Study Shows QR and Digital Payments Continue Gaining Ground in Argentina

A recent study made by Fiserv, a global payments company, shows that QR and digital wallets have grown significantly as payment options in Argentina. While credit card preference has stagnated, the use of cash for payments has decreased, with only 14% of the polled choosing to use it over other options in the country. Argentina … Read more

Blockchain Retail Market Size to Top Over $2 Billion by 2028 — Study

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global blockchain retail market size is expected to surge from the $172.2 million recorded in 2021 to over $2 billion by 2028. Both the demand for the product by end-users as well as the growing use of the technology in supply chain management are expected to sustain the market’s … Read more

BIS Releases Report On ‘Project Icebreaker’ — Develops Cross-Border Retail CBDC Payment Model

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has released a report summarizing the “Project Icebreaker” trial, which explored the potential advantages and difficulties of utilizing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) in cross-border payments. The experiment was designed to test “the technical feasibility of conducting cross-border – cross-currency transactions between different [distrubuted ledger technology]-based CBDC … Read more

Xapo Bank Integrates Lightning Network Payments Through Lightspark Partnership

On March 2, Xapo Bank announced its partnership with Lightspark, a company led by David Marcus, former crypto boss at Facebook. The partnership aims to extend the utility of bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Xapo revealed on Thursday that it is the first fully licensed private bank to offer payments through the Lightning Network. Xapo … Read more

Singapore Seeks Detailed Information From Crypto Firms Ahead of New Regulations, Report Unveils

Financial authorities in Singapore are taking steps toward increased oversight in the crypto space with the city-state’s central bank reportedly asking companies to provide additional information about their activities and assets. Ahead of a possible broadening of the applicable rules, the authority is trying to get a clearer idea of their financial state, knowledgeable sources … Read more

ECB’s Lagarde, Panetta See Digital Euro as More Efficient Payment Means Than Crypto

Unbacked cryptocurrencies are not an efficient means of payment and stablecoins are vulnerable to runs, top officials at the European Central Bank have pointed out in a new article making the case for a digital euro. The executives have marked key objectives for the project which should provide Europeans with “easy access to central bank … Read more

Tectum Softnote Review – Transactionless Crypto Payments of the Future

When it comes to making cryptocurrency payments, the primary concern these days are the high transaction costs and the long confirmation times for legacy networks. In addition, those looking for anonymity with their crypto transactions have to go through several hoops to obfuscate the source of funds and detach the tokens from their identity. What … Read more

Ghana CBDC Development: New Central Bank Document Outlines Key Motivations for Issuing the Digital Currency

In a recently released document, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) outlines some of its key reasons for developing the central bank digital currency (CBDC). Also, in the document, the bank’s governor insists the institution is open to suggestions that will help it to successfully launch the digital currency. Benefits of a CBDC The Ghanaian central … Read more

Visa: One in Four Businesses Surveyed Plan to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments This Year

Payments giant Visa has conducted a survey of small businesses and found that almost a quarter of those who responded plan to accept cryptocurrency payments this year. “I think more people are feeling more confident with crypto,” said a Visa executive. Small Businesses in 9 Countries Plan to Accept Cryptocurrency This Year Visa published a … Read more

Eurosystem Approves New Oversight Framework Concerning Crypto Services

The monetary authority of the euro area, the Eurosystem, has introduced a new framework for overseeing electronic payments, including services related to crypto assets. The new set of rules will complement upcoming EU regulations for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. ECB Aims for Secure and Efficient Digital Payments Through Improved Oversight Following public consultations on the matter, … Read more