Friday , April 19, 2024

Kevin Woodward

Kevin's role at Digital Transactions is to write news and features stories for publication on the Web site and in the magazine. He also oversees the digital editorial aspect of the site and the Digital Transactions News daily newsletter.

Spotify Bumps Last Premium Users from Apple Billing

Spotify, the digital-music service, has notified long-time customers it will no longer support payments from Apple Inc.’s App Store for premium subscriptions. Those customers who use the Apple service will be moved to Spotify’s free service and must transition to an alternative, such as PayPal or a credit card, for …

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With a Few Weeks Til Launch, FedNow Lists 57 Participants

FedNow, the nation’s second real-time payments network set to debut in late July, says 41 financial institutions, 15 service providers, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be ready to send and receive transactions. All 57 have completed certification and testing for FedNow. The Federal Reserve said in 2019 …

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On the Eve of FedNow, TCH’s RTP Readies for a Real-Time Payments Boom

As the payments industry waits a few more weeks for the expected July launch of the Federal Reserve’s FedNow real-time payments platform, the backer of a real-time payments service that is entering its sixth year readies for more business. Operated by The Clearing House Payments Co. LLC, the Real Time …

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Tap to Pay Arrives for Venmo And PayPal Zettle

PayPal Holdings Inc. is adding tap to pay on mobile phones to its U.S. Venmo users with business profiles. The Tap to Pay on Android technology enables merchants that accept Venmo payments to do so using conventional Android smart phones without having to attach a special payment dongle. The service …

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Eye on Acquiring: FreedomPay Lands IHG Properties and Helcim Adds a Surcharging Option

IHG Hotels & Resorts, with close to 4,000 properties, will use FreedomPay Inc.’s payment technology, the payments provider said. Meanwhile, Helcim launched its Helcim Fee Saver surcharge program. Philadelphia-based FreedomPay says its FreedomPay Commerce Platform will provide the payments functionality for multiple IHG brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton, …

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Sezzle Pay Anywhere Debuts To Broaden Sezzle’s BNPL Acceptance

As buy now, pay later use continues to grow—U.S. volume could reach $6.5 billion by 2027, one report says—provider Sezzle Inc. is taking a step it says will ensure consumers can use its installment payment service where they like to shop. It launched Sezzle Pay Anywhere, a subscription-based service that …

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Blackhawk Adds Three More Betting States for its Game On Card

The new revenue opportunity associated with online gambling compels many payments companies to court gaming providers. Blackhawk Network, the prepaid card specialist, is the latest to do this with the expansion of its Game On card to Maryland, Kansas, and Wyoming. Game On cards enable consumers add funds to their …

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A No-Contract Smart POS Terminal from Helcim Debuts

Helcim Inc., a Calgary, Alberta-based payments provider, launched its Helcim Smart Terminal, which it says carries no contract or monthly fees. The device, which uses the Android operating system, is priced at $349 (C$429) and will be available this summer. Among its technical capabilities is a built-in printer, a large …

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Cash App And Venmo Operators Have Two Weeks To Answer Senators’ Scam Queries

Cash App and Venmo, peer-to-peer payment services from Block Inc. and PayPal Holdings Inc., respectively, are under scrutiny from four U.S. senators over their fraud-protection efforts. In letters dated June 15 and sent to each company, the senators requested data on the volume of fraud reports the networks have received …

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Luxury Retailer LVMH Adopts Tap to Pay on iPhone

A handful of U.S. retail outlets owned by luxury-goods retailer LVMH Group will offer Tap to Pay on iPhone later this year, the Paris-based company announced Wednesday. Tap to Pay on iPhone enables merchants to accept contactless payments using a payment-acceptance app and an off-the-shelf iPhone. The service, announced in …

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