Cards

Even as debit networks and other participants finally get on the same page for EMV chip-card acceptance, the U.S. is still a long way off from widespread consumer adoption of EMV cards.

The major regional debit networks have unanimously chosen Discover's technology for a common code, or application identifier, for routing EMV debit transactions in the U.S. — but the debate isn't over yet.

One of the first successful adopters of in-store mobile payments and digital rewards, Starbucks plans to launch new initiatives that will expand the company’s loyalty and payment programs across channels.

A pending MasterCard "staged wallet" fee, set to take effect in June, is setting a new tone for the emerging payments landscape.

VeriFone promoted its executive vice president of operations to the role of chief operating officer and appointed three other executives to regional president posts, the point of sale terminal manufacturer announced this week.

Western Union on March 20 launched a new top-up program and technology to improve the ease of use of its stored-value services.

Visa Inc. would benefit from buying Visa Europe Ltd. because creating a single global business would outweigh regulatory risk, JPMorgan Chase & Co. says.

As VeriFone Systems Inc. seeks new leadership to help it tackle its ongoing challenges, smaller rivals are looking at their own operations to determine which opportunities to seize in the payments hardware market.

About a month after declaring dissatisfaction with Visa or MasterCard's options for a common code to allow routing options for EMV debit transactions, regional debit networks have chosen to work with Discover Financial Services.

The fragile Bitcoin economy will change drastically as companies scramble to obtain the proper licensing in response to guidance from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which categorizes administrators and exchangers of virtual currencies as money services businesses.

The European banks that own Visa Europe are reportedly considering selling the entity to U.S.-based Visa Inc. to clear the way for an eventual rival system in Europe.

WESTWOOD, N.J. – Ten debit networks agreed today to adopt a common U.S. debit application identifier and work with Discover Financial Services to license the D-Payment Application Specification, known as D-PAS, as the foundation for a common U.S. debit chip payment platform.

Genesco's $13 million lawsuit against Visa Inc., filed last week in a Tennessee court, has a similar ring to it as a countersuit Cisero's Ristorante and Nightclub in Park City, Utah filed last year against its acquiring bank and processor.

MasterCard is working with SelectCore to issue prepaid cards for World MasterCard Fashion Week, scheduled for this week in Toronto.

Planet Payment will allow electronic commerce merchants in the U.S. and Canada to accept UnionPay cards, one of the largest card brands in the world, with more than 3.5 billion cards issued internationally.

Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., a gift-card provider owned by Safeway Inc., filed for a U.S. initial public offering.

Apple's Passbook wallet is a blank canvas for developers of mobile payment apps. Some Passbook apps take a conventional approach to payments, and others put a more imaginative spin on what a mobile wallet can be.

Apple updated its Mac OS operating system to allow its Mac App Store to accept gift cards by scanning them with the computer's camera.

The U.S. may not follow other countries' lead in forcing EMV chip-card users to use a PIN, but data from a biannual Federal Reserve Board survey indicates there is value to sticking with PIN.

Many Bitcoin enthusiasts expect the U.S. government will take steps towards regulating the digital currency. Whether this regulation will threaten or legitimize the currency is still an open question.