Monday , May 18, 2026

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.

1 Million Plus One: Klarna Adds EZContacts

Eyewear retailer EZContacts is the latest merchant to add Klarna AB’s buy now, pay later payment option. Klarna hopes to displace some credit card transactions, saying vision care is a plannable expense where credit cards remain the default payment option. Klarna says EZContacts customers will be able to use its …

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Eye on Acquiring: Finix Adds an Unattended POS Terminal; Deluxe Checks in at Dollar Bank

Finix Payments Inc. is leaning into the unattended payments arena with the launch of its Android-based point-of-sale terminal designed for self-service payments. In related news, Deluxe Corp. formed a merchant services partnership with Dollar Bank. San Francisco-based Finix says its new POS terminal is meant to meet demand for contactless, …

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RTP Hits Another Banner Real-Time Payment Mark

RTP, the real-time payments network operated by The Clearing House Payments Co. LLC, set another record volume day with 2.27 million transactions processed valued at $8.62 billion on May 1. Its most recent prior record day was Feb. 13 when it processed 2.05 million real-time transactions. The Clearing House attributes …

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Eye on POS: Global Infuses Genius Handheld with AI; Pax To Debut Self-Service Smart Kiosk

Global Payments Inc. intends for artificial-intelligence capabilities to make its Genius handheld point-of-sale device easier for users while it also launches self-service kiosks. But it’s not the only payment-device provider eyeing that market. PAX Technology Inc. will showcase its self-service Smart Kiosk this week, too, at the National Restaurant Show …

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Fed Payments Diary: Cash Use Dips, But Remains Resilient

Credit and debit card use is up, but cash remains in 76% of consumer wallets, finds the 2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice, released by Federal Reserve Financial Services. Now in its 10th year, the report found that, on average, a consumer made six monthly cash payments in 2025, down …

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Global Payments Lands 2,400 Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Locations

This order probably won’t fit in the drive-thru. Processor Global Payments Inc. says it will provide more than 2,400 corporate and franchised locations of  Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants with its Genius point-of-sale technology. Announced Monday, the deal makes Global’s Genius POS systems the exclusive payment-acceptance devices in these restaurants. …

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Eye on POS: Square Counts 140 ISO Partners; Toast Locations Increase 22%

Competition among point-of-sale system providers shows no signs of weakening among two top companies. Square, the acquiring arm of Block Inc., reported a 13% increase in its payment volume for the first quarter, while competitor Toast Inc. says its gross payment volume rose 22% year-over-year. Square’s first-quarter performance comes on …

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Colorado Advances a Measure to Eliminate Interchange Fees on Sales Tax

A Colorado bill that would eliminate sales tax as part of the interchange fee calculation has moved to Gov. Jared Polis’s desk for review following passage Wednesday in the Colorado House. It passed a state Senate vote last week. Similar in some ways to the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, …

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Clover Remains a Bright Spot for Fiserv

One Fiserv Inc. business stood out in the processor’s first-quarter earnings. Clover, its point-of-sale system and services unit, saw a 12% increase in its gross payment volume from the same quarter in 2025. That is despite a 9% decrease in Clover’s first-quarter revenue from lower hardware and data and analytics …

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The AI Upload: Verifone Adapts AI for Fuel and C-Store Merchants; SoundHound AI Debuts an Agentic Platform

It’s heady days for payments and artificial intelligence applications as payments companies prepare for expected growth in AI-assisted commerce. This extends beyond online shopping with Verifone Inc.’s incorporation of AI into Commander, its point-of-sale system for fuel retailers and convenience-store operators. New York City-based Verifone says AI utilities are part …

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