Digital Currency Update
Plaid announced support for crypto exchanges and investment platforms. Users will be able to link crypto account information with platforms used for financial planning, tax advisory and other services. The company currently connects to Binance.US, Gemini, Robinhood and SoFi. Connections to additional platforms, including Blockchain.com and BitGo, are planned for later this year.
Spectra Technologies Tap-POS
Spectra Technologies, a Hong Kong-based payment terminal manufacturer, has launched a low-cost Android-based model called the Tap-POS. The device, which uses phone-type hardware, is primarily intended for contactless payments. It ships without magstripe or contactless chip readers.
Mastercard’s CipherTrace Technology
Blockchain analytics and cryptocurrency intelligence is the expertise of CipherTrace, which was acquired by Mastercard last year. CipherTrace had more than 50 customers worldwide among financial institutions, digital asset exchanges and governments when Mastercard bought the company.
Digital Currency Update
Crypto.com, a digital currency exchange, will accept cryptocurrency purchases using Apple Pay from within the company’s app.
Newland SmartPOS Device
The sixth largest manufacturer of POS terminals worldwide has introduced a handheld SmartPOS device intended for retail and hospitality merchants. The Newland N950 uses a 6-inch TFT touchscreen for data entry and runs on Android 10. Its readers accept contact and contactless chip as well as magstripe cards.
Commercial Bank Credit Cards in Canada
Visa and Mastercard issuers in Canada of commercial credit card products are shown here ranked by purchase volume in 2021. The Visa and Mastercard table includes all products.
Apple Pay Later
American users of the Apple Pay wallet will be offered a buy now, pay later (BNPL) option from Apple for purchases made in-store and online of less than $1,000 at any merchant. Users can divide the purchase amount into four equal payments, which must be tied to a debit card.
Digital Currency Update
Mastercard is working with marketplaces and cryptocurrency service providers MoonPay, Immutable X, Candy Digital, The Sandbox, Mintable, Spring and Nifty Gateway to allow card payments for NFTs and Web 3.0 commerce.
Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program
Recognizing the opportunity to further reduce friction in the payment process as well as to provide consumers with another method of payment, Mastercard has created the Biometric Checkout Program.
Gr4vy Payment Orchestration Platform
Cloud-native payment platform Gr4vy provides ecommerce sellers with access to global and domestic-only card brands, BNPL providers and alternative payment methods through a single integration. The company, which launched a year ago, built its technology to operate without the need for merchants to use in-house IT staff for installation or ongoing operations.