Competitive Strategies

PAR Technology Corp., a payments-technology provider, has launched PAR Retail Drive, an AI tool aimed at aiding convenience stores and fuel retailers in data analysis and decision-making. Shift4 Payments Inc. said it has closed on its acquisition of Bambora North America, collectively the North American unit of Worldline, the big Paris-based processor. …

N3XT Inc., a blockchain-powered bank, has partnered with YouHodler, a Web3 platform that supports crypto-backed loans, crypto-reward accounts, cryptocurrency trading, and universal currency exchange. Launched in 2025 by former Signature Bank executives, N3XT provides instant, programmable USD Coin business-to-business payments. A so-called narrow bank, N3XT Inc., uses smart contracts for automated, …

ATM operator Bitcoin Depot Inc. is moving into the social-betting arena with the acquisition of Kutt, a peer-to-peer social-betting platform. Meanwhile, ECI Software Solutions Inc., a business-software and management-services firm, acquired fintech Drypowder to help modernize its financial services platform, including digital payments. Atlanta-based Bitcoin Depot, known for its cryptocurrency …

Fiserv Inc. said it will work with Peoples Group, a banking company, in a major initiative to develop advanced payments infrastructure in Canada in support of real-time payments. Indra Group announced the launch of an open-road tolling system on the I-485 express lanes in North Carolina. The project is expected to streamline …

With a notable Papa John’s win already this year, PAR Technology Corp. looks to build off its 2025 momentum. The hospitality and restaurant point-of-sale specialist posted full-year 2025 revenue of $455.5 million, a 30% jump from $350 million in 2024. Referring to more detail during an earnings conference call Thursday, …

Block is cutting its headcount by more than 40%, the company announced late Thursday during its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call. The move—which will leave Block with less than 6,000 employees, down from more than 10,000—comes as the fintech posted one of its best financial performances for 2025, according to company …

ATM deployer NCR Atleos Corp. said it has agreed to be acquired by The Brink’s Company in a transaction valued at approximately $6.6 billion, including 13.3 million shares of Brink’s common stock and $2.2 billion in cash. Brink’s will also assume approximately $2.6 billion in debt held by NCR Atleos. The deal, …

Ziosk, the restaurant-technology platform for Dallas-based fintech Tabletop Media LLC, is working with restaurant chains Gringo’s Tex-Mex and Jimmy Changas to provide its Drop & Pay payment technology across all locations. The two chains, which are part of Ybarra Franchising Group, have a combined 21 locations throughout Texas. Drop & …

Shift4 Payments Inc. early Thursday announced some record results while its top management underscored the company’s increasing focus on overseas opportunities, along with ambitious plans for a stepped-up sales force. “We are taking lessons learned [domestically] out into the world,” said chief executive Taylor Lauber during a group call to …

Processor ACI Worldwide Inc. announced fourth-quarter revenue of $253.2 million, up 13% year-over-year, while full-year 2025 revenue totaled slightly more than $1 billion, a 12.3% increase from 2024. Net income for the quarter slid 35% to $64.3 million, though for the full year it climbed 12.6% to $226.7 million. NCR Voyix Corp., …