On The Web

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Tech

Nine Out of 10 UK Card Payments in 2020 Were Contactless

January 22 2021

• in
• Contactless

“Contactless payments accounted 88.6% of total card payments in 2020 as restrictions on contact-based payments drove people to the payment method, according to data from Barclaycard. Despite many shops closing for long periods during various lockdowns to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the total value of contactless payments increased by 7% in 2020 compared to […]

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Tech

Hudson Taking Flight With Amazon Cashierless Store Platform

January 13 2021

• in
• Cashierless

“A second travel retailer is bringing the Amazon “Just Walk Out” technology solution to airport stores. Hudson, a leading travel retailer with more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs and tourist destinations across North America, has entered into an agreement to use Amazon’s Just Walk Out platform in select travel convenience stores.”

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Deals

WSJ News Exclusive | NCR in Talks to Buy Cardtronics

January 11 2021

• in
• ATM

“NCR Corp. is in talks to buy Cardtronics PLC , according to people familiar with the matter, seeking to snatch it away from a pair of investment firms including private-equity giant Apollo Global Management Inc . that earlier agreed to buy the ATM operator. Cardtronics said Thursday it had received an unsolicited bid worth $39 […]

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Tech

In 2020, QR Codes Finally Became Cool

January 4 2021

• in
• QR codes

“The quick response (QR) code has become one of the biggest symbols of the pandemic.  According to the latest Juniper Research report, some 5.3 billion QR code coupons will be redeemed by smartphones by 2022. This figure has been greatly boosted by the steep rise in QR code usage. And according to Statista, by the […]

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Tech

Limit on contactless payments could be raised from £45 to £100 in one of Britain’s first steps away from EU rules

January 4 2021

• in
• Contactless

“The upper limit on contactless payments could be increased from £45 to £100 in one of Britain’s first rule changes after leaving the EU.  Not only would it mean more convenience for shoppers the move would also signify a step away from the European Commission’s rules and could help to reduce the spread of covid-19 […]

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Tech

ABI Forecasts 2.5m Biometric Payment Cards in 2021 • NFCW

December 21 2020

• in
• Card technology

“As many as 2.5m biometric payment cards will be issued during 2021, according to an ABI Research forecast , with more than 20 biometric payment card pilots already underway across the globe.”

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Deals

Indonesia’s Gojek purchases 22% stake in Indonesian digital bank Bank Jago

December 18 2020

• in
• Digital banking
• Indonesia

“Indonesian ride-hailing, food delivery and payments firm Gojek said on Friday in a statement it had purchased a 22% stake in Indonesian digital bank Bank Jago. The firm, which was valued at $10 billion in its last funding round, said the strategic investment will enable access to digital banking services through Gojek’s platform.”

On The Wires

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Tech

Fiserv Expands Surcharge-free MoneyPass ATM Network to Capital One Customers

January 11 2021

• in
• ATM

“Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions, announced today a new agreement with Capital One that will offer customers secure, convenient, surcharge-free access to their funds at thousands of ATMs across the nation. The agreement will add more than 1,500 Capital One ATMs at Capital One branches, […]

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Tech

BlockApps and Schweitzer Laboratories partner to build campaign finance compliance system, 4US, restoring trust and confidence in the political financing process

December 17 2020

• in
• Blockchain
• Smart contracts

“Campaign finance is central to the functioning of America’s democratic system, yet it is wrought with public mistrust. A 2019 Gallup study found that only 20% of Americans are satisfied with the nation’s campaign finance system. While much focus has been put on proposed adjustments to the regulatory regime through policy initiatives, little attention has […]

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Deals

Paxos Raises $142 Million in Series C Funding

December 17 2020

• in
• Blockchain

“Paxos, the first regulated blockchain infrastructure platform, today announced it has closed a $142 million Series C round of funding. Declaration Partners , the investment firm backed by the family office of David M. Rubenstein, led the round, which includes investments from Mithril Capital , PayPal Ventures , RIT Capital Partners plc , Ken Moelis, […]