Alternative Payments

Bitcoin News & Updates

Bitcoin was in the news again this past week: Germany-based start-up 9flats is now accepting Bitcoin payments for instant bookings, which account for 50 percent of 9flats bookings. Bitcoin prices on 9flats are calculated and converted in EUR via third-party provider BitPay.com, Bitcoin has been on a roller coast valuation of late, with the current market price of around USD 35 per Bitcoin. Recent cyberattacks on Mt. Gox, the largest of the Bitcoin Exchanges saw the price drop overnight from $147 to around $115. More recent Bitcoin News: Mt. Gox, a Bitcoin exchange, said it had been hit with a massive cyberattack. On Wednesday, Bitcoins rose to $147, before pulling back overnight [...]

PayPal Updates

PayPal Here Takes On Square Register With New iPad Payments App – TechCrunch http://news.google.com TechCrunchPayPal Here Takes On Square Register With New iPad Payments AppTechCrunchAfter debuting its in-store mobile payments technology PayPal Here in the U.K. two weeks ago, the payments giant is announcing another set of news around the product: … Ahead Of U.S. Rival PayPal Here, Intuit Pay Rolls Out Its Mobile Commerce … – TechCrunch http://news.google.com Ahead Of U.S. Rival PayPal Here, Intuit Pay Rolls Out Its Mobile Commerce …TechCrunchThe mobile payment market in Europe continues to get more crowded, with the latest wave of entrants coming from across the pond to join a number of homegrown [...]

By March 13, 2013 Read More →

Telecom Italia and Intesa Sanpaolo begin Milan mobile NFC pilot

Telecom Italia has begun a contactless mobile payments trial in Milan, enabling more than 1000 people to use their mobile phones to pay for bus, tram, metro and train tickets as part of the trial. Additional, the participant can also use their credit card registered on the phone’s SIM to make contactless purchases at more thana thousand retail outlets in Milan. The new platform will allow users to pay for their purchases in shops, public transport, and access information on posters by simply waving their NFC-enabled handsets. The pilot was recently launched at the GSMA summit in Milan, by Telecom Italia. Oscar Cicchetti, head, strategy, Telecom Italia, says: “Telecom Italia’s [...]

By November 2, 2012 0 Comments Read More →

PayPal Cutting Jobs

PayPal announced today that as much as 3 percent of its workforce may be laid off shortly according to the plans of new President David Marcus. The reductions are expected to affect approximately 325 in-house staff and another 120 outside contractors. PayPal currently employs about 13,000 people. The job cuts will be PayPal’s first major reductions since the financial crisis in 2008. Competition has heated up in recent months in the payments sector with both merchants and consumers adopting new payment products such as Dwolla, Square and Stripe. The changes at PayPal are focused on streamlining the product development and launch cycle and will see 9 different company units consolidated into [...]

Innovations

UseMyServices Plans Big Splash for The New Year

Toronto-based payment technology company, UseMyServices.com, announced plans today to launch an exciting new suite of payment options in the coming weeks, along with a major expansion to their existing bank network. The company currently specializes in ‘real time’ bank payments, a unique service that lets customers in 30 countries pay for their web purchases using their own online bank services. The service is much safer for the customer than traditional credit card or echeck services because the customer never enters any sensitive financial information on the merchant’s website. Conversely, the service is also safer for the merchant because the funds are debited from the shopper’s account in real time allowing [...]

Yodlee Interactive Unit Doubles Business Growth

Yodlee Interactive, a business unit of Yodlee, today announced it has doubled its annual growth in its market leading application programming interface (API) business. Yodlee Interactive currently serves more than 300 customers and partners across more than 25 vertical markets. The Yodlee API it helps streamline the innovation and delivery of new financial services and solutions. Yodlee FastLink, is a new feature that helps customers and partners speeds up the onboarding process for  Yodlee Interactive powered services. “Yodlee has been a great partner in helping us launch the first true integration of money, credit and identity in to a fantastic and simple service for consumers to manage their financial lives,” [...]

Sberbank sets up $100 million fintech start-up fund

Sberbank of Russia has announced that they are setting up a $100 million venture fund to invest in promising fintech start-up companies. The plan is to increase the fund to a possible $700 million over three years. Details of the fund were disclosed by the bank’s head of innovation, Mircea Mihaescu, in an interview with a local Russian investment magazine. This follows the recent launch of an R&D centre and ‘Technology Innovation Council’ approximately 6 months ago, with the goal of exploring the use of new technology for banks According to Mihaescu, the R&D unit is currently involved in 20 projects across the fields of big data, cloud computing, mobile payments and personalised [...]

By October 30, 2012 0 Comments Read More →

Marketing QR Codes

Although I have not downloaded the app or used them, I’ve been getting more curious about QR codes and how we can use them in our marketing. I went to expert Steven Levine, President of Mission Mobile, and we had a discussion about QR codes and some of his recommendations for utilizing them to best advantage. To be perfectly honest, I just recently joined the smartphone users of the world, so I’m a little behind in most things mobile, but I’m working hard to catch up and spreading the word, and these QR codes are attracting a lot of marketing attention. Will they have a long life? So Steven started [...]

Mobile Payment News

Mobile Payment Added By PayToo

Mobile wallet platform Paytoo has added a new mobile bill payment service to their mobile wallet platform, PayToo Bill Payments. The new service will let consumers pay US billers, including utility bills, mortgage or car payments, credit cards and cable bills via the PayToo account even while traveling abroad or don’t have a US based bank account. The Paytoo mobile wallet also allows mobile phone users living in the US and Mexico to make international calls, top-up their pre-paid mobile phone and pay bills from their mobile devices. The Paytoo mobile wallet also offers users a Paytoo prepaid bank debit card which can be used at stores or on the internet and to [...]

PrivatBank Gets Ready For Windows Phone 8

Ukrainian PrivatBank has released Privat24 for devices operating on Windows Phone 8. The new application offers a complete mobile banking suite as well as a unique technology of contactless payments using a QR-code. “Now the most convenient and multifunctional mobile Bank can use the smartphone owner to all the most popular mobile platforms,” said Aleksander Vityaz, Deputy Chairman of the Board of PrivatBank. “Our application provides unique benefits for users of the new OS, because only in this application, you can pay bills or withdraw cash from ATMs using a QR-code. Such service in mobile applications is implemented for the first time in the world and in fact connects the [...]

Digital River World Payments to Speak at the Social Mobile Payments Conference – PYMNTS.com

Digital River, Inc. has announced that its Digital River® World Payments™ solution will be featured at the upcoming Social Mobile Payments Conference, Nov. 6-8, 2012, at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Miami, Fla. Souheil Badran, SVP and General Manager of Digital River World Payments, will speak on current mobile payment trends during his presentation Thursday, Nov. 8, at 1:00 p.m. EST, entitled “The Evolution of Mobile Payments.” Mr. Badran will address consumer mobile usage trends, including the effect of consumer behavior on the payment industry, as well as key issues when launching mobile commerce channels. “It is important that online merchants and payment providers reduce the friction around the consumer’s mobile payment experience – the less complex mobile payments become, the faster consumers [...]

EWeek.com Reports Google Wallet Launch Gaining Ground

 EWeek.com reports that Google’s Wallet is gaining ground in the app wars, thanks to new support from AmEX, Discover, and Visa. Although Google launched Wallet Q3 of 2011, take up has been slow, but these recent advances seem to be boosting it’s popularity. That day has finally arrived, thanks to a technical change in the way Google stores card information. According to a quote from EWeek.com,”The Google Wallet app now stores your payment cards on highly secure Google servers, instead of in the secure storage area on your phone,” the company explained in an Aug. 1 post on the Google Commerce Blog. “A wallet ID (virtual card number) is stored in the [...]

ECommerce News

PayPal Acquires Iron Pearl

EBay’s processing unit, PayPal, has acquired start-up Iron Pearl, a company that focuses on finding new ways to not only drive customer growth and retention – but with finding ways to increase revenue generated by the existing customer base. Iron Pearl co-founder Stan Chudnovsky will be taking on the title of vice president of growth at PayPal, heading a new team charged with increasing the use PayPal’s services by existing customers. San Jose based EBay, is expecting predicting PayPal’s volume to double over the next 36 months thanks in large part to increased shopping on mobile devices. “There are only a very few people who have actually mastered the art [...]

Thiel Increases Investment in Xero

A PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel-backed venture capital firm has partnered with another investor to put US$49 million into Xero, a New Zealand-founded start-up. This brings the investment total raised now to US$67 million. Valar Ventures is a global venture capital firm backed by Thiel who, in addition to co-founding PayPal, has invested in the likes of Facebook and Australian start-up ScriptRock. Valar was one of several investors that invested $15 million in Xero in February 2011. New Zealand Venture Investment Fund also partnered with Thiel to set up a $40 million venture capital fund. According to Xero co-founder Rod Drury, the latest round raised an additional US$49 million (NZ$60 million) [...]

Are You Engaged in Domain Name Infringement?

I was recently talking to Dan Pepper of the Pepper Law Group about trademark and copyright, and we drifted to a topic under popular discussion recently: When is the use of someone else’s trademark in a domain name considered infringement? Domain names often contain terms which are trademarked by another party, but that doesn’t mean the URL owner is necessarily infringing on the trademark owner; there are both legitimate and non-legitimate situations, and some are permissible. I’ve noticed more articles on this subject on the ‘net, and as branding and social marketing concerns increase in this time of intense competition, we will likely see more. Dan explained to me that [...]

Marketing QR Codes

Although I have not downloaded the app or used them, I’ve been getting more curious about QR codes and how we can use them in our marketing. I went to expert Steven Levine, President of Mission Mobile, and we had a discussion about QR codes and some of his recommendations for utilizing them to best advantage. To be perfectly honest, I just recently joined the smartphone users of the world, so I’m a little behind in most things mobile, but I’m working hard to catch up and spreading the word, and these QR codes are attracting a lot of marketing attention. Will they have a long life? So Steven started [...]

Social Media Updates

Gulf Bay Consulting Announces Dates, Venue for Social Mobile Payments: Americas

Gulf Bay Consulting, organizers of Social Mobile Payments Conference, the mobile industry’s most innovative event, today outlined new developments for the upcoming Social Mobile Payments: Americas event, which will be held 6-8 November 2012 at the Marriott Biscayne Bay in beautiful Miami, Florida. Gulf Bay Consulting introduced new elements for Social Mobile Payments: Americas and invites participation from companies interested in exhibiting, sponsoring and supporting the event. The company also provided further updates on the conference program for Social Mobile Payments: Americas, including newly confirmed media sponsors. “Social Mobile Payments: Americas will spotlight companies who are taking a leading role in the convergence of social and payments spanning the entire [...]

Marketing QR Codes

Although I have not downloaded the app or used them, I’ve been getting more curious about QR codes and how we can use them in our marketing. I went to expert Steven Levine, President of Mission Mobile, and we had a discussion about QR codes and some of his recommendations for utilizing them to best advantage. To be perfectly honest, I just recently joined the smartphone users of the world, so I’m a little behind in most things mobile, but I’m working hard to catch up and spreading the word, and these QR codes are attracting a lot of marketing attention. Will they have a long life? So Steven started [...]

Is Social Ad Marketing Working for YOU?

Okay, the reviews are coming in – and they are certainly mixed! Are you finding successful ROI from your Google, Facebook and Twitter ad campaigns? Is it really worth the investment, or is social ad network marketing proving a disappointment for you? Many marketers feel that when you build up an official presence in one arena and find success there, that you should also achieve successful results in advertising within that same market. Well, that is unfortunately not always the case. Google search engine listings and Google AdWords advertising has given many marketers proof of that theory in-action, while not nearly as many have seen joint success between Facebook fan [...]

By May 22, 2012 Read More →

Marketers and the Mobile Generation Gaps

Which mobile device do you prefer, and what does that say about you and your generation? A study conducted by Affinity Research revealed a generational gap dividing users based upon their mobile device preference – which was the most comfortable for them? Despite the differences, eMarketer said that over 91 million consumers in the US are now accessing the Internet via their mobile device at least once a month. This is a big jump from the end of 2010 figure – 77.8 million US-based mobile Internet users. This is important to know for your retail sales marketing, but also very important in targeting these generational groups through all of your [...]

Press Releases

PAI’s Donna Embry Honored By Industry

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 10, 2013 – Payment Alliance International (PAI), a leader in electronic payment processing solutions, is pleased to announce today that Donna Embry, senior vice president of strategic development, was named as one of the Most Influential Women in Payments by PaymentsSource. The editors of PaymentsSource selected 20 seasoned and accomplished female payments professionals for this inaugural award based on their significant achievements, exceptional leadership and promotion of innovation in the payments industry. Embry’s career in the payments industry spans more than 40 years. She has held executive product, marketing and operations positions with major industry players such as Citizens Fidelity Bank (now PNC Bank) and Vital Processing [...]

Data Compliance Firm CSR Wins 2012 HP-IAPP Privacy Innovation Award

CSR Breach Reporting ToolKit Recognized in Technology Category JENSEN BEACH, Fla., October 15, 2012 – CSR, the leading provider of data compliance solutions and expert services that help businesses turn compliance into revenue, has won the HP-IAPP 2012 Privacy Innovation Award. Patent-pending CSR Breach Reporting ToolKit™, a service that expedites complex reporting to authorities in the event of data loss, was recognized in the technology category at the IAPP Privacy Dinner held last week in San Jose, Calif. in conjunction with the IAPP Privacy Academy 2012. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is the world’s largest organization of privacy professionals. Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard (HP), the IAPP presents annual awards [...]

Failsafe Payments Adds SafetyPay to CertoConnect

Nicosia, Cyprus, Nov 28, 2011 – Failsafe Payments has announced that SafetyPay, a service that enables shoppers to pay for online purchases directly via their own bank account and in local currency, is now fully integrated with Failsafe Payments alternative payments service, CertoConnect. CertoConnect is designed for merchants to extend the possibilities to easily accept alternative payments online using established local and international payment systems. CertoConnect is integrated with major local and international alternative payment brands and payment gateways. More info on http://www.certoconnect.com SafetyPay™, a secure payment provider serving online shoppers, merchants and banks worldwide, will allow CertoConnect merchants to enable and activate SafetyPay as an online payment option for [...]

New Free PCI DSS Compliance Tool From Acuity

November 22nd 2011 – A free management application that allows businesses to measure, monitor and report on their compliance to PCI-DSS v2.0 payment card data security standards, has been launched by governance, risk and compliance (GRC) specialist Acuity. Available for download from the Acuity website www.acuityrm.com, the compliance software monitors progress against the six milestones in the PCI-DSS Prioritized Approach and will identify, assess, manage and report on risks to cardholder data. It will also track residual risk status in relation to performance of PCI controls and key metrics and provide visibility of information for auditors. The Acuity PCI DSS tool reduces the time it takes to gather, collate and [...]

By November 23, 2011 0 Comments Read More →

Other News....

OB10 and Anachron establish localised interoperations using EESPA’s Model Interoperability Agreement

e-Invoicing leaders sign interoperability partnership London/Amsterdam, 20 March 2013 – OB10 (www.OB10.com), the global e-Invoicing network, and Anachron, the leading e-Biller in Europe, are the first organisations to use the Model Interoperability Agreement, recently launched by the European e-Invoicing Service Providers’ Association (EESPA), as the basis of a contract to interoperate within the Benelux region. Commenting on the value of EESPA’s agreement, Gary Benson, VP Corporate Development, said, “As a neutral and comprehensive starting point, the Model Interoperability Agreement makes the contracting process quick and straightforward. In particular, it supports a number of legal frameworks, which are critical to processing fully compliant electronic invoices for our customers.” Frank Hoekstra, CEO [...]

EzeClick Launched by American Express

American Express’s new payment solution, ezeClick, will now allow AmEx cardmembers to perform an internet transaction even if they don’t have their card handy! Card members simply complete a one-time registration process that will link their card to an unique user ID that the member creates. This user ID is then used  with a one-time password  to complete a transaction online. The user ID can be set for different AmEx products or one can have multiple user IDs for different products.The user ID can be used at all merchants on the network This new system also allows AmEx cardholders to pre-fill certain information such as card number, expiry, 4 digit [...]

By February 28, 2013 0 Comments Read More →

WePay Launches iOS Mobile App For Small Business

WePay today announced the launch of a new free mobile app targeted at small businesses that need to accept credit cards for payments. The new app features two key things needed by it’s target market: quick and easy invoicing and charging credit cards on the go. Both services are available for just 2.9% + .30¢ per transaction. The app was developed to target the needs of the 14.2 small business service providers in the U.S. businesses. A $1.1 trillion market includes independent contractors, designers, accountants, marketing professionals, and even dog walkers, babysitters and masseuses, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “We felt that the needs of small business [...]

By February 28, 2013 0 Comments Read More →
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