Page 10 - gs250701

IndustryUpdate

underwriting matches funding needs to inventory and
supply chain demands. In addition, Onramp noted, its
commission-based program empowers brokers with
modern tools to support client growth, helping online
merchants scale rapidly—averaging 73 percent growth
within six months of funding.

RESEARCH

BHN finds shoppers lean into
ANNOUNCEMENTS gift cards, digital gifting

Electronic Payments marks 25-year milestone New research from Blackhawk Network revealed that
despite economic uncertainty, U.S. consumers plan to
Electronic Payments Inc. (EPI) is celebrating its 25th buy 10 percent more gift cards in 2025 than in 2024,
anniversary, highlighting a legacy of innovation, in- using them to manage budgets, control spending and
house development and unwavering support for agents find deals. Digital gifting is on the rise, according to the
and merchants. Founded in 2000, EPI prides itself on study, especially via messaging and social media, with
having grown into a leading fintech provider with pro- younger consumers leading adoption. Nearly one-third
prietary solutions like Exatouch® POS, ProCharge® and of gift cards are bought for self-use, and AI is increas-
Cygma®. The company processes over $24 billion annu- ingly used to personalize shopping experiences, partici-
ally for 52,000 merchants through a 1,200-agent network. pants in the study indicated. Loyalty programs tied to
Unique in its agent-driven, investor-free model, EPI gift cards are also growing in popularity. These trends,
noted it offers 24/7 U.S.-based support and fast, reliable researchers found, highlight gift cards as flexible finan-
processing. This November, EPI will debut TableTurn® cial tools and present opportunities for brands to boost
POS for restaurants at its IMPACT25 conference, cel- engagement, loyalty and digital sales.
ebrating a quarter-century of empowering small busi-
nesses and shaping the future of commerce. Gen X prioritizes security over convenience

NetXD unveils TradFi-DeFi infrastructure platform Generation X prefers traditional payment methods like
debit and credit cards, prioritizing security, reliability
NetXD, a Kansas-based fintech company operating in and transparency over digital convenience, according to
10 countries, launched a full-stack platform designed research by PXP. While comfortable with digital transac-
to bridge traditional finance and decentralized finance. tions, Gen X is cautious about adopting newer technolo-
Its infrastructure includes a programmable ledger, sta- gies like mobile wallets, which see limited use among
blecoin-enabled global payments hub, self-custodial this group. Security ranks highest in their payment
HD wallet, AI engine and Large Action Model for auto- priorities, with 51 percent of respondents in the study
mating complex workflows. Financial institutions can citing it as key and 40 percent expressing concerns about
tokenize assets, process payments across all major rails fraud. They value clear payment terms, trusted methods
(including ACH, RTP, FedNow, Visa and blockchain) and meaningful rewards. Businesses aiming to engage
and streamline operations without replacing legacy Gen X should offer familiar, secure payment options
systems, NetXD stated, adding that the platform empha- with added benefits, PXP advised.
sizes compliance, security and efficiency, aligning with
the U.S. GENIUS Act’s regulatory push. NetXD noted Super apps are transforming global markets
that it enables cost savings, real-time settlements, and ResearchAndMarkets' App Economy Market (2025 Edition)
innovation through automation and unified digital asset report provides a comprehensive analysis of global app
infrastructure. market trends, forecasting growth from $409.62 billion

Onramp Funds launches ISO program in 2024 to $874.64 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 8.87
percent. Key drivers include rising smartphone and
Onramp Funds launched a new independent sales orga- internet penetration, especially in emerging markets,
nization program, enabling select brokers to connect and a growing demand for mobile-first experiences. The
ecommerce small and midsize businesses with fast, flex- report highlights major trends like the rise of super apps,
ible funding. Designed for businesses that may not qual- AI integration, immersive AR/VR features, cloud scal-
ify for traditional financing, the program allows ISOs ability and the transformative impact of 5G. The report
to offer capital based on sales performance rather than segments the market by app type, platform and revenue
credit scores or business age, Onramp stated, adding that model, with regional insights and profiles of leading
loans come with no interest or equity requirements, and companies such as Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon.
repayments align with sales cycles. Onramp’s AI-driven

10