SocialCashier

10/02/2026

El Salvador rolled out a state-supported remittance platform on Tuesday that lets eligible users in the United States send digital dollars to verified recipients for a flat $2 fee, marking a significant pivot toward stablecoin-based payments five years after the country made Bitcoin legal tender.

The app, called Sivar, settles transactions on Base, the layer-2 network operated by Coinbase (COIN). The cryptocurrency exchange is providing the payment infrastructure, while technology firm Modveon built the platform. More than 25,000 Salvadorans registered before the official launch, Coinbase said in its announcement.

The rollout places remittances at the center of a new national digital service. Salvadoran families received nearly $10 billion from abroad in 2025, according to central bank figures, making the remittance corridor a critical economic lifeline for the Central American nation.

How Sivar Moves Money

A sender in the US funds a transfer with a debit card through Coinbase Onramp, and each user receives a noncustodial wallet inside the app. Coinbase's APIs route payments between verified participants while stablecoins settle transactions on Base, with the blockchain process operating behind the app's payment interface.

Recipients can withdraw cash at more than 1,000 locations across El Salvador. The $2 transfer fee remains constant regardless of the amount sent, while transfers within El Salvador are free. The app displays any cash withdrawal fee before a user confirms the transaction, according to Sivar's FAQ.

The fixed fee structure means the charge takes a smaller share of larger transfers. On a $100 remittance, the $2 fee equals 2% of the amount sent. On $1,000, it drops to 0.2%. Those calculations cover the advertised transfer fee; recipients choosing cash pickup can check the withdrawal charge in the app.

Sivar combines payments with verified identity and community features. Users can verify their identity through El Salvador's government login service and join groups linked to their address. The app also supports official announcements, local discussions, and polls. People without an identity document can explore parts of Sivar, according to the FAQ.

Modveon describes Sivar as its first national deployment. The company's website lists El Salvador's Bitcoin Fund Management Agency among its investors. Sivar operates separately from Chivo, the country's earlier public Bitcoin wallet.

El Salvador rolled out a state-supported remittance platform on Tuesday that lets eligible users in the United States send digital dollars to verified recipients for a flat $2 fee, marking a significant pivot toward stablecoin-based payments five years after the country made Bitcoin legal tender.The...

09/25/2026

An AI-Powered UI for Smarter Convenient Payments.

AsiaPay, a leading digital payment service and technology provider in Asia, today announced the pilot launch of Voice Pay, an AI-powered voice payment experience that lets consumers speak into their mobile device and instruct payment using their preferred payment method — from digital wallets to cards. Voice Pay brings secure, hands-free checkout to everyday commerce, making payments faster, more accessible and more intuitive for consumers while helping merchants increase conversions and reduce friction.

With Voice Pay, customers can confirm purchases through natural speech on their mobile phone or other supported device. Behind the scene, AsiaPay connects the voice instruction to the customer's chosen payment method, while its intelligent payment engine manages authentication, routing, fraud protection and processing.

With the voice payments market set to nearly double from $10.9 billion in 2025 to $22.7 billion by 2030, and 81% of consumers already using voice technology weekly, early adopters are recovering 35% of abandoned carts via AI voice agents. As the payments industry shifts from static rules to adaptive AI, AsiaPay is embedding further intelligence into fraud scoring and routing.

"The way consumers shop is changing – and so is the way payments are processed behind the scenes," said Joseph Chan, CEO of AsiaPay. "With Voice Pay, we are giving merchants a voice front-end to an AI-powered payment interface that reduces friction for customers and improves economics for businesses. In an industry where payment networks and PSPs are racing to embed AI into their infrastructure and service, Voice Pay is AsiaPay's answer paving the way for agentic commerce."

AsiaPay Voice Pay is built for immediate use. Existing AsiaPay merchants can unlock this new user experience instantly with Zero-Code Enablement—requiring no development effort or system changes. For new merchants, the API-based gateway integration ensures smooth deployment across leading eCommerce platforms, supporting multi-wallet compatibility including Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, and Octopus and others in Asia, with built-in biometric and tokenized security.

About AsiaPay.

Founded in 2000, AsiaPay, a premier digital payment service and technology solution provider, strives to bring advanced, secure, integrated, and cost-effective electronic payment processing solutions and services to banks, corporations, and e-Businesses in the worldwide market, covering an array of prevailing international credit card, debit card, prepaid card, net banking, wallets, BNPL and QR code payment.

Headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, AsiaPay also offers its professional advanced digital payment service and solution consultancy, and quality local service support from its 17 offices across the Asia Pacific region including Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, Taiwan region, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and India.

by PR Newswire

09/19/2026

As demands for AI continue to shift, so does the planning for the data centers expected to support this growth.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the scale and complexity of data center infrastructure. Traditional data center facilities were designed around relatively steady CPU workloads and predictable growth in power demand, allowing developers to secure energy supply alongside growing demand, cooling systems based on known and mature technology, and infrastructure capacity with a reasonable degree of certainty. AI workloads, however, demand far more power with greater energy density.

Electricity consumption from data centers has grown at 12 percent per year over the last five years, and expected demand growth, particularly in AI training data centers, is set to drive a substantial increase in power demand. Meeting this demand, while maintaining efficiency, is pushing developers toward gigawatt-scale data centers, and with the timeframe for delivering these facilities rapidly compressing, the ability to deliver new infrastructure efficiently is increasingly critical.

In addition, as the scale of these developments grows, so does the complexity of delivering them. Grid interconnections can delay timelines by years, equipment supply chains are stretched, and projects must meet stringent reliability targets while navigating regulatory, environmental and community requirements that vary by region and country.

For owners and developers, the challenge is no longer simply constructing another data center building. The next generation of AI data centers requires a fully integrated approach across power, cooling, transmission, water, digital systems and long-term operations. Success depends on designing these facilities as resilient, flexible and energy-optimized industrial campuses.

As demands for AI continue to shift, so does the planning for the data centers expected to support this growthArtificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the scale and complexity of data center infrastructure. Traditional data center facilities were designed around relatively steady CPU workloads and....

09/04/2026

Global Payments acquires Worldpay from FIS to become a pure-play commerce solutions leader, processing US$3.7tn in annual volume. Global Payments Inc. has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Worldpay from FIS and GTCR.

The shift transforms the Atlanta-based firm into a pure-play commerce solutions provider, with the new entity serving a vast client spectrum ranging from micro-merchants to multinational enterprises.

By shedding non-core assets, the company aims to sharpen its focus on integrated payment technology.This strategic move coincides with the divestiture of its Issuer Solutions business to FIS.

Global Payments acquires Worldpay from FIS to become a pure-play commerce solutions leader, processing US$3.7tn in annual volume. Global Payments Inc. has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Worldpay from FIS and GTCR.The shift transforms the Atlanta-based firm into a pure-play...

08/28/2026

A decade ago, accepting card payments at a farmers market, food truck, or pop-up shop often meant investing in bulky hardware, worrying about battery life, and paying for ongoing technical support. Today, a small business owner can accept secure, contactless payments with nothing more than a smartphone.

Tap-to-pay is doing more than speeding up checkout for consumers—it’s lowering the barriers to commerce for micro merchant, giving them access to affordable payment technology, customer insights, and enterprise-level security once reserved for much larger businesses.

In a PaymentsJournal Podcast, Sara Craven, General Manager at Visa’s Authorize.net, and Don Apgar, Director of Merchant Payments at Javelin Strategy & Research, explored what micro merchants can gain from tap-to-pay. Despite the ease and convenience, these transactions are protected against fraud just as effectively as traditional card payments.

A decade ago, accepting card payments at a farmers market, food truck, or pop-up shop often meant investing in bulky hardware, worrying about battery life, and paying for ongoing technical support. Today, a small business owner can accept secure, contactless payments with nothing more than a smartph...

08/21/2026

The Mojaloop Foundation has named Jean Bosco Iyacu as its next chief executive officer, bringing in a Rwanda-based digital finance leader to guide the nonprofit as it scales its open-source payments infrastructure across emerging markets.

Iyacu will assume the role on June 1, 2026, succeeding Paula Hunter, who is retiring after overseeing the organization’s development as it expanded adoption of its interoperable, real-time payment technology. The transition is expected to focus on continuity while accelerating deployments in regions working to expand access to formal financial services.

Mojaloop develops open-source software designed to help governments, central banks, and financial service providers build interoperable payment systems. Its platform is used as foundational infrastructure for real-time digital payments in markets where financial inclusion remains limited or fragmented.

Iyacu joins at a time when digital public infrastructure is increasingly being positioned as a core component of financial inclusion strategies, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The foundation works with public and private stakeholders to support payment systems that allow money to move seamlessly across banks, mobile money providers, and other financial networks.

Based in Kigali, Iyacu brings more than 15 years of experience in digital finance and financial inclusion systems. He currently serves as CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda, where he has overseen donor-funded programs aimed at expanding financial access and strengthening market systems. He also chairs the Financial Sector Deepening Network Council, which coordinates collaboration across nine African countries.

In addition, he serves on advisory and governance bodies including the CGAP FinEquity Technical Advisory Committee and holds private sector board roles, including with Salvo Grima Africa Distribution.

Iyacu said Mojaloop’s work sits at the intersection of technology and economic development.

“Inclusive finance is one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time,” Iyacu said. “Mojaloop has already demonstrated the power of open, interoperable infrastructure to transform economies and improve lives. I’m excited to build on this momentum.”

Kosta Peric, chairperson of the Mojaloop Foundation, said Iyacu’s appointment reflects the organization’s focus on scaling its global footprint while deepening its engagement in regions where digital payments infrastructure is still developing.

“Jean Bosco brings an exceptional combination of regional insight, leadership experience and deep understanding of Digital Public Infrastructure,” Peric said. “This marks an important step in Mojaloop’s evolution as we continue to scale our global impact.”

The foundation’s model is built around maintaining Mojaloop as a public good through open-source software, allowing governments and financial institutions to adopt and adapt the system for local payment ecosystems. Its goal is to reduce barriers between financial systems and improve interoperability across providers, a challenge that remains central to expanding digital financial inclusion.

As Iyacu takes over leadership, the organization is expected to focus on sustaining funding, expanding adoption across new markets, and strengthening partnerships with central banks and ecosystem participants. The leadership transition comes as interest grows globally in interoperable payment infrastructure as a foundational layer for digital economies.

The Mojaloop Foundation has named Jean Bosco Iyacu as its next chief executive officer, bringing in a Rwanda-based digital finance leader to guide the nonprofit as it scales its open-source payments infrastructure across emerging markets.Iyacu will assume the role on June 1, 2026, succeeding Paula H...

08/14/2026

The new framework marks one of the most significant reforms to Bangladesh's digital payments landscape in recent years, aiming to modernise cross-border transactions, support the country's rapidly growing freelancing and e-commerce sectors, and bring international payment practices under a regulated banking framework

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for bank-mediated cross-border payments, paving the way for global payment platforms such as PayPal, Payoneer and Stripe to enter the country's financial system through partnerships with local banks.

The new framework marks one of the most significant reforms to Bangladesh's digital payments landscape in recent years, aiming to modernise cross-border transactions, support the country's rapidly growing freelancing and e-commerce sectors, and bring international payment practices under a regulated banking framework.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the central bank's Foreign Exchange Policy Department authorised commercial banks designated as Authorised Dealers (ADs) to collaborate with foreign payment platforms, digital service providers, online payment gateway operators and other legitimate transaction solution providers, collectively termed Cross-Border Digital

Payment Service Providers (CBDPSPs).

The move allows banks to offer international digital payment services through globally recognised payment networks, subject to Bangladesh Bank's approval and regulatory oversight.

The new framework marks one of the most significant reforms to Bangladesh's digital payments landscape in recent years, aiming to modernise cross-border transactions, support the country's rapidly growing freelancing and e-commerce sectors, and bring international payment practices under a regulated...

08/07/2026

For decades, cash has been the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. From roadside tea stalls and neighbourhood grocery shops to wholesale markets and public transport, physical currency has remained the preferred mode of payment. Yet the country is gradually entering a new phase, one in which digital transactions are becoming increasingly common. The rapid expansion of mobile financial services, internet banking, digital wallets and, most recently, the introduction of Bangla QR, reflects a broader national ambition to create a cashless economy.

The transition is not merely about replacing paper notes with smartphones. It is about building a more efficient and financially inclusive economy. While Bangladesh has made significant progress over the past decade, questions remain over whether a truly cashless future is achievable and what challenges must be overcome before that vision becomes reality.

Bangla QR and the push for interoperability.

One of the most significant milestones in Bangladesh’s digital payment journey is the introduction of Bangla QR, a unified QR code payment system developed under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank. Previously, merchants accepting digital payments often displayed several QR codes, each belonging to a different mobile financial service provider or bank. Customers were required to use the corresponding application, creating unnecessary complexity.

Bangla QR seeks to eliminate this fragmentation. A single QR code enables customers to make payments using multiple participating banks and mobile financial service providers, regardless of which institution issued the QR. This interoperability simplifies transactions for consumers while reducing operational burdens for businesses.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, Bangla QR also lowers the barriers to accepting digital payments. Instead of investing in expensive point-of-sale terminals, merchants require only a printed QR code and a smartphone to begin receiving payments. Such accessibility is particularly important in Bangladesh, where small informal businesses account for a substantial share of economic activity. More importantly, a unified payment ecosystem encourages competition based on service quality rather than exclusive merchant networks, potentially accelerating digital payment adoption across the country.

For decades, cash has been the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. From roadside tea stalls and neighbourhood grocery shops to wholesale markets and public transport, physical currency has remained the preferred mode of payment. Yet the country is gradually entering a new phase, one in which digital...

07/17/2026

Del 14 al 16 de julio de 2026, la comunidad global de Mojaloop celebró MojaCom 31, su evento central de tres días que reunió de forma virtual a reguladores, banqueros, desarrolladores y expertos en tecnología financiera de todo el mundo. El encuentro se consolidó como el espacio definitivo para debatir el avance del código abierto en los sistemas de pago nacionales.

Los Pilares de MojaCom.

Evolución del Software: Se analizaron a fondo las lecciones aprendidas tras el despliegue de la versión 17.2.0 del software principal.

Hacia la Versión 17.3: Los equipos de desarrollo presentaron la hoja de ruta y los cambios arquitectónicos clave para la próxima actualización masiva del sistema.

Lanzamiento Estratégico: Se anunció oficialmente la nueva Plaza de Mercado de Mojaloop(Mojaloop Marketplace), diseñada para facilitar la integración de servicios complementarios.

Seguridad y Auditoría: Se dedicaron paneles exclusivos a la calidad de la plataforma, la robustez de la seguridad (PQS) y el soporte técnico para auditorías forenses en transacciones.

Casos de Éxito en Directo.

Más allá del código, el evento destacó por la presentación de implementaciones reales. Operadores de centros de pago y representantes de bancos centrales compartieron cómo el uso de esta tecnología está reduciendo los costos de transacción y conectando a poblaciones previamente excluidas del sistema bancario tradicional.

Del 14 al 16 de julio de 2026, la comunidad global de Mojaloop celebró MojaCom 31, su evento central de tres días que reunió de forma virtual a reguladores, banqueros, desarrolladores y expertos en tecnología financiera de todo el mundo. El encuentro se consolidó como el espacio definitivo para...

07/17/2026

From July 14 to 16, 2026, the global Mojaloop community celebrated MojaCom 31, its flagship three-day event that brought together regulators, bankers, developers, and fintech experts from around the world virtually. The gathering solidified its position as the premier forum for discussing the advancement of open source in national payment systems.

The Pillars of MojaCom

Software Evolution: The lessons learned from the rollout of version 17.2.0 of the core software were thoroughly analyzed.

Toward Version 17.3: The development teams presented the roadmap and key architectural changes for the next major system update.

Strategic Launch: The new Mojaloop Marketplace, designed to facilitate the integration of complementary services, was officially announced.

Security and Auditing: Dedicated panels focused on platform quality, robust security (PQS), and technical support for forensic transaction audits.

Live Success Stories

Beyond the code, the event was notable for its presentation of real-world implementations. Payment center operators and central bank representatives shared how the use of this technology is reducing transaction costs and connecting populations previously excluded from the traditional banking system.