“EMVCo has developed a QR Payment Mark that can be used by merchants to indicate that they accept mobile payments which conform to the standards body’s QR Code payment specifications. The goal is to “help promote worldwide acceptance and interoperability,” EMVCo says. The move follows the organization’s introduction last year of a set of QR code specifications that cover both consumer-presented QR codes, where the consumer displays the code on their mobile device and the merchant uses an optical scanner to read it, and merchant-presented QR codes where the merchant displays the code and the consumer then uses their mobile device to scan the merchant’s code.”

“Still, while allowing software-based PIN entry, the standard calls for a hardened chip reader, a so-called “secure card reader for PIN,” as well as special software for PIN entry on a mobile device. “Existing PCI PIN standards require hardware-based security protection of the PIN,” said PCI SSC chief technology officer Troy Leach, in a statement. “We are now building on this foundation with a new standard that allows for an alternative approach to secure PIN entry.””

“The EPC  has facilitated the setting-up of a multi-stakeholder group covering the various sectors involved in the mobile payment ecosystem to develop a new version of the Mobile Contactless SEPA Card Payments Implementation Interoperability Guidelines (MCP IIGs), while leveraging the relevant documentation developed in standardisation and industry bodies.”

“First unveiled two years ago, the W3C’s payments initiative is pushing a set of standardised APIs that allow users to register payment instruments and select the right payment type through the browser, making payments easier to manage, particularly on mobile devices. While there are numerous efforts underway to improve the online payments experience, W3C is using its unique status as the Web’s main international standards organisation, as well as founder Berners-Lee’s clout, to push its browser-centric answer.”

“Work in the API Standardization Industry Group is progressing rapidly,” said George Throckmorton, Managing Director, Network Development & Strategic Initiatives at NACHA, and API Standardization Industry Group lead. “To assess the payments pain points and opportunities of today, identify the possible APIs to address those pain points and opportunities, and then ultimately select the APIs to develop first, in such a short amount of time, is truly commendable. We are excited with the progress to date and look forward to continuing our work to bring API standardization to the U.S. financial services industry.”

“These  APIs form the core deliverables of the Open Banking programme in the UK, a world-leading collaborative effort to develop standardised APIs that will open up the banking industry for the benefit of consumers and businesses alike.”