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Thanksgiving Through Christmas Sales Increase 5.1% and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 12/26/18

  • Sales from Thanksgiving through Christmas on all forms of payment increased 5.1% compared to the same period last year to more than $850 billion, according to Mastercard Spending Pulse, which says this is the most robust growth seen in six years. Online sales gained 19.1%.
  • Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp messaging platform is said to be developing a payment system based on digital currency. The service will focus initially on India.
  • Stephen Pair, chief executive of cryptocurrency payment processor BitPay, told CNBC he believes cryptocurrencies will become mainstream payments options in three to five years.

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