Given the highly motivated and sophisticated cybercriminal networks operating across the globe today, it shouldn't come as a surprise that blockchain technology is vulnerable to attack. But this is terrible jolt for cryptocurrency platforms. Recently, hackers stole more than $40 million in bitcoin from Binance; Cryptopia was placed in liquidation after hackers broke in and siphoned $16 million in cryptocurrencies; and Coinbase recently foiled an attempt to steal $1.1 million in Ethereum.
These attacks challenge innovators in the payments and fintech industries seeking new ways to transact, as well as protect current networks and services. Meanwhile, blockchain-based platforms aren't the only solutions under siege. The lead article for this issue delves into the areas hackers find particularly appealing in 2019. Security professionals are facing off with fraudsters on many fronts, including business email, POS systems, and large networks containing the health and other personally identifiable information of millions of individuals.
Keeping data safe is one of many responsibilities today's payments pros hold. Industry experts featured in this issue address several other aspects of running a sound merchant services enterprise today. The areas by our contributing writers include the importance of online reputation management for all types of merchants, advantages of the emerging hybrid inside-outside sales model, what to watch out for in the early days of a new partnership, key aspects of navigating termination of an ISO agreement, and how to prevent inertia from holding you back.
Staying on top of industry news is also essential for everyone in the merchant acquiring sphere. To that end, we post press releases daily on our home page, www.greensheet.com, as well as post breaking news stories regularly. Topics covered in this issue's news briefs include EMVCo's certification of MagicCube's software-based mobile payments solution, stepped up actions being taken against cybercrime in several jurisdictions, U.S. consumers' growing interest in direct debits for subscription payments, and automated, man-in-the-middle attacks targeting online checkout functions.
Also inside, you'll find product and company profiles; updates on recent company and individual milestones, research, partnerships, acquisitions and appointments; and other content designed to inform and inspire you. Why not drop us a line at greensheet@greensheet.com? Tell us what issues and developments concern you most. And don't forget to send your press releases to press@greensheet.com. It doesn't take long to write a release, and with that act alone, you could reach thousands of people doing business in the payments sphere. 
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