The U.S. authorities seized 145 domains and cryptocurrency linked to BidenCash, a marketplace that facilitated the sale of stolen credit cards and personal data, supporting over 117,000 users and generating $17 million in revenue before being shut down.
The U.S. government has seized around 145 domains and cryptocurrency associated with the BidenCash marketplace, a platform that facilitated the sale of stolen credit card data and personal information, supporting over 117,000 customers and generating over $17 million in revenue before being shut down by law enforcement.
Senator Dick Durbin's proposed legislation aims to break the Visa-Mastercard duopoly by requiring large banks to use multiple payment networks, potentially reducing credit card rewards and impacting economic stability. The law could benefit American Express and Discover, but critics argue it may lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced consumer rewards, higher costs, and limited credit availability. The debate highlights the complexity of balancing competition with consumer benefits in the payment processing industry.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is set to discuss the dominance of Visa and Mastercard in the credit card industry on November 19, potentially leading to changes in swipe fees charged to businesses. This discussion is part of the Credit Card Competition Act, which aims to introduce more competition and possibly lower fees. While the meeting signals interest in addressing high credit card fees, it does not guarantee immediate legislative changes. The impact on consumers and businesses remains uncertain, with some expressing concerns over potential loss of credit card rewards.
Americans are increasingly using "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) loans, which are not as easily tracked as credit card debt, leading to a rise in "phantom debt." This type of debt is concerning because it may not be fully accounted for in traditional measures of household debt. BNPL loans, while offering interest-free installments, can lead to consumers taking on more debt than they can handle, especially with the potential for late fees and interest charges. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating BNPL lenders due to concerns over consumer debt accumulation and the lack of regulatory oversight compared to credit cards.