EMEA

Wirecard has partnered with SES-imagotag, which makes electronic shelf-labeling systems, for a new technology enabling consumers to buy products directly from store shelves with their smartphones.

The Arizona-based online auto dealer has partnerships with 35 credit unions – and is looking to expand.

Momentum is continuing unabated for blockchain projects and initial coin offerings as the potential for blockchain continues to be realized.

U.K. lawmakers are launching an inquiry into cryptocurrencies to investigate their benefits and risks and consider how the new technology should be regulated.

It would appear that momentum is continuing unabated for blockchain projects and ICOs (initial coin offerings), as the potential for blockchain continues to be realized.

NMI, which provides payments gateway services for resellers of payment services, has purchased U.K.-based Creditcall to expand its EMV and contactless capabilities so it can support retail, e-commerce, mobile and unattended payments through a single platform.

Many large European banks are developing their own services to comply with the data-sharing requirements of PSD2, but thousands of smaller and midsize organizations will need help, seeding the growth of startups specializing in open banking tools.

Payworks has raised $14.5 million in a Series B funding round with several participants including Visa and CommerzVentures.

U.K. consumer spending had its first January decline in five years last month, dealing another blow to the hopes of retailers after an inflation squeeze sapped demand in 2017.

Wirecard has gained a foothold in using virtual prepaid cards to streamline corporate payments across business units, platforms and borders for companies with sprawling operations. Now the German company wants to do the same for more U.S. companies going global.