ANNOUNCEMENTSChargezoom, an AI-powered billing and payments platform, raised $11.5 million in Series A funding led by Kickstart Fund, marking its entry into Utah's tech scene. Chargezoom CEO Matt Dubois highlighted the strategic partnership with Kickstart as validation of the company's vision. Chargezoom noted it previously secured $2 million in Seed funding in 2021, fueling 3,972 percent growth by simplifying accounts receivable processes. New investors include Motley Fool Ventures and Early Light Ventures, while BIP Ventures exited. The funding supports Chargezoom’s mission to redefine AR automation for businesses across the United States.
EMVCo, a global payments technical body, earned ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for its security evaluation processes, recognizing its ability to deliver consistent, impartial and high-quality assessments. EMVCo evaluates chip and mobile payment products against EMV specifications to ensure security, including resistance to sophisticated attacks as defined by JIL standards. EMVCo stated this accreditation strengthens its role in enabling secure, interoperable payment solutions worldwide. EMVCo Executive Chair Aaron Armstrong emphasized its commitment to cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, supporting secure payment experiences in an increasingly digital world.
FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliated debtors' court-approved Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization took effect on Jan. 3, 2025. Initial distributions to convenience class claim holders are expected within 60 days, pending compliance with know-your-customer and other requirements.
Separate distribution dates for other claims will follow. John J. Ray III, who was appointed FTX CEO in November 2022, praised the recovery efforts and urged customers to complete required steps for timely payments. FTX partnered with BitGo and Kraken to handle distributions globally, with updates to be posted on the FTX Customer Portal and official X.com account.
PayRange and Card Concepts Inc. settled a patent infringement lawsuit, with CCI licensing PayRange’s mobile payment technology. The dispute involved allegations that some CCI products infringed PayRange patents. The parties to the agreement said it highlights both companies’ commitment to protecting intellectual property while ensuring continued innovation and customer-focused solutions. PayRange CEO Paresh Patel emphasized the importance of safeguarding patents to support R&D and industry modernization. CCI President Steve Marcionetti noted the agreement allows both firms to deliver cutting-edge payment technologies confidently.
Wirex heralded the winners of the 2024 Rising Women in Crypto Awards, honoring women leading innovation in blockchain and crypto. Supported by BeInCrypto, winners were selected through public voting and expert evaluations. Honorees include Courtney Jensen (Best Blockchain Developer), Carina Schuster (Best Crypto Journalist) and Dina Sam'an (Best Founder). Wirex emphasized the importance of diversity in fintech and praised the winners for inspiring change. The awards celebrate women shaping the industry’s future and highlight the need for inclusion to drive blockchain and crypto innovation.
Zelle launched the second year of its Scam and Fraud Elimination (S.A.F.E.) Squad campaign, featuring actress Christina Ricci. Partnering with Vox Creative, the series highlights financial crime prevention as Ricci leads a team of detectives tackling scams, including sophisticated fraud using AI. The campaign educates consumers on spotting phishing scams, enabling multi-factor authentication and recognizing urgent requests as red flags. Zelle emphasized its commitment to security, reporting that 99.95 percent of payments in 2023 were fraud-free. Learn more about the campaign and tips for staying safe at www.vox.com/safesquadhq.
RESEARCHA survey by BadCredit.org found that 72 percent of participating consumers plan to pay off debt partially or fully in 2025, with 49 percent prioritizing credit card debt and 46 percent increasing payments. Many aim to save by canceling subscriptions (41 percent) or trying no-spend challenges (26 percent). Budgeting apps (39 percent) and automatic savings programs (36 percent) are popular strategies. Also, 41 percent of respondents are interested in stocks and 37 percent in alternative investments like Bitcoin. Despite economic concerns, 63 percent remain optimistic, attributing confidence to anticipated economic growth.
The U.S. Faster Payments Council released a report, International Practices in Mitigating Faster Payments Fraud, sponsored by Nasdaq Verafin. It examined global anti-fraud strategies from markets like the U.K., Australia, Singapore and Brazil and offers six key approaches for strengthening U.S. fraud prevention.
The report highlights enhanced authentication, transaction monitoring, confirmation of payee practices, and collaboration among stakeholders as critical defenses. FPC Executive Director Reed Luhtanen advised adopting proven strategies to protect consumers and businesses.
The report is available through the FPC’s Faster Payments Knowledge Center at fasterpaymentscouncil.org.
Logica's latest Future of Money Study revealed mixed economic sentiments among Americans, with 49 percent of respondents believing the economy is worsening, 18 percent feeling positive and the rest neutral. These views are reshaping saving, spending and investing habits, researchers found. Key trends include rising mobile payments - 52 percent use mobile devices for payments, led by Gen Z (69 percent) and millennials (65 percent)—and growing demand for workplace financial benefits, valued by 82 percent of employees. Researchers urged financial firms to offer mobile tools, credit-building strategies and workplace programs to address evolving needs.
PARTNERSHIPSBlueStar Inc., a distributor of digital technology solutions, partnered with CleverQ to enhance its offerings with smart online appointment scheduling and call-up systems. BlueStar said this collaboration provides its partner network with tools to improve customer service, operational efficiency and scalability across industries. Dean Reverman, BlueStar vice president of marketing, highlighted the partnership’s role in expanding solutions for scheduling and queuing, enhancing customer experiences. CleverQ CEO Dirk Ostermann said his company's mission is to drive digital transformation and optimize customer processes through data-driven insights, marking a step toward smarter, future-ready business solutions.
i3 Verticals Inc., which delivers integrated software solutions to public and private organizations in healthcare and public sectors, signed a new contract with Saskatchewan Province to provide motor carrier services, strengthening its public sector presence in Canada.
Saskatchewan can now manage registration, credentialing, and fee apportionment through a single, compliant platform that streamlines operations, i3 Verticals stated, adding that its software offers built-in tools for fleet, vehicle and distance management. Stoney Hale, i3 Verticals executive vice president, emphasized the partnership as a key step in expanding the company’s Canadian footprint.
FinTech Automation's ModernRails now uses the FedLine Direct Solution to provide banks and credit unions with affordable, secure access to the Federal Reserve’s payment settlement network. Supporting services like Fedwire, FedACH, FedNow, and Check Services, ModernRails said it streamlines high-volume transactions with automated, IP-based connectivity. It added that it reduces costs and reliance on intermediaries, enabling faster, real-time payments.
Founder David Park emphasized the company's compliance, security and innovation-focused infrastructure, empowering smaller institutions to compete with larger banks and fintechs. ModernRails also noted that it integrates seamlessly, offering scalable solutions for domestic and global payments.
Onramp Funds partnered with Shopline to provide ecommerce merchants fast, flexible funding to fuel growth. Shopline sellers can access tailored financing for inventory, marketing and product launches, with repayment options tied to sales or fixed structures. Funds are available within 24 hours, helping businesses manage cash flow gaps during peak seasons, the partners stated, adding that merchants also receive strategic financial support from Onramp’s experts.
The partnership, they further noted, empowers sellers to scale sustainably without financial constraints. Funding is available to U.S.-based shopline merchants and sellers on Amazon, Shopify, Walmart and more.
Systems East Inc. integrated its Xpress-pay platform with Cybersource, a Visa Acceptance Platform, to enhance security and accelerate deployment through Cybersource’s Token Management Service. Systems East stated Xpress-pay said it serves thousands of businesses and government clients in over 80 industries and processes billions annually.
The update, rolled out in July 2024, provides secure payment solutions for businesses and consumers., the company added Founded in 1981, Systems East said it has pioneered payment innovations, saving tax dollars and improving services, and Xpress-pay, launched in 2005, has generated over $100 million in additional revenue for clients.
ACQUISITIONSLenders Cooperative and Ventures Lending Technologies plan to merge to create a leading provider of commercial loan origination and servicing solutions for financial institutions. Combining Lenders Cooperative’s origination expertise with Ventures’ servicing capabilities, the new entity will support banks, credit unions, and fintechs offering government-backed loans, the companies stated, adding that the merger expands R&D investments into AI workflows, integrated payments and POS lending tools. The merged entities said they will serve 500 institutions, modernizing lending processes and reducing costs for greater efficiency and scalability.
Payfare Inc. will be acquired by an affiliate of Fiserv Inc. in a CA$201.5 million all-cash deal, representing a 90 percent premium to its Dec. 20, 2024, closing price. The acquisition, pending shareholder and court approvals, is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Payfare’s board unanimously supports the deal, citing certainty of value and strategic alignment. The merger, Fiserv stated, enhances its embedded finance solutions and strengthens its position in workforce payments. Post-acquisition, Payfare shares will be delisted, and the company will cease reporting under Canadian securities laws.
PayRetailers, a payment processor in Latin America and Africa, acquired Transfeera, a Brazilian fintech specializing in payment solutions, following approval from CADE and the Central Bank of Brazil. The acquisition strengthens PayRetailers' regulatory and risk management structure and provides direct access to Brazil’s Pix payment system, PayRetailers stated. It added that Transfeera, founded in 2017, brings over 500 clients and expands PayRetailers’ reach in Brazil and open banking. With operations in more than 20 countries, PayRetailers said it aims to enhance services by offering secure, innovative payment solutions across Latin America and Africa through a single API.
APPOINTMENTSAppTech Payments Corp. made changes to its leadership team. Luke D’Angelo resigned as CEO and executive director but will remain chairman of the board. D’Angelo expressed pride in the company’s achievements and commitment to supporting its future growth. Thomas DeRosa was appointed interim CEO, bringing over 40 years of experience in technology leadership, business transformations, and strategic execution. Previously AppTech’s Executive Director of Product & Project Management, DeRosa played a key role in acquisitions and restructuring efforts.
Additionally, Felipe A. Corrado IV was named Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, succeeding Julia Yu. Corrado, who has served AppTech for three years, offers over 20 years of experience as a CFO, CPA, auditor, and consultant. These appointments position AppTech for continued operational growth and financial strength under experienced leadership. Further details are available in the company’s SEC filing.
Papaya Global, a workforce payroll and payments platform, reported that John Turner was appointed to its board. Turner brings extensive expertise in sales transformation, marketing and strategy from roles at Google and TriNet. Papaya CEO Eynat Guez highlighted Turner's operational insights as key to supporting Papaya’s strategic pivot from payroll to workforce payments. Turner praised Papaya’s innovative solutions and commitment to global workforce management. Recognized by Time 100, Forbes Cloud 100, and Fast Company, Papaya said it continues to disrupt the payroll and payments industry.
Jeff Wong is now an independent director of Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network. He brings expertise from 25 years working in technology innovation and enterprise transformation, including serving as EY's global chief innovation officer from 2015 to 2024.
He previously held leadership roles at eBay and JPMorgan Partners and has served on prominent councils, including the Forbes Technology Council and the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council. WSPN CEO Raymond Yuan highlighted Wong’s experience as a key asset for driving global growth and innovation. 
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