Mobile wallets

As both the volume and value of digital currencies increase, so will inevitable attempts to commit fraud and theft. In this nascent stage, what is protecting cryptocurrency buyers and sellers?

RecargaPay, an eight-year-old mobile payments platform targeting unbanked and underbanked consumers in Brazil, has secured $22 million in funding to reach more users and merchants.

Even if most consumers aren't leaving their plastic cards at home in favor of mobile wallets, the very idea of using a mobile wallet is no longer cutting-edge. But a few companies go the extra mile.

OEM and other mobile payments can feed sales, marketing and recurring transactions for lenders, according to Steve Yi, co-founder and CEO of MediaAlpha.

Banks and cardholders will be able to verify purchases, increase credit limit, add cards immediately, provide feedback to retailers, receive on-demand coupons, or upgrade card benefits.

The Boston-based Circle has offered several services over the past few years and has shifted its strategy.

Nearly a year after integrating with major mobile wallets, Punchh is expanding its cloud-based platform to integrate loyalty and payments for quick-service restaurants.

Ant Financial, which operates China's popular Alipay wallet, has a plan for the U.S. that goes beyond its abandoned purchase of MoneyGram.

Wirecard has partnered with SES-imagotag, which makes electronic shelf-labeling systems, for a new technology enabling consumers to buy products directly from store shelves with their smartphones.

The cashless society is no longer just a feast for the 527 million Chinese mobile payment users, but to anyone with a solid digital footprint, according to Franklin Chu, managing director for Azoya USA.