With Bitcoin ATMs now having been deployed in scores of locations around the world, merchants are starting to see how the machines could potentially drive traffic and sales—especially with a younger, hipper clientele. The latest merchant to install Bitcoin machines is Locali Conscious Convenience, a three-store deli and convenience-store chain …

It’s still very early in the U.S. smart card game, but so far chip-and-PIN authentication dominates among commercial card issuers, according to new research by First Annapolis Consulting Inc. The findings could signal that chip-and-PIN will beat out chip-and-signature authentication as the United States prepares for broader smart card issuance …

The private operator of Chicago’s 36,000 parking meters announced Tuesday that drivers will be able to pay with mobile phones at all of the city’s metered street spaces later this summer. The expansion reportedly makes Chicago the biggest market for mobile parking payments in the country and comes just three …

Peter Lucas They’re not household names, but network backbone providers TNS and Phoenix Managed Networks have executed a major shift beyond their long-time base in dial-up connections. Ask a merchant who his or her transaction processor or acquiring bank is and they can provide the name in a snap. Ask …

Karen Epper Hoffman After a major failure several years ago, biometrics is enjoying a renaissance in payments. As usual these days, mobile has a lot to do with it. So does the fear of fraud. Think of it as an authentication trinity—what you have, what you know, what you are. …

Elizabeth Whalen Tech companies and processors are transforming tablet computers, notably Apple’s iPad, into mobile electronic cash registers of the future that do a whole lot more than simply payments. Four years ago—before the introduction of the iPad—Jason Richelson was trying to find a better point-of-sale system for his three-location …

Linda Punch Proponents say EMV chip cards with dynamic authentication could take a real bite out of card fraud. But what does this new technology mean for PINs? As the card industry rolls out so-called EMV contact and contactless chip cards in the U.S., the technology known as dynamic data …

Some billers have dismissed virtual cards because they assume the added interchange fees will increase their overall costs. Not true. Billers looking for a way to take payments through a multitude of channels while also controlling costs need look no further than the existing card infrastructure, argues Blair Jeffery. Blair …

Jane Adler Facing pricing pressures from new competitors in their traditional business, the wire-transfer companies are seeking new growth opportunities. New technology is highly disruptive to established markets, and the payments business is no exception. Consider recent developments in the traditional wire-transfer business. As technology and consumer demand change the …

Peter Lucas With big banks like Chase and Citibank aggressively promoting remote deposit capture, consumer demand for the product is skyrocketing. As a result, more and more banks are using it as a tool to acquire and keep customers. It’s been a long time since banks have had a customer-acquisition …