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September 20, 2018
On the web
China UnionPay eyes major European expansion with UK launch
Payments Cards and Mobile
“China UnionPay, which in 2015 became the world’s biggest payment card issuer, has announced plans to launch UnionPay branded cards in the UK, a first step in a larger European expansion aimed squarely at challenging its Visa and Mastercard in their key markets.”
July 25, 2018
On the web
Coinbase Lets You Convert Your Tokens Into Gift Cards
TechCrunch
“It’s still quite hard to buy physical goods using bitcoins or ethers. Coinbase plans to (partially) solve that issue with a new partnership with WeGift. Coinbase customers in Europe and Australia can now convert their tokens on their Coinbase account into digital gift cards for popular stores. For instance, you’ll be able to buy gift cards for Uber, Tesco, Google Play, Marks and Spencer and more. The feature is now live in the U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands and Australia.”
June 5, 2018
On the wires
Visa Announces Fast-Track Access To Its Network And $100m Investment For European FinTechs
Business Wire
“Starting in July, FinTech start-ups based in Europe can onboard to Visa’s global network in as little as four weeks. The new FinTech fast-track program provides rapid onboarding and reduced fees to help early stage start-ups gain access to the capabilities that lie within Visa’s global network to power their own ideas. Additionally, Visa has launched a $100m European investment program to support the thriving FinTech ecosystem in Europe and grow its investment activity in start-ups.”
June 1, 2018
Top Post
Visa Network Crash Hits Customers And Retailers
Sky News
“Customers are being left stranded at the tills due to a “service disruption” impacting Visa cards. Some businesses are currently unable to process payments made using Visa cards, impacting potentially millions of customers. “Visa is currently experiencing a service disruption. This incident is preventing some Visa transactions in Europe from being processed,” a Visa spokesperson told Sky News.”
March 27, 2018
Top Post
Alipay tempts Europe’s retailers with Chinese tourists’ massive spending power
Quartz
“A survey by Nielsen and Alipay (pdf) suggests that Chinese tourists are bothered by unfamiliar payment methods while abroad. After all, in mainland China today, almost no one pays for a meal, taxi, or new clothes with cash, or even a bank card. It’s all done through the camera lens of a smartphone, through Alipay or the rival payment service from Tencent.”
March 21, 2018
Top Post
Speed, safety, and savings in direct payments
IATA.org
“PSD2 will create opportunities for new forms of payment. IATA is investigating how this could be applied to payments by passengers: both direct to the airline and indirectly via travel agents. The potential prize is huge. Globally airlines absorb more than $8 billion in costs for merchant fees and fraud.”
March 15, 2018
On the web
Revolut adds direct debits in Europe
TechCrunch
“Fintech startup Revolut is slowly making traditional bank accounts irrelevant. The company is adding direct debits in EUR to make it easier to pay for utilities and subscription services. While Revolut is currently applying for a banking license, the company has already been adding everything you need to replace your bank account with a Revolut account…Back in July 2017, Revolut gave you a personal IBAN in EUR and GBP. And now, you can hand your banking details to any subscription service in EUR so that they can debit your Revolut account directly.”
January 26, 2018
On the web
Disruptive innovation: How distributed ledger technologies are about to change society
Open Access Government
“We are launching the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum to expand our expertise on blockchain development, map existing initiatives, to explore use cases and any barriers to them and to monitor trends and developments. It will also gather all parties involved to address the various implications of blockchain: technical aspects, legal and regulatory concerns, governance and interoperability issues.”
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