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IndustryUpdate

Ripple commits $25M to boost Workers postpone major purchases
American SMBs, veteran careers due to job uncertainty

Ripple pledged $25 million in RLUSD, its U.S. dollar- A Redfin report found job security concerns are reshap-
backed stablecoin, to Accion Opportunity Fund and Hire ing financial decisions for many Americans. Forty-four
Heroes USA to expand capital access for underserved percent of workers are delaying or canceling major pur-
small businesses and create career pathways for veterans chases, while 30 percent are accelerating them. Lower-
and military spouses. The initiative will fund lending, income workers and renters are most affected, with
training and digital payment tools, with an estimated $1 nearly half of renters postponing purchases.
billion total impact nationwide.
Although two-thirds of workers report confidence in
Programs include $125 million in small business lend- job security, 37 percent are more concerned than six
ing, 14,000 veteran job opportunities and fintech career months ago, citing company performance, tariffs and AI
training. This marks Ripple's second $25 million dona- as top reasons. Financial preparedness remains limited:
tion this year, reinforcing its commitment to economic 36 percent lack emergency housing funds, and younger
opportunity, innovation and philanthropy while also adults are least likely to have significant reserves. These
showcasing the role of stablecoins in nonprofit funding. dynamics are tempering housing demand, with cautious
buyers seeking competitive pricing and flexibility from
Shalom Dodoun's Project Ridge secures $18M sellers.

Fintech entrepreneur Shalom Dodoun, founder of Ransomware costs jump 17 percent in 2025
FintechCashier, launched Project Ridge, a next-genera-
tion payment platform designed to streamline domestic Resilience's Midyear 2025 Cyber Risk Report shows ran-
and international transactions. Backed by $18 million in somware costs rising even as claims fall. In the first
strategic investment, the platform offers instant settle- half of 2025, the average cost per attack surged 17
ment, up to 50 percent lower fees, faster processing and percent, while total incurred claims dropped 53 per-
advanced AI-driven security. cent. Ransomware drove 91 percent of losses, fueled
by AI-powered phishing, double extortion and stolen
And early beta tests show significant cost savings and insurance policies that enabled higher ransom demands.
improved cash flow. Targeting cross-border payments, Social engineering accounted for 88 percent of losses,
Project Ridge provides dynamic currency management, with healthcare, retail and manufacturing hardest hit;
compliance tools for AML/KYC, seamless API integra- some faced multimillion-dollar demands.
tions and real-time analytics. Positioned to serve ecom-
merce, SaaS and global businesses, Project Ridge aims Despite fewer vendor-related incidents, financial dam-
to fuel expansion and capture growth in proprietary age per attack is escalating. Resilience advised compa-
payment networks. nies to prioritize understanding financial impacts and
adopting defense strategies with the highest ROI to
RESEARCH build cyber resilience.

TrustCommerce, FinMed report
AI-based technologies improve on patient payments
CX but present new challenges
TrustCommerce, a Sphere Company, in collabora-
The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study tion with FinMed Partners, released a white paper,
highlights renewed interest in in-vehicle payments, with Demystifying Healthcare Payments, which provides a prac-
62 percent of owners wanting seamless options for pur- tical overview to help healthcare leaders, providers, pay-
chases like charging, fuel, parking and tolls. Previous ers and investors better understand the complex patient
systems struggled with complexity, but next-generation payment ecosystem.
solutions
The paper explains how shifting responsibilities, mul-
could succeed if they are simple and convenient. The tiple intermediaries, and evolving regulations and tech-
study also introduced a "smart vehicle" category show- nologies shape the market. It highlights key players,
casing AI features that anticipate driver needs and funding flows and future trends to provide clarity in
improve satisfaction, while flagging challenges with rec- a $5 trillion industry. Combining TrustCommerce's
ognition technologies and usability. Blind spot cameras healthcare payment technology expertise with FinMed's
remain customer favorites, and Genesis and Hyundai market insight, the resource aims to guide stakeholders
lead innovation rankings. Awards went to standout in making confident, informed decisions in a rapidly
models for connected, comfort, driver assist and EV transforming healthcare payments landscape.
technologies.

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