Payments Players Move on Blockchain Tech in Industry Shake-Up
Amid a steady stream of positive news, incumbent payment companies are quickly launching products and services incorporating blockchain technology. To date, payments firms openly offering blockchain services include financial technology provider D+H, online payments startup Dwolla and cross-border payments specialist Earthport, though the latest to launch an offering is PayCommerce, a decade-old software-as-a-service payments and remittance platform that connects network members across the globe. Each has so far taken a different approach to leveraging its market presence and products in a....
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There’s a new Android application called Shake that enables users to tap-and-pay for items with Bitcoin and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. On March 19th Shakepay.co introduced its service by saying “Bonjour” to the world. Shake will offer some unique features for cryptocurrency users and their smartphones. The platform will make it possible....
The entry of Paypal into the cryptocurrency industry continues to expose the divide between traditional crypto space players who are less enthusiastic and non-crypto players who endorse the move. Non-crypto players like the analysts at Morgan Stanely are agreement with the notion that the payments giant’s move will lead to greater adoption cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, the analysts believe such a move will not lead an immediate improvement of the company’s bottom line. In a note, the analysts explain that the move “should expand crypto acceptance online, which to date....
Shake, the service that creates VISA debit cards you can load with bitcoin, is opening beta testing to the public. A bunch of new features is also on the way to complement the service. Tap-and-Pay, Plastic Cards, All With Bitcoin. Shake is launching the open beta after a successful six-month alpha testing period. Famously, the test saw BitGo engineer Mason Borda order a Tesla Model 3 using a virtual Shake card for the deposit. The Canadian company currently offers apps for Android and iOS. Users with NFC-enabled phones can also use them to make tap-and-pay payments at store terminals.....
A MasterCard executive has said that while the firm is very, very interested in blockchain technology, it will take a cautious approach to its experimentation with the tech while it believes it is still developing. Speaking to Business Insider at the World Economic Forum in Davos, MasterCard CIO Garry Lyons outlined the steps the major global credit card network has so far taken to explore the industry. Lyons said: Like the rest of the world, we’re interested in seeing where blockchain technology goes. The comments come at a time when thought leaders in the traditional payments and finance....