Digital transactions see new developments

Checkout.com has launched direct acquiring in the United States under its Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Bank charter in Georgia. This move is expected to expand the company’s payment processing capabilities in the US market.

Mastercard Inc. announced Mastercard Wallet Pay, a set of technologies enabling interoperability and encouraging innovation among wallets for contactless and online payments. According to Juniper Research figures cited by Mastercard, some 4.3 billion persons globally now use digital wallets, a number expected to grow to 6 billion by 2030.

Feedzai, a fraud prevention provider, said Peoples Group, a regulated Canadian bank and trust, will integrate Feedzai’s service to support the launch of Canada’s Real-Time Rail, which is expected to begin rollout later this year. This integration aims to enhance the security and efficiency of digital transactions in Canada.

A recent study by J.D. Power found that 59% of Canadian cardholders are considered financially unhealthy, up from 58% last year. The study, which surveyed 11,887 cardholders, also found that 38% now carry revolving debt, up from 36% a year ago.

Read Also: ISOs and ISVs Partner for Growth

American Express Co. said it is offering a wide variety of benefits and perks to cardholders as the company begins its first National Football League season as the official payments partner of the NFL. Benefits include a dedicated stadium entrance and access to pre-sale tickets. Meanwhile, Klarna Group plc is providing payment plans for the latest Apple iPhones, including the $1,999 Apple iPhone Duo and the $1,199 Apple iPhone 18 Pro.

Point-of-sale system maker Toast Inc. opened applications for its Toast Changemakers Program, which awards $150,000 in grants to 15 U.S. restaurants. Payments provider Finix added the PAX Technology Inc. A3700 and A35 POS devices to its terminal set, expanding its payment processing capabilities.

MVB Financial Corp. said it will work with stablecoin-payments platform Velocity to participate in a Visa Direct pilot for push-to-card payouts funded and settled via stablecoins. Cross-border payments and identity platform Algorand Foundation U.S. Inc. named William Herkelrath chief executive, succeeding Staci Warden, who stepped down after almost five years in the role.

William Herkelrath most recently was a co-founder of K3 Labs, an AI-based automation service.