All articles tagged with #digital payments
The U.S. dollar’s long-standing status as a global safe haven faces headwinds from rising debt costs, sanctions and tariffs, prompting investors to seek alternatives like gold and, increasingly, Europe’s push toward non-dollar digital payments (e.g., Wero). Foreign holders of U.S. Treasuries have fallen, China is diversifying into gold, and analysts warn the dollar could weaken further over time, though the timing remains uncertain.
PayPal’s stock fell about 20% after it posted slowing growth in its branded-checkout business and announced a dramatic leadership change, naming Enrique Lores of HP as the new CEO effective March 1. Q4 branded-checkout growth slowed to 1% (currency-adjusted) from ~5% in the prior two quarters, with weakness in U.S. retail, international headwinds and tough comps cited. The company guided to a low-single-digit decline in adjusted EPS for the year, while pushing initiatives to boost a faster, biometrics-enabled checkout and capitalize on Pay With Venmo and BNPL to reignite growth. For Q4, payment volume was $475 billion (up 6% currency-neutral), revenue $8.68 billion, and adjusted EPS $1.23, missing some expectations.
The Marshall Islands has launched the world's first national universal basic income scheme offering payments via cryptocurrency and traditional methods, aiming to support citizens amid rising costs. The program, funded by a US-backed trust, provides quarterly payments of about $200, with most recipients choosing bank deposits or checks, and a small number opting for digital wallets. While innovative, the scheme faces challenges related to internet connectivity and governance, and its long-term success remains uncertain.
PayPal has introduced PayPal links, a new feature allowing users to send and receive money via personalized, one-time links that can be shared across conversations, with plans to expand internationally and integrate crypto payments directly into the P2P flow, enhancing the ease and security of digital transactions globally.
The SSA will stop issuing paper checks for Social Security benefits starting September 30, 2025, transitioning to digital payments via direct deposit or a prepaid debit card, a move aimed at cost savings with minimal impact on beneficiaries.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the issuance of paper Social Security checks by September 30, 2025, moving the program towards digital payments, affecting less than 1% of beneficiaries who still receive paper checks.
President Trump signed an executive order requiring the end of paper Social Security checks by September 30, 2023, transitioning beneficiaries to digital payments to reduce costs, increase safety, and improve efficiency, affecting over 500,000 recipients still receiving paper checks.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to phase out paper Social Security checks by September 30, promoting digital payments to reduce costs, increase safety, and speed up benefit delivery. This change affects less than 1% of beneficiaries but marks a significant shift in the program's administration, alongside other reforms like workforce downsizing and stricter identification procedures.
Visa announced its fiscal third quarter 2025 financial results, which will be available on its SEC filing and investor website, and will be discussed in a live webcast. Visa continues to lead in digital payments, connecting global consumers, merchants, and institutions.
PayPal's stock fell nearly 10% despite beating earnings estimates, due to concerns over slowing consumer demand and weaker retail spending tied to tariffs. However, the company raised its full-year outlook, driven by strong margins, growth in Venmo, and expansion into global and in-person payments, positioning itself for long-term growth despite short-term challenges.
PayPal has introduced a new feature allowing U.S. businesses to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies as payment, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and novelty tokens, with a promotional fee of 0.99% for the first year. The process involves connecting crypto wallets, selling crypto on exchanges, and converting proceeds into PayPal's stablecoin before settling in USD. This move continues PayPal's push into digital assets, expanding its crypto capabilities for merchants and consumers alike.
President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act, establishing a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged stablecoins, aiming to legitimize and mainstream their use for payments and transfers, with potential growth to $2 trillion by 2028, and boosting demand for U.S. Treasuries.
Stablecoins are gaining momentum as a potential infrastructure for commerce, with companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Shopify exploring their use. They could streamline payments by serving as a settlement layer, but challenges around liability, dispute resolution, and regulation remain. In some markets, stablecoins are already serving as primary payment methods, raising questions about the future of traditional banking and card networks. A hybrid future where stablecoins coexist with fiat systems seems likely.
Walmart's fintech arm OnePay is partnering again with Synchrony Financial to issue Walmart-branded and general-purpose credit cards, launching this fall to expand digital payment options and reduce fees, marking a return to Synchrony after a previous partnership ended in 2018.
Americans can expect a 3.7% increase in average summer electricity bills due to hotter weather and rising natural gas prices, with the highest increases in New England. Meanwhile, consumer spending is tightening amid trade policy uncertainties, potentially shrinking the economy by up to $92 billion annually. Additionally, mobile wallets are rapidly expanding globally, driven by local preferences and trusted substitutes, with significant adoption across all generations.