Technology

European Union regulators recently passed new rules for shielding data from cyber criminals. Every company that operates in or does business with EU citizens must comply, which is virtually every mid-to-large sized company in the world.

More mobile wallet consortiums failed last month, with two folding in New Zealand and Canada, escalating doubts about the prospects for cooperation among competitors in mobile payments.

The private equity firm GTCR is interested in fintech companies looking to disrupt the status quo, so long as they have proved themselves and are paired with managers who have a long track record of success.

DMI Inc., a mobile technologies software developer based in Bethesda, Md., has announced a collaboration with Cambodia-based mobile banking provider Wing for a mobile app enabling consumer and commercial funds transfers within the country.

Many times, bitter rivals must set aside their differences for the common good. This has happened a lot in recent years as the payments industry adjusts to the fast pace of innovation.

HSBC may seem like an enthusiastic supporter of third-party wallets, taking the rare step of supporting Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay. But these partnerships may prove to be mere stepping stones for a much bigger mobile strategy.

The popular German digital startup Fidor Bank has agreed to be acquired by Groupe BPCE, the second-largest French bank.

Retailers insist that the EMV migration in the U.S. is weak because there is no PIN requirement to verify chip-card transactions, a process that is standard practice in other nations.

Payment Data Systems (PDS), a San Antonio, Texas-based payment solutions provider, has introduced a streamlined approach for mobile app developers to enable payment acceptance from all Apple Inc. mobile devices.

A less discussed but arguably more important application of the blockchain is to help serve the unbanked masses, including refugees.