Industry

Kraken Teams up With Mastercard To Introduce Crypto Debit Cards

CoinDesk

“Kraken is working with Mastercard to enable crypto holders in the U.K. and Europe to spend digital assets at over 150 million merchants worldwide. Kraken will introduce physical and digital debit cards for everyday transactions using crypto and stablecoins. The initiative is part of Kraken Pay, a service that debuted earlier this year for cross-border […]

Industry

Paramount Business Jets Reports Significant Uptick in Cryptocurrency Payments for Private Jet Charters

PR Newswire

“Paramount Business Jets (PBJ), a premier provider of luxury private jet charter services, is pleased to announce a notable increase in clients utilizing cryptocurrency as a preferred payment method. Since integrating cryptocurrency payment options in late 2024, PBJ has observed a steady rise in clients opting for digital currencies. Notably, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have emerged as the most frequently used cryptocurrencies among PBJ’s […]

Global

Back to Cash: Life Without Money in Your Pocket Is Not the Utopia Sweden Hoped

The Guardian

“…In recent years the [Sweden] central bank has been working on its own digital currency, the “e-krona”, as cash declines. The project ended a couple of years ago, and the bank is now focused on monitoring the global development of digital currencies. Last year Norway, which has a popular equivalent to Swish called Vipps MobilePay, […]

Tags: Norway Sweden

Companies

The Future of Cross-Currency Payments: Insights from J.P. Morgan’s Vijay Lulla

The Global Treasurer

“The cross-border payments landscape is evolving fast. AI, blockchain, and digital currencies are driving innovation, but real-time processing and regulatory fragmentation remain challenges. Vijay Lulla, EMEA Head of Cross-Currency Payments at J.P. Morgan Payments, shares his insights on what’s next.”

Tags: JPMorgan Chase

Global

Thailand to Test Crypto Payments for Tourists with Phuket Pilot Project

Fintech Singapore

“This initiative aims to allow foreign visitors to make payments using Bitcoin and other digital currencies”

Tags: Thailand

Global

CBDCs: Where Do We Stand in Europe?

Deutsche Bank

“Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have gained traction globally. In 2023, 94% of central banks have been engaged in some form of research, experimentation, pilot programme or deployment, a survey by the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) published in June 2024 found.”

Tags: Europe

Reports

Central Bank Digital Currencies: Legal and System Design Considerations

BIS

“A group of seven central banks (Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Sveriges Riksbank and the Swiss National Bank) together with the Bank for International Settlements, have been working together to explore selected aspects of central bank […]

Companies

Security, Adaptability and Innovation: 2024 Chicago Payments Symposium

FedPayments Improvement

“This year’s Chicago Payments Symposium focused on three key industry themes – innovation, security and adaptability – based on current and evolving trends in innovation, instant payments, global payments, digital currencies, security and information sharing.”

Tags: Federal Reserve

Companies

Live Trials of Digital Asset Transactions on Swift to Start in 2025

Swift

“Starting in 2025, global financial institutions will have the ability to use Swift’s global platform to conduct pilot transactions for the settlement of digital assets and currencies. These trials will demonstrate how financial institutions can transact interchangeably across both existing and emerging asset and currency types using their current Swift connection.”

Tags: Swift

Industry

FBI Reports 45% Rise in Crypto Fraud, $5.6 Billion Lost, 71% From Investment Scams

Bitcoin News

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has revealed a sharp rise in cryptocurrency fraud complaints, with over 69,000 cases and $5.6 billion in losses. Investment scams accounted for 71% of these losses, highlighting the growing exploitation of digital currencies. The FBI further noted that crypto fraud represents nearly half of total losses.”

Global

TFSF Pulse Enhances Merchant Payments with Crypto-to-Fiat Conversion [Dubai]

EIN Newsdesk

“TFSF Pulse announced its cutting-edge platform designed for the modern merchant that enables businesses to effortlessly accept a variety of cryptocurrency payments, including popular options like Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoins, while converting these digital currencies into fiat currency for direct deposit into their bank accounts.”

Tags: UAE

Companies

Wirex and Visa Expand Partnership to Drive Web3 Payment Adoption

PR News Wire

Wirex and Visa announced a partnership to further the use of digital currencies in the UK and the European Economic Area.

Tags: Visa Wirex

Global

India Digital Currency Transactions Slump After Reaching Initial Central Bank Target, Sources Say

Reuters

“Usage of India’s digital currency, the e-rupee, has slumped to just a tenth of the peak hit in December, four sources said, reflecting the struggles several countries have experienced in trying to generate public support for digital currencies.”

Tags: India

Global

Ethiopia to Establish CBDC Framework Following New Banking Reforms Approval

CoinGeek

“As part of plans to liberalize the country’s financial landscape, Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers is moving toward introducing new banking reforms, with the incoming rules hinting at a commercial rollout of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).”

Tags: Ethiopia

Global

Central Bank Digital Currencies Can Boost Middle East's Financial Inclusion, Payment Efficiency

IMF

Almost two-thirds of countries in the Middle East and Central Asia are exploring adopting a central bank digital currency as a way to promote financial inclusion and improve the efficiency of cross-border payments.

Tags: Asia Middle East