Alipay, the leading daily life services platform operated by Ant Group, today unveiled new data on how it is facilitating the digitalization of service providers via digital coupons as they continue to resume regular business operations.

Activate, by ConsenSys Codefi, is the first platform designed to launch decentralized networks and allow customers to purchase, manage, and use their tokens in one application. Today ConsenSys announced that the SKALE Network’s SKALE token (SKL) will be available for purchase through a 3-day Dutch auction on the platform on August 17th, 2020 at 12:00PM EST. Announced in February, the SKALE Network is the first project to launch with Activate, which has since accepted registrations to participate. For users verified on the platform, registrations for the auction are now open on https://activate.codefi.network/skale.

The SKALE token supports the highly anticipated SKALE Network, an open source elastic blockchain network designed specifically for scaling Ethereum by increasing transaction speeds, lowering transaction costs, and creating seamless workflows for end users and developers building applications on Ethereum. The SKALE Network’s mainnet has been live since June 30th. Each application using the SKALE Network gets its own chain for executing transactions at sub-second block times, with over 2,000 transactions-per-second. In addition to running full-state smart contracts, SKALE chains offer decentralized storage and can execute machine learning in smart contracts. Over 40 decentralized applications are currently building on SKALE, ranging from games to decentralized finance, to streaming audio and more. The combination of SKALE and Ethereum is a truly decentralized cloud that allows Web 3 applications to compete with Web 2 on both a cost and performance basis.

“There has been fantastic growth in decentralized applications and DeFi being built on Ethereum. ConsenSys Codefi is designed to enable the builders of our ecosystem with modular tools for commerce and finance, including the applied use of tokens. SKALE is a major step forward for the operating progress of the Ethereum economy, and we are thrilled to support the team,” said Lex Sokolin, Global Co-Head of ConsenSys Codefi. 

“Our goal has been to build a vertically integrated platform that enables a robust network launch and on-going use  — where people can purchase and put their tokens to work as they’re intended. On Activate, after users purchase SKL tokens, they can start contributing to the security and scalability of the network through staking, starting from genesis,” said Collin Myers, Token Strategy Lead at ConsenSys Codefi. Users may be eligible to earn rewards through this activity.

Not only can users buy SKL tokens directly from SKALE Network on the Activate platform, but SKL token holders can stake SKL tokens in accordance with the SKALE Network’s protocol, and receive staking rewards directly from the network in return, without having to leave the application. Activate’s network dashboard makes it easy for users to decide which staking-as-a-service provider to choose to delegate their SKL tokens on the network. The SKL token is a hybrid-use token that participates in the network security mechanism, and is used as a means of payment for SKALE chains.

Activate uses the “Proof of Use” distribution mechanism designed to get tokens to holders whose primary purpose is utilizing network tokens for their intended purpose. Proof of Use programmatically requires users who acquire tokens during a launch to actively “prove use” of their tokens on the network’s mainnet in specific use cases before they’re allowed to transfer or redeem them. In the case of SKALE, participants will be required by the protocol to delegate at least 50% of their purchased tokens for 90 days before being able to transfer them outside the network. This creates a measurable incentive mechanism aimed at minimizing speculative behavior from participants, while maximizing active contribution to the network. Proof of Use aligns with Codefi Activate’s Token Launch Standards which establish fair, accountable, and transparent practices. 

Registrations for the auction are now open on https://activate.codefi.network/skale. 

Global analytics software provider FICO has responded to the extended support[1] announced by the FCA for motor finance customers facing continued financial difficulties, which came into force on 17th July.

“With the latest ONS[2] data showing that the UK payroll dropped by 650,000 in June, and many millions still on furlough, more people than ever need help managing their finances,” said Bruce Curry, vice president for collections and recovery consulting and sales at FICO. “The FCA’s extended support for those on motor finance and other high-cost credit is a welcome measure but will be challenging for many lenders to implement.

“The FCA has made it clear that care must be taken over the handling of vulnerable customers. But it’s not just about those who are typically profiled as vulnerable; there will be many borrowers who are facing financial hardship for the first time, due to COVID-19. Lenders need to find not only the right solution for these people, but the right way to communicate with them, at a massive scale, to reach the best outcome for both parties."

FICO is advocating omnichannel communications strategies, directed by good data and analytics. Automated two-way dialogues across email, SMS, mobile apps, IVR and online sites become more powerful when driven by analytic strategies. And the firm believes that in terms of time-to-value, omnichannel communications are one of the quickest, most powerful solutions that lenders can implement, with a high return on investment.

“The key issue is to make sure the right data is being collected right now,” added Bruce Curry. “Lenders need to collect more data than what they have captured in the past, in order to understand the differences between COVID-19 related debt and non-COVID related debt, and to identify the customers that classic collections risk analytics apply to and those for whom it won’t work.

“It is also important to determine the likely return to financial good profile by customer segment, including whether they work in a protected industry; what circumstances drove their reduction of income; what has been the true level of impact on disposable income; and what is their likely return to good curve given their household dynamics and industry sector.  By truly understanding the customer circumstances, lenders can communicate with the right frequency, through the most effective channel, for the optimal end result.”

The cybercrime industry is worth over $1.5 trillion[1] with a scary 85% of organisations reporting phishing and social engineering attacks[1] every year.

From fake emails to bank fraud, cybercrime is growing both in intelligence and quantity of crimes. 

With cybercrime increasing, a new interactive map by Fasthosts.co.uk has revealed the areas of the UK which fall victim to cybercrime the most often, along with the percentage increase over the last three years. 

Whether it’s the businesses operating in that area, or the case that’s it’s just a hotbed of criminal activity, see where your region ranks in the table below:

The full report can be seen at: https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/data-breach-capital

Michelle Stark, Sales and Marketing Director at fasthosts.co.uk comments: “It’s sad to see cybercrime increasing so rapidly across the UK. With consumers digitally connected with many local and national businesses, staying safe online is critical to protect your bank balance and keep your data secure. We urge all consumers to check the site is secure before they enter any data, and if uncertain, never proceed with inputting details”

Sources:

1.     https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesexperimentaltables

Methodology:

To calculate the index, we analysed cybercrime data from ONS government database (full data at https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesexperimentaltables)

The data is taken by analysing the number of cybercrimes per region in 2016, 2017 and 2018. We then calculated the increase/decrease in total reported cases over the selected time period.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, today announced it is accelerating real-time payments modernization for its customers globally through new digital overlay services. ACI, through collaboration with Mindgate Solutions, now delivers value-added digital overlay services through its UP Real-Time Payments solution, enhancing customer experience while strengthening real-time payments offerings.

The new services enable banks and financial intermediaries to add a range of real-time digital overlay services to support a high-volume, data-rich digital payments ecosystem for consumer, corporate and merchant customers. Digital overlay services deliver white-label mobile apps and web portals, plug-ins, APIs and SDKs for digital and social media channels on top of real-time payments infrastructure, which help banks and financial intermediaries to keep pace with evolving customer demands.

Additional benefits provided to organizations:

• Seamless end-to-end solution for contactless and secure QR code payments, including merchant-initiated payments using dynamic QR codes
• Integrated end-to-end bill payment solution for banks and financial institutions globally with self-service portals and onboarding processes
• Simplified integration for merchant mobile applications, including support for Request to Pay (RtP)
• Flexible person-to-person (P2P) payment services based on proxy/alias (i.e., phone number or email) for added security

“The global real-time payments landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with enhanced customer experience sitting at the heart of this transformation, aided by regulatory mandates and new technologies. Today’s consumers increasingly expect a seamless payment experience across multiple channels — whether it’s through social media, physical point-of-sale or eCommerce,” said Craig Ramsey, head of real-time payments, ACI Worldwide. “Together with our strategic partner Mindgate, we are ensuring that banks and their customers are real-time ready.”

“ACI is a real-time payments pioneer, with a successful track record of working with leading financial institutions around the world,” said George Sam, co-founder, Mindgate Solutions. “We’re excited to extend our collaboration with ACI to bring market-proven, pre-integrated, innovative digital overlay services to ACI’s growing customer base around the world, helping drive digital payments adoption.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic impacts will likely lead to long-term behavioral changes, and businesses need to adapt their strategies accordingly,” continued Ramsey. “We recently surveyed global payments experts, 36 percent of whom had seen an increase in digital transaction volumes over the last few months, and almost half (47%) had seen a shift of transactions across digital channels. This reinforces the rising interest in real-time payments and digital overlay services across the globe — a trend we expect to continue.”

Digital overlay services are expected to be a particular area of focus in those markets that experience high real-time payments growth, as highlighted in ACI and GlobalData’s new Prime Time for Real-Time report.

Itiviti, a leading technology, and service provider to financial institutions worldwide, today announced Diginex, a digital asset financial services and advisory company, will implement Tbricks automated solution to provide risk, P&L and portfolio management to its institutional client base.  This partnership follows on from the existing relationship that sees Diginex utilize NYFIX, Itiviti’s global FIX-based order routing network to provide connectivity to its institutional investors who wish to have digital asset’s exposure in their portfolios.

Diginex will utilize Tbricks to launch ‘Diginex Access’, a multi-venue, front-to-back trading, portfolio, and risk management solution for digital assets including cryptocurrencies and their associated derivatives.  The combined solution will be powered by Tbricks automation technology and robust infrastructure to offer an institutional-grade experience to investors who seek to manage digital assets.

“As institutional demand in digital assets continues to rise, we view this strategic partnership with Diginex as an opportunity to drive a more unified digital assets solution for the capital markets,” said Bobby Rahman, Head of Strategic Partnerships. "Tbricks is already providing a cross-asset solution to a number of sell-side tier 1 banks and firms and we see this as a natural evolution of our capabilities for cryptocurrency trading."

“Itiviti’s Tbricks Automation platform has a proven track record of serving the largest banks and hedge funds with institutional-grade trading technology. Our platform will provide leading-edge Execution and Order Management System and Portfolio Management Solution capabilities for cryptocurrencies and digital assets to the standard that institutions have come to expect in traditional markets,” added Richard Byworth, CEO at Diginex. 

Tbricks is the automation solution within the wider Itiviti Platform which supports trading, connectivity, and automation workflows for all asset classes.  Leveraging 30+ years of expertise in Equities and Derivatives trading technology, Tbricks provides the optimal solution for execution automation enabling users to operate, scale, and adapt their business. The app-based, modular automation framework combines out-of-the-box capabilities with great flexibility for customization and a performance first architecture.

Arcserve, LLC, the world’s most experienced data and ransomware protection provider, today announced the appointment of Ivan Pittaluga as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Pittaluga, an industry veteran, comes with a proven track record of leading advances in service delivery and transformational technology in the high-tech space. As CTO, he will oversee the strategy and development of Arcserve’s globally recognized portfolio of backup, disaster recovery, continuous availability, migration, and archiving solutions.

“The world of data protection is rapidly evolving, fueled by unprecedented challenges from a larger data attack surface and increasingly prevalent cyber threats,” said Tom Signorello, CEO at Arcserve. “The addition of Ivan will accelerate our market-first solutions to these, and other business continuity challenges, with his recognized history of driving organizational change and delivering technology that changes the way companies do business.” 

Prior to joining Arcserve, Pittaluga served as vice president of data protection and governance for Veritas Technologies, where he guided the company’s multinational software engineering and product development efforts for its NetBackup product. Pittaluga also previously held senior engineering positions at Symantec, Commvault, Legato Systems (Dell EMC), and Mastercard.

“We’re living in a digitized economy, and enterprises today can no longer risk exposing their data to cyber threats or loss,” said Pittaluga. “Equally important are the new forms of data and environments that will emerge from rapid innovation in the cloud - all of which will need comprehensive protection. Arcserve’s 30-year experience and foresight to anticipate market shifts uniquely positions it for an exciting chapter of innovation, which I’m pleased to be a part of.”

For more information on Arcserve’s data protection solutions and to request a free trial, visit https://www.arcserve.com/. 

Irish fintech firm OnlineApplication works with Salt Edge, a leader in developing open banking solutions, to help the entire mortgage market ease and shorten the traditionally cumbersome mortgage application process to minutes.

Salt Edge’s data aggregation solution enables OnlineApplication deliver instant banking information within a mortgage application to include a full breakdown of all expenditure and other things that a broker or underwriter would normally be looking for. 

The collaboration will also allow lenders access to real-time financial data so they can verify the applicant’s identity, account number, income sources, and account balance.

While the usual mortgage application takes weeks due to meetings, initial application, paperwork, assessments and so on, now OnlineApplication can shorten this time to 7 minutes via open banking. The partnership will allow consumers to upload their bank statements within seconds and avoid the traditional red tape that comes with a mortgage application.

Karl Deeter, founder of OnlineApplication comments: "We will be able to get a full suite of bank data for any regulated lender in this country within seconds, meaning loan applications can be assessed quicker. In the Irish market that’s a new proposition. "

Using Salt Edge’s financial insights solution, a detailed financial report generated instantly based on complex algorithms, enables OnlineApplication to help lenders better assess applications and, in theory, reduce the risk of bad debts.

Discover the full Salt Edge coverage to find out if our services are available in your country.

Remote identity has been thrown into the spotlight by the Covid-19 pandemic as significantly more people have been forced to access digital services remotely. In fact, according to Nomidio’s State of Identity 2020 research, an additional 3.5 million Brits proved their identity digitally for the first time during lockdown.

It’s against this backdrop that Nomidio has enhanced its cloud-based Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) offering with the integration of VoiSentry, a leading voice biometrics engine. 

Nomidio is a modern identity service delivered entirely from the cloud that allows a business to begin authenticating its customers on websites, or at the call centre, using multiple biometric identifiers. When a customer calls the contact centre they can prove who they are simply by saying ‘my voice is my password’, rather than struggling to remember a password that can be easily lost or compromised.

Aculab’s VoiSentry API allows easy integration of its advanced voice biometric engine that is capable of sophisticated matching to accurately verify if a caller’s voice matches the voice print securely stored within a given Nomidio identity record. 

The world urgently needs a new approach to identity authentication that reduces reliance on passwords and prevents the propagation of people’s personally identifiable information. In fact, according to Nomidio’s State of Identity 2020 study, more than 39 different organisations already store the average Briton’s personal data, contributing to identity theft.

Mark Bosworth, Business Development Manager, Aculab commented: “Nomidio is the first of a new generation of cloud services that allow an individual to register their personal identity information just once, and then to identify themselves using their voice, consistently, across the multiple different businesses they interact with. Finally, the password killer we’ve all been waiting for.”

Philip Black, Commercial Director, Nomidio added: “We’ve designed Nomidio using microservices so it was incredibly simple to incorporate the VoiSentry biometric engine. We looked at a range of voice engines but Aculab were the only firm that met our near-obsessive requirement for biometric authentication. Some vendors say they can do it, but there’s always systems integration work down the track - that’s just not what Nomidio is about.” 

Nomidio IDaaS is the only Identity service available to companies via Amazon’s AWS marketplace as part of the firm’s virtual contact centre service ‘Amazon Connect’, meaning it’s now possible to ‘drag and drop’ consumer biometric authentication into the call flow. It is also the identity authentication service of choice for Avaya, one of the world’s largest providers of contact centre technology.