Digital Currency

Linxens Holding SAS has become the global provider of biometric smart cards produced with technology from Linxens and Idex Biometrics ASA under a new agreement. The cards feature fingerprint sensors from Idex and an NFC antenna inlay from Linxens.Blockchain-based gaming platform Aqua said it has hired former Facebook executive Sean Ryan as chief …

Samsung Electronics launched Samsung Wallet for its Galaxy line of mobile devices. The new application allows users to store payment cards as well as digital keys, boarding passes, ID cards, and other credentials. Later in the year, the wallet will support driver’s licenses and student IDs. Samsung Pay users can upgrade to the wallet …

At a time when the values of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are collapsing, interest in the utility of stablecoins for payments appears to be on the rise. On Wednesday, a blockchain-based online marketplace called Dibbs said it had integrated with Circle Internet Financial LLC to allow buyers to use Circle’s …

Credova, a buy now, pay later platform for outdoor-sports-related purchases, launched its Pay in 4 program, allowing shoppers to split purchases into four installments at no interest.Point-of-sale technology provider PredictSpring said it has raised $16 million in a Series B funding round.Point-of-sale system maker Bravo Systems released updates for automated form completion and text …

The steep drop in the value of Bitcoin made itself felt Tuesday at Coinbase when the crypto exchange’s boss announced an 18% cut in its workforce. The 10-year-old company had more than 4,900 employees, according to its Web site. That’s about 880 employees affected by the layoff, though some reports …

Abra, a financial-services company specializing in digital assets, and American Express Co. have announced they will offer a rewards credit card that will let users pay with U.S. dollars but earn rewards in cryptocurrency. The new card, expected to debut late this year, will feature benefits such as Amex Offers, …

Fiserv Inc. said more than 300 sports and entertainment venues are now using Clover Sport to provide payment and marketing services to fans. Clover Sport is based on Fiserv’s Clover point-of-sale technology.MoneyGram International Inc. launched a service that supports money transfers via the Stellar Network’s public blockchain and USD Coin, a stablecoin from Circle Internet …

Circle Internet Financial Ltd. said early Friday it has agreed to acquire Cybavo, a Taiwan-based developer of tools for digital-asset custody and blockchain development. The Boston-based company, perhaps best known as the developer of USD Coin, a stablecoin linked to the U.S. dollar, said the acquisition will provide the technical …

Mastercard Inc. said it is working with seven companies to enable its branded payment cards to be used for making non-fungible token purchases. NFTs are digital goods.Sardine, a provider of anti-fraud and compliance technology to fintechs, said it will work with cryptocurrency-technology provider Zero Hash to enable instant settlement on the …

EMVCo reported the number of EMV chip cards in circulation globally has grown by 1.1 billion over the past year to a total of 12 billion. Some 68% of all cards issued are now EMV-enabled and 90% of all card-present transactions use EMV chip technology, according to the global standards body.Paysafe …