The Green Sheet Online Edition
October 26, 2026 • 26:10:02
Industry Update
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Accertify, CyberCash win in CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards
Accertify and CyberCatch received honors in the 2026 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards, which drew thousands of nominations from more than 20 countries in its 10th year. Accertify won "eCommerce Security Solution of the Year" for its Predictive Yes Platform, which evaluates fraud risk from account creation and login through checkout and disputes. It combines identity, behavioral, transaction and outcome signals with AI and shared intelligence. Accertify said the platform helps merchants approve legitimate purchases, reduce false declines and automate reviews while controlling fraud and chargebacks.
CyberCatch won "Security-as-a-Service Innovation of the Year" for its AI-enabled compliance and cyber risk mitigation platform. The solution assesses security controls, identifies gaps and guides organizations toward compliance with applicable requirements. It then uses continuous penetration testing, conducted by AI agents under human supervision, to identify control failures and prioritize remediation. Testing covers external threats, internal vulnerabilities and social engineering to help organizations address evolving risks.
Ballerine honored at 2026 Money20/20 Money Awards
Ballerine won in the Startup Growth Stage category at the 2026 Money20/20 Money Awards, announced Oct. 18 in Las Vegas. Its Workforce platform lets financial institutions configure and manage specialized AI agents for onboarding, underwriting, monitoring and investigations. Agents gather evidence, investigate businesses, assess risk against institutional policies and document findings.
Human teams retain decision-making authority through configurable workflows and escalation rules. Ballerine said the platform helps institutions accelerate approvals, investigate suspicious activity and expand review capacity. The company serves more than 50 enterprises, including banks, acquirers, payfacs, ISOs and payment service providers, and holds Mastercard merchant monitoring service certification.
Delancey Street offers MCA exposure self-check
Delancey Street, an MCA debt relief provider, introduced a free assessment designed to help small businesses identify warning signs of merchant cash advance repayment strain. According to the company, the eight-question tool takes about two minutes, requires no credit check and carries no obligation. Questions cover multiple advances, payment burdens, borrowing to cover existing payments, bounced debits and legal notices. Results include an exposure rating, explanations of warning signs and suggested next steps.
Delancey Street said scoring draws on its client experience. The assessment provides general information rather than evaluating individual contracts. Access the tool online at delanceystreet.com/mca-exposure-assessment.
FIDO advances digital wallet standards
The FIDO Alliance said it will publicly release working documents supporting digital wallet certification and launched an External Advisory Forum for issuers, governments, regulators and industry associations. Announced at Authenticate 2026, the initiatives aim to strengthen trust and interoperability in digital credentials. The Credential Manager Reference Architecture establishes functional, security and interoperability requirements for wallets, forming the certification program's foundation.
A separate Verifier ID framework helps wallets identify services requesting personal information so users can make informed sharing decisions. FIDO said verifiable human identity also supports agentic commerce by connecting transactions to human authorization and enforcing limits set by the user.
TreviPay recognized in 2026 IDC MarketScape assessments
TreviPay was named a Leader in two 2026 IDC MarketScape assessments covering enterprise AI-enabled accounts receivable automation and embedded payments in A/R workflows. The assessments highlighted flexible payment risk options, embeddable APIs and checkout experiences, along with collections, dispute and credit risk management capabilities. A Mastercard partnership enables clients already accepting cards to offer net terms with minimal integration, according to the assessment.
TreviPay also reported approximately 91 percent accurate automated cash application within 24 hours, including transactions with incomplete remittance data. Its platform combines payments, invoicing, credit and receivables management to support buyers and simplify sellers' order-to-cash operations globally.
RESEARCH
BHN research shows how AI could change gift card industry
Blackhawk Network surveyed 694 U.S. business leaders responsible for incentives, commerce and branded payments about AI's potential impact on gift cards. Forty-two percent expect AI concierges to recommend, select and send gift cards by 2030 without shoppers visiting retailers' websites or apps. Another 32 percent anticipate recommendations tailored to recipients, while 24 percent foresee automated purchases for pre-approved occasions.
Twenty-three percent of respondents are building or piloting agentic commerce capabilities, and 47 percent are exploring them. BHN said brands will need to make gift cards discoverable to AI systems while preserving consumer transparency and control. The survey ran from April through June 2026
Nearly half of Americans in study asked AI about money
An Evergreen.ai survey found 48.4 percent of respondents sought financial guidance from AI chatbots in the past year. Among users, 77.8 percent acted on answers, and 28.7 percent did so without checking another source or financial professional. Respondents with advisers were more likely to consult AI and act without verification than those without advisers.
The study also found 42.4 percent of participants had never calculated retirement needs, while nearly 90 percent postponed financial tasks. The analysis covered 1,981 adults surveyed in August 2026. The sample overrepresented wealthier households and was weighted only by region; findings do not represent all U.S. households, researchers noted.
Fintech CMOs expand influence, AI investment
The Fletcher Group's 2026 Women CMOs in Fintech Report found marketing leaders gaining broader business responsibilities while expanding AI investment. Eighty-eight percent said their roles grew over the past year, and 63 percent stated they influence sales, revenue or growth. All respondents use AI for research and analysis, while 69 percent invest in answer engine or generative engine optimization to improve discovery through AI search. All respondents plan increased investment heading into 2027. Seventy-five percent expect larger budgets, and 56 percent plan on hiring.
Ninety-four percent of respondents retain human control over at least one sensitive area, including regulated communications, crisis response, brand voice or positioning.
Nearly 2 in 5 Americans expecting to rely on credit
NerdWallet's October 2026 Consumer Financial Resilience Index edged up to 61.6 from September's 61.5. Seventy-eight percent of Americans surveyed felt in control of daily finances, up from 73 percent, but 38 percent expected to rely on credit for some expenses. Credit reliance reached 54 percent among parents of minor children, 53 percent among Gen Z and 51 percent among millennials.
Sixty-seven percent of participants could cover an unexpected $1,000 expense; ability to do so differed substantially by income. Sixty-five percent anticipated a recession within 12 months. The Harris Poll surveyed 2,020 U.S. adults Oct. 6 to 8 on NerdWallet's behalf to assess household financial preparedness amid ongoing uncertainty.
Rewards spending follows weather, payday and seasonal
Valuedynamx analyzed millions of offer-linked purchases over more than three years, finding recurring spending patterns beyond holiday promotions. On cold UK days, spending through offers rose 14 percent, while hot days saw a 9 percent decline. Around estimated payday dates, purchases increased 5 percent and spending climbed 7 percent.
December gifts and flowers spending exceeded baseline by 107 percent, while January travel spending rose 43 percent. Among repeat shoppers, approximately 75 percent purchased from multiple merchant brands. The findings suggest rewards programs benefit from varied offers that remain relevant as consumers' circumstances and needs change throughout the year, Valuedynamx said.
Seamless payments at center of fitness brand loyalty
Research from Global Payments for Platforms highlights the importance of integrated booking and payments for fitness businesses. Among surveyed U.S. consumers who booked wellness services through platforms, 51 percent booked fitness services and 66 percent discovered providers they now use regularly. Eighty-four percent value paying within the booking platform. Ease of use motivated 58 percent, while 37 percent cited price comparisons.
Refund concerns prompted 28 percent to consider avoiding a platform, and 54 percent expect refunds within 24 hours. Among Gen Z respondents, 76 percent booked fitness services through platforms, underscoring younger consumers' demand for convenient digital scheduling and payments.
PARTNERSHIPS
Boost, Airwallex team up on global card processing
Boost Payment Solutions partnered with Airwallex to expand international commercial card processing, streamline supplier onboarding and simplify cross-border payments. Airwallex supplies processing infrastructure and acquiring capabilities, complementing Boost's expertise in B2B and large-ticket card transactions. According to the companies, the integration can onboard international suppliers in two business days, reduce payment failures and improve settlement reliability and reporting.
Eligible high-value transactions may qualify for favorable interchange rates, with scheme fee optimization across European payment flows. Over five months, Boost's payment volume processed through Airwallex grew nearly tenfold, and more than 270 supplier accounts were onboarded during the same period, the partners stated.
CDE, Bodega AI partner on retail POS
CDE Solutions has partnered with Bodega AI to offer CHEXIT AI, a POS platform for independent retailers. The system combines payment processing, including EBT SNAP acceptance, with inventory management and AI-driven business recommendations. It analyzes sales trends, inventory movement, purchasing patterns and store performance to identify popular products, slow-moving stock and potential revenue opportunities. Additional features include dual pricing, multilingual support and mobile monitoring. According to the companies, recommendations can guide purchasing and merchandising decisions without requiring merchants to analyze complex reports. The partnership combines CDE's payments and retail operations experience with Bodega AI's technology to support daily store management.
Coinbase partners on global payouts, stablecoin cards
Coinbase announced collaborations with Thunes and Marqeta to connect stablecoins with international payouts and everyday card spending. Under its agreement with Thunes, Coinbase will integrate the company’s Direct Global Network, gaining access to local clearing systems and alternative payment methods for payouts to bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide. Thunes said its network will extend Coinbase’s reach across countries and currencies, including underserved regions. Coinbase will supply stablecoin infrastructure to help Thunes integrate digital assets more deeply into its network. Potential applications include supplier payments, gig worker payouts and international remittances, connecting digital assets with local financial systems.
Separately, Marqeta and Coinbase are expanding their relationship to help cryptocurrency businesses and other enterprises offer stablecoin-backed cards. Coinbase will hold stablecoin balances and manage conversion into traditional currencies, while its Base blockchain provides settlement infrastructure.
Marqeta will handle card issuing, processing, and bank and network relationships. Businesses will be able to fund programs around the clock, while cardholders can spend stablecoin balances at millions of card-accepting merchants worldwide, the partners stated. The collaboration builds on Marqeta’s existing issuance of crypto-backed cards for Coinbase and expands its options for enterprise customers seeking to incorporate stablecoins into payment offerings for consumers and businesses.
First Citizens, NCR Atleos to provide ATM access at Target stores
First Citizens Bank reached an agreement with NCR Atleos to give customers surcharge-free ATM access at more than 2,000 Target stores nationwide. Customers can use debit cards at participating locations to withdraw cash, check balances and transfer funds between eligible linked accounts without paying an ATM surcharge. The rollout expands access beyond the bank's branches, adding banking services at retail locations customers already visit. Michael Wilson, head of Wealth and Consumer Banking at First Citizens, said the arrangement supports the bank's effort to serve customers through multiple channels. The agreement complements investments in customer convenience and access to banking, the partners noted.
Sionic, Unfiltered Ink expand hospitality payment referrals
Sionic partnered with hospitality consultancy Unfiltered Ink Media to expand access to its Instant Bank Pay service through payment resellers serving restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses. Unfiltered Ink Media will act as a referral partner, connecting merchants with resellers offering the service. Instant Bank Pay uses FedNow and the RTP network through banking partners to deliver account-to-account payments, with merchants receiving funds within seconds.
Participating merchants can also offer consumer rewards for bank payments using Apple or Google wallets. Sionic said the service supports online, mobile and in-store commerce while potentially reducing payment acceptance costs compared with cards.
Wildfire, Badge bring rewards to mobile wallets
Wildfire Systems and Badge partnered to deliver personalized merchant offers and rewards through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet. Wildfire clients can extend existing rewards programs into native mobile wallets using Badge's infrastructure, while Badge clients gain access to Wildfire's network of more than 50,000 merchant programs.
Consumers who add a rewards pass can view personalized cashback and savings offers. Badge updates pass as offers change, using push notifications and location-aware reminders to encourage engagement. The companies said the partnership expands shopping touchpoints without requiring new infrastructure or merchant relationships and creates opportunities for future joint product development.
ACQUISITIONS
BlueStar to be acquired by TD SYNNEX
BlueStar signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by technology distributor TD SYNNEX. BlueStar specializes in POS, digital identification, RFID, mobility, digital signage, networking, IoT and robotics technologies. The companies said the combination would expand resources, capabilities and market opportunities for customers, vendors and channel partners while retaining BlueStar's specialized approach and support. BlueStar CEO Ryan Girvin said joining TD SYNNEX would support growth while preserving its entrepreneurial culture.
BlueStar will operate independently until closing, with existing teams, processes and programs continuing. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.
KORT Payments to acquire AptPay
KORT Payments agreed to acquire Toronto-based AptPay, expanding beyond card acceptance into account-to-account payments, disbursements and payment orchestration. Terms were not disclosed. AptPay provides one integration across card, bank and real-time payment networks—including Mastercard Send, Visa OCT, Interac e-Transfer, ACH, RTP and FedNow—with built-in compliance screening.
The acquisition will support KORT's U.S. expansion and enable customers to collect and send funds through one provider. AptPay will retain its brand and operate as a KORT division led by CEO Shams Syed. Closing is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions, with customer support continuing.
APPOINTMENTS
Steven Boal appointed to pmtbox board
Steven Boal, founder of Quotient Technology and CashStar, joined pmtbox's board of directors. Boal founded Quotient, formerly Coupons.com, in 1998 and led it as CEO and board chair for 24 years, including its New York Stock Exchange listing. He also founded and chaired CashStar, the digital gifting company acquired by Blackhawk Network in 2017.
His experience includes developing coupon security systems and digital gift card infrastructure for major retailers. Boal currently serves as CEO and board chair of Matia Mobility. Earlier, he headed global emerging markets at J.P. Morgan. At pmtbox, he reunites with former CashStar colleague Pete Kledaras.
Veho selects Henrik Nilsmo
Henrik Nilsmo, formerly chief revenue officer at EBANX, joined ecommerce delivery company Veho in the same role, leading its commercial organization. Nilsmo brings 14 years of experience building commercial teams at technology companies. At EBANX, he built and led the global commercial organization, helping brands navigate payments across international markets.
Previously, he spent six years at Klarna in commercial leadership, general management and product roles during its expansion into new markets. At Veho, Nilsmo will oversee commercial efforts as the company expands relationships with retailers and serves additional sectors, including healthcare, small and midsize businesses, and third-party logistics providers.
Brad Wiskirchen joins Chargebacks911
Brad Wiskirchen, founding CEO of fraud prevention provider Kount, was appointed chief commercial officer of Chargebacks911 and CEO of its sister brand, Fi911. He brings more than two decades of experience building financial technology businesses, including leading Kount through its acquisition by Equifax and subsequently serving as general manager of Equifax Digital Solutions.
Wiskirchen also led North American fintech investment efforts as an industrial partner at CVC Capital Partners and chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Salt Lake City Branch. His responsibilities include acquisitions, partnerships and expanding relationships with financial institutions, processors and payment orchestration providers worldwide.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact information, links and other details may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
