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. 

Middle East and Africa’s Top Merchant Acquirers — 2021

The 36 largest merchant acquirers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region based on the number of Visa and Mastercard purchase transactions each handled in 2021 are ranked in the table on page 6. Collectively, those acquirers, which represented 16 countries, processed $221.55 billion in purchase volume from 5.09 billion Visa and Mastercard transactions.

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.

MFS Africa Buys US-Based Prepaid Card Platform

Global Technology Partners (GTP), a Visa and Mastercard prepaid card account processor that has operated exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa since 2006, has been purchased by MFS Africa for $34 million in cash and stock.

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.