• Merchant processor Elavon Inc. announced it has added online storefront technology from 3dcart for e-commerce merchants and online-ordering capability for the talech point-of-sale tablet.
• Peer Ledger, a Canadian blockchain company, said a study it conducted shows digital identity can be tied to the blockchain, the technology underlying cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
• In related news, foreign-currency provider eZforex.com Inc. said it partnered with blockchain provider Ripple Labs Inc. and Star One Credit Union to deliver live blockchain-based payments to four continents. Ripple has also worked with banking giant BBVA to deliver cross-border money transfers via blockchain.
• Transaction Network Services Inc. announced an expansion of its Global Wireless Access product, which is used to wirelessly connect payment devices to processors, across North America.
• Merchant processor Square Inc. has acquired the engineering team of the formerly popular anonymous social network developed by Yik Yak for less than $3 million, Bloomberg reported. Founded in 2013, Yik Yak at one point was valued at $400 million.
• Wex Inc., a specialist in payment processing for truck fleets, introduced its Clearview Advanced platform, which provides fuel-price optimization and driver messaging.
• In related news, Comdata Inc. launched Comchek Mobile, a digital platform aimed at trucking companies to allow companies and individuals to send, receive, and access funds via a Comdata card and a smart-phone app. Typical transfers would cover driver advances, repairs, and other common expenses.
• Giact Systems LLC, a fraud-prevention company, launched the EPIC Platform, a suite of payment, identity, authentication, and compliance applications available via a single application programming interface.
• Payworks GmbH, a Germany-based gateway and EMV technology company, said it completed EMV certification with First Data Corp. using the processor’s Rapid Connect service.
• Payments provider i2c Inc. and Bento for Business, an expense-management provider, announced the Bento card, a prepaid debit card to help small-business owners manage their expenses.