Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals

Givingli Inc., an app provider for virtual greeting cards and gifts, will use the Blackhawk Network platform to allow app users to send digital gift cards.Gateway NMI outlined its 2021 ambitions, including launching a tap-on-phone solution that will build on its recent partnership with Mastercard Inc.’s Cloud Tap on Phone.Gamber-Johnson LLC, a maker of mounting …

As consumers’ comfort level with online sports betting grows, a quick and frictionless payout of winnings will play a key role in their choice of an online gaming vendor, says a study released Thursday by payment-platform provider Paysafe Group. Of the more than 2,000 online-sports bettors surveyed by Paysafe across …

The holiday shopping season may be over, but the holiday returns are coming in at full force. Data from PSCU, a credit union service organization, showcases the impact the rise in e-commerce spending is having on returns. Return purchases using debit cards were up 76.2% for the week ending Jan. …

Vanco Payment Solutions Inc., a payments provider specializing in the educational and faith-based sectors, said it acquired SmartcareOS LLC, a software provider for child-care centers. Terms were not announced.Entrust Corp., a provider of technology for identity, payments, and data protection, announced it acquired HyTrust Inc., a vendor of data-encryption, key …

CardFlight Inc., a provider of payment hardware and software-as-a-service payment applications, announced Wednesday a major product line expansion into the burgeoning market for countertop point-of-sale devices that can function as cash-register replacements. The new line of terminals, on which merchants can run CardFlight’s SwipeSimple software, includes a trio of models …

Standards are the prerogative of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for most industries around the world. According to ISO, “ISO standards are internationally agreed by experts” and “should be thought of as a formula that describes the best way of doing something.”  Unfortunately, the roles of ISO and its …

Visa Inc. has dropped its year-old, $5.3-billion bid for the data network Plaid Inc. in the wake of an antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The DoJ feared Visa could use Plaid’s links to financial institutions to stifle competition in the debit market, a contention Visa denied.The big drugstore chain Walgreen …

Unlike many fintech startups, Walmart’s Inc.’s new financial company is expected to be a formidable player right out of the gate. The retail giant unveiled plans late Monday to partner with Ribbit Capital to create a fintech that will provide what Walmart describes as “modern, innovative, and affordable financial solutions.” …

Mobile point-of-sale specialist CardFree Inc. announced Torchy’s Tacos, with 83 locations across seven states, has adopted its contactless ordering and services technology. Also, restaurant commerce provider GoTab Inc. debuted a contactless ordering starter kit for hospitality operators. San Francisco-based CardFree says the Austin, Texas-based Torchy’s Tacos started with online ordering and …

Wells River Bank has agreed to join the Real Time Payments network operated by The Clearing House Payments Co. LLC. The bank will connect to the network through the Shazam EFT network’s Shazam Pay faster-payments gateway.Payments provider Lightspeed POS Inc. launched its Lightspeed Supplier Network, a platform aimed at North American merchants to …

Mastercard Inc. will test contactless payment acceptance using common Android smart phones and tablets in the United States. The technology, relying on software developed by Mastercard Labs, enables these off-the-shelf devices to accept contactless payments with no special hardware.  Announced Monday, the service, called Tap on Phone, intends to capitalize …

With consumers and businesses flocking to online commerce, companies of all sizes are reinforcing their technology for accepting transactions and rating them for risk. The latest example is the giant credit-reporting company Equifax Inc., which on Friday said it is paying $640 million to buy Kount Inc., a 14-year-old Boise, …

NCR Corp. confirmed it is the party that has made a $39-per-share cash offer to acquire international ATM network operator Cardtronics plc. The last-minute bid trumps a previous, $35-per-share offer from investment firms Hudson Executive Capital and Apollo Global Management.Citizens Financial Group Inc. said it has expanded the reach of its point-of-sale …

One of the fastest-growing and cutting-edge financial technology companies in the United States, MiCamp Solutions recently introduced its newest offering, which includes the game-changing Mi-Payment Choice and a unique gateway. Founded in 2007, and recently named to the Inc. 5000 for the third year in a row (#1,328), MiCamp Solutions …

Nearly three weeks after reaching a definitive agreement with Hudson Executive Capital and Apollo Global Management to be acquired for $35 per share, ATM network operator Cardtronics plc has received an unsolicited offer from an unnamed buyer for $39 per share. The offer was disclosed by Cardtronics in a proxy …

One week into the new year, Bitcoin’s dizzying rise is prompting questions about what’s fueling it and how long it can go on before yet another crash. One factor, as it turns out, could be greater clarity concerning Bitcoin’s potential to enter the mainstream of retail payments after a dozen …

Social Finance Inc. said it will use the special purpose acquisition tool to become a publicly traded company. Known as SoFi, the company will merge with Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. V, a SPAC, to enter the public market. SoFi’s equity value is pegged at $8.65 billion in the deal. SoFi, which …

Processor Shift4 Payments Inc. on Thursday expanded its presence in the gambling industry to include online gambling and fantasy leagues through a partnership with Sightline Payments, a provider of cashless gaming and betting solutions. The partnership complements Shift4’s existing relationships with Las Vegas casinos and other betting venues around the …

The pandemic has in a few months’ time brought changes to the payments business that otherwise might have taken years—even in mundane environments like parking. One big development emerged Thursday with the announcement that TIBA Parking Systems, which manages access to more than 1.9 million parking spaces in the United …

NCR Corp. said it acquired Freshop, a grocery e-commerce services provider. Terms were not disclosed. NCR estimates that buy online, pick up in store shopping will increase 25% per year through 2025.Payment Alliance International said it acquired the ATM portfolio of B & B Music & Video, consisting of 580 company-owned and …