Biometric smart cards are emerging as the next innovation in payment cards.

According to ABI Research the payment card is here to stay and fingerprint authentication within the card is the next natural evolution to retain convenience while increasing security.

So, let’s take a look at the potential and status of the technology to understand why 2018 is set to be the turning point for on-card biometrics.

Integral, the financial technology partner trusted by leading banks, brokers, and investment managers to design, deliver and grow their FX businesses, announced today that it has received a U.S. patent, number 9,836,789, titled “Method and System for Generating and Operating Hybrid Markets and User Defined Marketplaces.”

SupplyOn, the Global Supply Chain Collaboration Platform, has chosen CloudTrade’s patented PDF to e-invoice technology to boost e-invoicing adoption among its customers. 

SupplyOn is the leading supply chain collaboration platform for the global manufacturing sector. Its best of breed online platform enables users to manage business processes with suppliers and service providers across continents in a structured, transparent and secure manner.

Mahindra Comviva, the global leader in providing mobility solutions, received nomination in two categories at the prestigious Global Mobile Awards 2018. The nominations were received in the categories “Best Mobile Innovation for Payment” and “Best Mobile Innovation for Women in Emerging Markets”. The winners will be announced at the GSMA Mobile World Congress scheduled for February 26 - March 1 in Barcelona.      

The platform Robo.cash operating at the alternative lending market of the European Union since February 2017 is now open for investors from Switzerland. In this respect, it is believed that the Swiss investors will appreciate the opportunity to diversify a portfolio with cross-border investments in high-turnover PDL-loans.

Finastra has acquired Olfa Soft SA and its cutting edge FX e-trading platform for banks and financial institutions. The move enables Finastra to deliver a unique end-to-end real-time eFX trading solution for banks’ treasury departments, covering distribution, position-keeping, post-trade and payments.

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Volante Technologies Inc., a global provider of software for the integration, processing and orchestration of payments and financial messages, announced today that it has been collaborating with BNY Mellon on creating and deploying technology to enable real-time payments in the US and internationally.

West Corporation ("West") and Nasdaq, Inc. jointly announced today that West has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the public relations (Public Relations Solutions) and webcasting and webhosting (Digital Media Services) products and services within Nasdaq's Corporate Solutions business for approximately $335 million, subject to adjustments. Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services consist of a comprehensive portfolio of communication tools, media intelligence and multimedia services for organizations across all industries.

With Open Banking set to shake-up retail banking in early 2018, challenger banks are being advised to take advantage of Open Banking.