CardSpring last month launches an application platform that allows developers to create applications that can work with credit cards. Now, it’s getting a boost with the help of payment processor First Data, which is using CardSpring’s API as the basis for an offer platform for retailers. Read more »
Chirpify, a Portland, Oregon, startup, is unveiling its Twitter commerce platform today, an all-in-one tool that taps PayPal and allows users to monetize their tweets. The company said it’s the first one to turn Twitter into a direct sales channel. Read more »
This report outlines the myriad issues at play in Facebook’s move, from examining how CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to rewire the world to understanding the company’s infrastructure dependency. But from every angle, it’s clear the effects will ripple throughout the startup and tech communities. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Visa Europe sees a very mobile future and now predicts that more than half of all Visa payments in Europe will be mobile by 2020. It’s another sign that the payments will increasingly be channeled through mobile phones. Read more »
PayPal is lining up deals with payment solution providers to help quickly scale its upcoming in-store payment system. It has struck an agreement with Ingenico, whose point of sale terminals will soon be able to handle PayPal transactions. Read more »
PayPal began as a way to help people pay their friends easily online. Now, it’s taking the logical step of enabling Facebook users to pay their friends using a new Send Money Facebook app. Users can send free payments to each other accompanied by an e-card. Read more »
Stockholm-based iZettle — a company that is building a payments system not entirely unlike the much-heralded Square — is taking a big step forwards today by coming out of beta. The system, which consists of a plug-in device and app, goes live today, with approval from […] Read more »
American Express wants to have a stake in the next big digital commerce start-up and it’s establishing a new $100 million fund to make sure it doesn’t miss out. It’s another sign that 162-year-old American Express is anxious to keep evolving. Read more »
EBay and PayPal formally unveiled their X.commerce platform, an ambitious attempt to bridge online and offline commerce and arm developers and merchants with a host of tools to help them facilitate sales. X.commerce turns eBay into broader technology provider to merchants and developers. Read more »
Broadcom is making a big bet on mobile payments finally hitting its stride with its latest NFC chip. The silicon will be manufactured at 40 nanometers, which means it will be small, more energy efficient and that Broadcom will make a lot of them. Read more »
While tech darling Square gets all the press, mobile payments start-up Dwolla is enjoying its own impressive growth and just hit $1 million in daily transactions, putting it on a faster initial pace than Square. It’s showing the power of building a cash-based payment network. Read more »
ZestCash, a next generation loan-service for the underbanked led by former Google CIO Douglas Merrill, has raised $19 million to expand its data-driven approach to offering short-term loans. The company uses online data to help determine the credit worthiness of customers. Read more »
EBay is getting more serious with its mobile payments ambitions with PayPal, announcing today that it is buying Zong for $240 million. The move bolsters PayPal’s existing payment system and allows it to offer users an additional way to pay via carrier billing. Read more »
Mobile payments have taken off in the last few years and are now poised to grow from $240 billion this year to $670 billion worldwide in 2015, aided by growing near field communication transactions for physical goods, according to Juniper Research. Read more »
Randy Shoup, the architectural guru credited with scaling eBay, tweeted Monday evening that he has left the online auction giant to co-found a new consumer-focused e-commerce startup, Shopilly.com. He and another former eBay exec are keeping their plans under wraps for now. Read more »
There have been many failed attempts at launching a digital-cash system, but that hasn’t stopped a group from trying to launch a “peer-to-peer” currency called Bitcoins. Although supporters are optimistic, the venture is fighting a massive uphill battle: for one thing, Bitcoin may actually be illegal. Read more »
Flattr wants to build a “tip jar” payment system, but history is littered with those who have tried failed. Why don’t online tip jars work? The founder of Tipjoy says it’s hard to get people to pay for things they aren’t already used to paying for. Read more »
Silicon Valley venture firm Sequoia Capital has bought a stake in Klarna AB, a European payments provider, and Sequoia partner Michael Moritz has joined the company’s board. The amount has not been disclosed, but Sequoia will become the single largest shareholder of the Swedish company. Read more »
eBay CEO John Donahoe says the company wants to make its PayPal unit the de facto payment system for Facebook games, Twitter money-sharing and every other kind of social game or service. But PayPal has some work to do before it deserves that position. Read more »
PayPal says it has suspended personal payments to and from India, as well as transfers to local banks in India. The changes may be in response to new rules in India intended to restrict money laundering. Read more »
