wanted social media built in.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 23, 2019
Usually when we talk about unintended consequences here at PYMNTS, we are talking about something that has gone terribly wrong, or at least failed to perform as well as desired because of some unforeseen side effect. The goal might be noble – but pursuing a noble goal the wrong way can quickly have byproducts that make the cure worse than the disease.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
Banks have historically developed their own solutions for the marketplace, using sophisticated information technology (IT) and development resources. “If they wanted something for the marketplace, they would create it” and would design, develop and support those solutions for their unique needs, DadeSystems President and CEO Bill Zayas told PYMNTS in an interview.
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
In an effort to transition to an eCommerce sales platform, Tesla announced its move to an online-only sales model. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk, noted that the move would lower costs and enable the Model 3 to arrive on the market, CNET reported. Tesla, in fact, forecasts that the move could let the company lower vehicle prices by about 6 percent. And the company said in the post that the move would let it “achieve the $35,000 Model 3 price point earlier than we expected.”.
Speaker: Cheryl J. Muldrew-McMurtry
Distributed finance teams are rewriting how the back-office runs, and attackers are taking notes. Disconnected workflows, process blind spots, and rising cyber threats are more than just growing pains—they’re liabilities. The challenge isn’t just going remote. It’s building resilient systems that protect accuracy, control, and speed across every transaction and touchpoint.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
The European Union’s (EU’s) battle against U.S. card company interchange fees reached new levels earlier this year when the European Commission (EC) issued a $648.3 million fine against Mastercard for its swipe fees, which regulators said drove up prices for retailers and consumers, and hampered competition. It marked the latest chapter in a long-standing saga, as the European Commission and U.K.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, said the bank’s new cryptocurrency, JPM Coin, could one day be used by consumers, according to CNBC. “JPMorgan Coin could be internal, could be commercial, it could one day be consumer,” Dimon said during a question-and-answer session at the bank’s annual investor day. The bank became the first to create its own cryptocurrency earlier this month.
PYMNTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
To provide retailers with an automated option for last-mile deliveries, shipping carriers are entering the world of robotics technology. FedEx , for instance, recently unveiled its FedEx SameDay Bot concept, which the carrier said is in development with DEKA Development & Research Corp. along with DEKA Founder Dean Kamen (of Segway fame). The idea behind the bot is to let merchants accept customer orders and deliver them to customers on the very same day.
PYMNTS
MARCH 1, 2019
Order-to-cash Software-as-a-Service company HighRadius is addressing organizations’ collections struggles with a new data exchange solution. The company said in a press release on Thursday (Feb. 28) that it is rolling out the Collection Agency Data Exchange (CADE) tool, a way for accounts receivable teams to streamline data sharing with collection agencies.
Speaker: Frank Taliano
Documents are the backbone of enterprise operations, but they are also a common source of inefficiency. From buried insights to manual handoffs, document-based workflows can quietly stall decision-making and drain resources. For large, complex organizations, legacy systems and siloed processes create friction that AI is uniquely positioned to resolve.
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