Finextra Research: Latest fintech news, analysis, interviews, features and opinion by industry experts

EC sets out e-money legal framework

The European Commission (EC) has set out proposals for a legal framework governing the issuance of electronic money which it hopes will accelerate take-up of the technology.

13 October 2008

News/Blockchain

E-Gold brings in KPMG to beef up AML programme

Digital cash transfer outfit E-Gold has retained KPMG to help improve its anti-money laundering (AML) programme following a criminal case that saw directors plead guilty to charges relating to money laundering and the operation of an illegal funds transfer business.

03 October 2008

News/Blockchain

MasterCard issues 20 millionth PayPass device; foresees shift away from cash

MasterCard has marked the issuance of its 20 millionth PayPass device with a consumer survey that indicates a growing acceptance of contactless payments as a replacement for hard cash.

10 December 2007

News/Blockchain

Ukash goes mobile

Digital cash outfit Ukash is partnering with Vodafone to offer its debit and credit card alternative via mobile phones.

06 December 2007

News/Blockchain

Hi-tech gang indicted on card fraud and laundering charges

The Manhattan District Attorney has indicted 17 individuals and one corporation on multi-million dollar fraud charges related to global trafficking in stolen credit card numbers, cybercrime and identity theft.

09 November 2007

News/Blockchain

Sparter sets up virtual currency exchange

California-based start-up Sparter has released a beta exchange platform designed to enable global 'Gamer2Gamer' (G2G) trading of virtual currencies.

18 June 2007

News/Blockchain

Visa and MasterCard aim for contactless transport

Visa and MasterCard have unveiled seperate plans to install contactless payment technology in New York taxi cabs and at airport car parks.

12 June 2007

News/Blockchain

Germany's Wirecard Bank opens in Second Life

Germany's Wirecard Bank has become the latest financial services firm to establish a virtual branch in 3D online universe Second Life and says it also plans to set up shop in science fiction game Entropia Universe.

18 May 2007

News/Blockchain

UK banks to face low-cost challenger for contactless payments

UK-based start-up sQuidcard is to launch a low-fee alternative to the national contactless programme promised by the nation's biggest banks and credit card schemes MasterCard and Visa.

17 May 2007

News/Blockchain

European market for pre-paid cards set to soar

Spending on pre-paid payment cards in Europe is estimated to reach US$164 billion by 2010, according to new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) research commissioned by MasterCard Europe.

11 May 2007

News/Blockchain

ECB proposes new legal framework for card schemes

The European Central Bank is proposing to establish a new cross-border legal framework to oversee all card payment schemes operating in the euro zone.

03 May 2007

News/Blockchain

Fraud watchdog calls on government to extend legislation to virtual money

Governments need to extend existing financial legislation and regulations into Web-based virtual communities which are experiencing rising levels of real-life crime, says the UK's Fraud Advisory Panel.

01 May 2007

News/Blockchain

E-Gold operators accused of money laundering

The US Department of Justice has indicted the operators of the E-Gold digital cash transfer system on charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

30 April 2007

News/Blockchain

Ebay faces Paypal suit over 'monopolising' payments

Online flea market eBay is facing a class action lawsuit in California over allegations that its PayPal subsidiary has sought to improperly monopolise the forms of payment that sellers can use on the auction site.

27 April 2007

News/Blockchain

Apacs says cashless society as likely as paperless office

Figures on the use of cash in the UK, released by the payments association Apacs to coincide with the launch of a new £20 note, show that Britons show no signs of abandoning cash any time soon. This is despite predictions from Visa of a cashless society by 2012.

13 March 2007

News/Blockchain

Transport for London issues 10 millionth Oyster card

Transport for London says that more than 10 million Oyster smart cards have been issued since the e-ticketing system was launched three years ago, with just five per cent of journeys on the tube and bus networks now paid for by cash.

12 January 2007

News/Blockchain

Consumers turning to plastic for small value payments

More than 67 million Americans have used a credit or debit card for a purchase of less than $5 in the past 30 days, according to research conducted by Ipsos Insight and micropayments outfit Peppercoin.

29 November 2006

News/Blockchain

Netcash pitches digital currency service to retailers

UK EFT firm netcash has begun marketing a new digital currency service to the retail community as an alternative to plastic card and PayPal payments.

29 November 2006

News/Blockchain

Neteller aims at banking markets with Gagie appointment

AIM-listed Neteller, a provider of Web payments services to the online gambling industry, has appointed payments industry veteran David Gagie as president of financial services as it looks to move into the more mainstream banking markets.

11 September 2006

News/Blockchain

Pre-paid card launched for gamers' virtual funds

The company behind online science fiction game Entropia Universe - a role-playing game that has a real world cash economy - is introducing a new pre-paid card that allows gamers to deposit money into virtual accounts without having to use a personal debit or credit card.

25 August 2006