Hoot Host’s Launch and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 2/16/26

Hoot Host launched an expanded version of its software-with-a-service product for online businesses, including payments acceptance through PayPal, Square, and Stripe.
The cryptocurrency exchange OKX, based in the Seychelles and with a regional headquarters in San Jose, Calif., received a Payment Institution license in Malta, a move that will allow the company to continue providing stablecoin-based payments processing across the EU market, according to reports.
The average down payment for a home in the U.S. market in December slid year-over-year to 15.2% of the purchase price, or $64,000, shrinking for the first time in five months, according to the real-estate brokerage Redfin.
Former Adyen NV chief technology officer Alexander Matthey has been named to fill the same role at the payments platform PPRO.

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