Technology

At a time when it’s never been more important for small businesses like salons and spas to improve economics, scalability and control, fintech can provide a path to better margins, says Boulevard's Biju Nair.

Gift card giant Blackhawk Network has partnered with Bakkt, which offers an app to manage various digital currencies.

The technology excels at spotting money laundering and suspicious transactions, but it still can't be trusted to help bank customers make big decisions, such as what to do with retirement savings.

Like their counterparts in the U.K., U.S. regulators should be working closely with the private sector to establish principles and guardrails to direct and focus tech advancements in ways that will protect consumers and financial stability.

JAM FINTOP Banktech will fund startups that offer services designed for the banking industry. All 66 limited partners are banks.

Digital identity data provider Ekata is launching a merchant onboarding process to help payment service providers, B2B lenders and marketplaces quickly add micro merchants and sole proprietors as customers.

In his annual letter shareholders, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said banks are facing "enormous competitive threats — from virtually every angle."

The data aggregator, whose planned merger with Visa was called off in January, intends to use the funds to accelerate its global expansion.

The fintech is one of several that have drawn capital to eliminate the challenges of international commerce.

Companies that can pay people quickly and flexibly will have an advantage, says Payslip's Fidelma McGuirk.