Canada is often at the forefront of payments innovation, with active fintech hubs and a national initiative to restructure the country’s transaction system for e-commerce. Yet outdated attitudes about identity risk linger, showing how hard it will be to achieve global digital ID at scale.

Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency project has lost its first major ally. PayPal — where the head of Facebook's Libra project once served as president — has cut its ties. As a founding member, PayPal was expected to drive the payment-specific part of the cryptocurrency initiative.

German payments processor and technology provider Wirecard is launching new money transfer capabilities for users of the Viber instant messaging application.

Demand for a user-friendly way to shop and pay for tailored products requires action from those that want to stay ahead of the digital curve, says KBMax's Kris Goldhair.

Transit systems want to use contactless and open payment systems to address ridership declines, an innovative strategy that nonetheless is riddled with pain points due to how transit has traditionally modernized.

Instagram understands it’s not just about giving users what they want, but also when they want to see it.

Samsung Pay users can use the app to send funds across borders to recipients with a bank account through a new service powered by Travelex.

Good customer service, layered with new technology, gives community banks an advantage over big banks.

The key is that FedNow will provide speed, equal access and an infrastructure that enables the private sector to build cross-platform solutions, says BillGo's Kelly Seidl.

Facebook is not the only global megabrand tied to the Libra cryptocurrency project, and with a steady drip of rumors about the partners bailing, pressure on Facebook is rising while partners weigh missing out on the initiative’s addressable market.