Investment

Bank consortium R3 CEV, one of the most well-funded blockchain working groups, has endured criticism for its meticulous process. But if blockchains are most valuable with a network effect, maybe forgoing some agility is worth the long while.

The parent of Alipay is also investigating uses for biometrics and artificial intelligence.

Payment companies and other financial institutions were victimized less than health care, educational institutions and government agencies.

Rather than killing off the plastic card, smartphones are strengthening it. Many issuers' card accounts are more valuable than ever, with perks made possible only through the development of smartphone apps.

Loyalty programs can be a mixed blessing. When they work as advertised, they can lock in consumers and build relationships; when they fail, they vex shoppers and sour relationships.

As artificial intelligence makes analytics better, the question of who gets to benefit from the intel will come up more. Fintech startup wallet.ai believes customers should be told of propensities that might be hurting them.

Mastercard has announced a partnership with billionaire investor George Soros to work on a for-profit humanitarian project called Humanity Ventures that could bring aid to migrants and refugees around the world.

It should surprise no one that the cybersecurity rules regulators are drafting are simplistic and written in one size to fit all.

BorrowersFirst said its new financing will come from Waterfall Asset Management, a New York firm that focuses on high-yield investments.

As payments become "invisible," easier execution will also make transactions more safe and power marketing programs