The Green Sheet Online Edition
April 4, 2025 • 25:04:02
Industry Update
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Alchemy Pay obtains Arizona money transmitter license
Alchemy Pay said it secured a Money Transmitter License (MTL) in Arizona, marking its ninth MTL approval in the United States and reinforcing its commitment to regulatory compliance and secure fiat-crypto transactions. The company noted that with over 3 million users and 8 million transactions processed by 2024, its platform continues to expand rapidly.
Chief Marketing Officer Ailona Tsik emphasized the company's dedication to compliance and transparency. Alchemy Pay also holds regulatory approvals in the UK, Switzerland, South Korea, Australia and Canada and positions itself as a trusted global fintech leader.
DeepTarget personalization a finalist for Banking Tech Awards
DeepTarget Inc. 's AI-powered Digital Experience Platform (DXP) is a finalist in the 2025 Banking Tech Awards USA for Best Personalization Solution. Presented by FinTech Futures, the awards celebrate innovation in U.S. banking technology. DXP's focus is on equipping community banks and credit unions with advanced personalization tools that turn digital banking channels into revenue drivers.
By combining consumer data and AI, the platform delivers targeted product offers, boosts conversion rates and enhances ROI, FinTech Futures noted. DXP includes full campaign management, performance analytics and expert support.
NCR Atleos named a Most Loved Workplace
NCR Atleos Corp. was certified as a Most Loved Workplace by the Best Practice Institute, recognizing its strong workplace culture and employee satisfaction. The certification is based on employee surveys, public sentiment and leadership input. Atleos' inclusive and collaborative environment emphasizes respect, empowerment and alignment with company values, the institute noted.
NCR Atleos supports employee well-being through flexible work options, wellness programs, professional development and continuous recognition – with feedback helping to shape policies and promote belonging.
ParkHub becomes JustPark
ParkHub, a North American event parking technology provider, rebranded as JustPark following its April 2024 merger with the U.K.-based platform. The unified brand supports over $1 billion in booking volume for 500+ U.S. B2B clients and 14 million U.K. drivers. JustPark aims to simplify parking by enabling easy booking, payment and management across major venues like the Rose Bowl and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as airports and universities. The rebrand reflects a global vision to offer seamless, data-driven parking experiences while expanding U.S. services and bringing advanced reservation capabilities to international markets.
International Payments online training set for May 14 –16
ResearchAndMarkets.com added the online course "International Payments" designed for banking professionals with experience in domestic payments seeking to deepen their international expertise. The course, set for May 15 – 16, 2025, covers foreign exchange principles, high- and low-value global payments, SWIFT and CLS systems, ISO 20022 migration, liquidity management and international trade facilitation.
It also explores risk, legal and regulatory issues, as well as current market challenges. For more details about this training visit www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j27k90.
'Shanghai Summer' aims to redefine global consumption
Shanghai launched its latest "Shanghai Summer" international consumption season, focused on redefining summer campaigns with immersive retail, travel and lifestyle experiences. Slated to run from July to October 2025, the initiative includes innovations like "240-Hour Products" for visitors and themed city events.
Foreign card spending during the city's 2024 campaign surged 68.2 percent, with standout growth in key commercial areas, organizers stated, adding that this year's program enhances payments, tourism and dining through expanded UnionPay and Visa support, cultural activations from Disney and LEGO, and smart travel tools. The multilingual website www.shanghaisummer.com offers global travelers a seamless guide to exploring the city, they added.
TAG names Instant Financial a Top 10 most innovative company
Instant Financial, a fintech modernizing earned wage access and payments for hourly workers, was named one of the Technology Association of Georgia's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2025. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Instant offers digital tips, instant pay and flexible wage access solutions used by major employers like Church's Chicken and Randstad USA.
The company has helped frontline workers access over $7.5 billion in earnings and $4.5 billion in tips, TAG noted. Recent innovations include a Financial Wellness program and Instant Direct, offering customizable payout options.
RESEARCH
Survey finds Americans not ready for current economic uncertainty
A new Beyond Finance survey of 2,000 U.S. adults revealed that while most Americans are prioritizing financial well-being amid economic uncertainty, only 13 percent feel "very good" about their current finances, and just half trust themselves to manage money effectively. Amid rising disillusionment with financial institutions, 74 percent now manage finances themselves, with many turning to budgeting tools, education and open family conversations.
Women reported slightly lower self-trust than men, and generational differences are shaping approaches to financial planning. The findings underscore a growing shift toward financial self-empowerment, where emotional resilience and knowledge are key to long-term success, researchers noted.
Europe digital payments market set for transformation in 2025
The Digital Payments in Europe 2025 report, published by ResearchAndMarkets, highlights a sharp rise in digital payment adoption, with over 60 percent of online and 25 percent of in-store transactions using digital methods in 2024. Global wallets led online payments, researchers found, while OEM wallets dominated in-store. In addition, instant payments are accelerating non-cash transaction growth, projected to exceed 630 billion transactions by 2028, with nearly 90 billion in the B2B segment.
Card payments remain strong, researchers noted, but consumer preferences are shifting toward real-time, secure options. The report also explores emerging trends like cryptocurrency use, pay by bank interest and rising ecommerce impact on European payment behavior.
Integrated payment platform market on steady growth path
QKS Group released an in-depth analysis forecasting the global integrated payment platform (IPP) market to grow at a 12.82 percent CAGR through 2030. The analysis provides strategic insights into global and regional trends, competitive benchmarking and industry adoption. IPPs are now essential to modern payments, supporting real-time, cross-border and high-value transactions via flexible, modular systems, researchers stated.
With AI and automation, IPPs enhance efficiency and fraud detection, they added, noting that major vendors include FIS, Stripe, Oracle and Adyen. Researchers also pointed out that for financial institutions and fintechs, IPPs are critical to driving innovation, reducing complexity and staying competitive in the global payments landscape.
$h3PARTNERSHIPS
Ballerine, MC to power real-time merchant risk monitoring
Ballerine, a Mastercard-certified Merchant Monitoring Service Provider, joined the Mastercard Engage Partner Program to help financial institutions, fintechs and acquirers streamline merchant onboarding, compliance and risk monitoring. Ballerine's AI-driven platform automates KYB/KYC checks, fraud detection and ongoing monitoring through a unified infrastructure, reducing onboarding time by up to 70 percent and mitigating risks like transaction laundering, Mastercard stated, adding that the platform supports global compliance and integrates seamlessly across jurisdictions.
As a Mastercard partner, Ballerine now offers pre-integrated solutions to Mastercard's global ecosystem, empowering partners to scale faster, reduce fraud, and meet evolving regulatory and card scheme expectations with greater efficiency, the partners noted.
BHN, Monadnock to drive sustainable gift card innovation
Blackhawk Network, a provider of branded payments, partnered with Monadnock Paper Mills to launch Renovo, a sustainable, fiber-based gift card substrate designed to replace PVC. Made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled fiber and certified as recyclable, Renovo offers carbon-neutral manufacturing, exceptional durability and broad printing compatibility, the partners affirmed.
Already certified by major North American manufacturers, the substrate will roll out globally later this year. BHN said it exceeded its goal of converting 75 percent of its gift cards to fiber-based materials, having reached 85 percent in 2024. Renovo marks a significant step in BHN's ongoing efforts to advance sustainability in the gift card industry, the company stated.
Fiserv, Kansas team up to launch strategic fintech hub
Fiserv, Inc. revealed plans to open a strategic fintech hub in Overland Park, Kan., creating approximately 2,000 jobs. The 427,000-square-foot site on the Aspiria campus supports Fiserv's goal of fostering innovation through large, collaborative hubs.
Chosen for its central location, tech talent and affordability, the Overland Park hub is expected to serve Fiserv's Midwest clients and provide high-value career opportunities, including roles for veterans and local graduates. Partnering with state leaders, Fiserv aims to boost Kansas' economy and community vitality. The new office, which will open in 2025, is part of Fiserv's broader U.S. expansion strategy.
Pidgin, BMA team up for more accessible faster payments
Faster payments platform Pidgin formed a strategic reseller partnership with BMA Banking Systems to expand access to real-time payment capabilities for banks and credit unions. This collaboration combines Pidgin's advanced infrastructure with BMA's extensive network and expertise, enabling more financial institutions to offer fast, secure and efficient payments, the partners stated, adding that by integrating with services like FedNow and RTP, Pidgin eliminates the need for third-party accounts. BMA will focus on seamless implementation to help institutions stay competitive. The partnership aims to meet rising demand for convenience while future-proofing payment operations.
ACQUISITION
Paychex completes acquisition of Paycor
Paychex Inc. completed its $4.1 billion all-cash acquisition of Paycor HCM Inc., uniting two providers of human capital management (HCM), payroll and talent software. The merger creates the industry's most comprehensive, AI-enabled HCM portfolio, aimed at serving organizations of all sizes with greater flexibility, expertise and innovation, Paychex stated, adding that it expects over $80 million in annual cost synergies by fiscal 2026, along with significant revenue growth opportunities.
The acquisition, Paychex added, strengthens its position in the mid-to-large business segment and is projected to boost adjusted EPS in fiscal 2026. Paycor's team and capabilities will play a key role in driving future expansion, Paychex noted.
APPOINTMENTS
Fortis adds two C-suite leaders
Fortis appointed two accomplished executives to its leadership team to support rapid expansion in embedded payments. Brad Bialas joined as chief commercial officer, bringing over 24 years of fintech and payments experience from companies including Moov, Xformative and BluePay. Known for driving strategic partnerships and channel growth, Bialas will lead Fortis' commercial strategy and forge industry alliances to accelerate revenue.
Kimling Lam was named chief marketing officer. With a strong background in go-to-market strategy and digital transformation from leadership roles at Adyen, Checkout.com, Worldpay and FIS. At Fortis, she will focus on strengthening brand presence, partner engagement and demand generation. Together, Bialas and Lam bring four decades of experience that align with Fortis' mission to redefine commerce through seamless payment integration.
Socure promotes Rivka Gewirtz Little
Socure appointed Rivka Gewirtz Little as chief growth officer, recognizing her strategic leadership and deep expertise in fraud, identity and payments. With over 15 years of experience, including roles at Goldman Sachs and NICE Actimize, Little has been instrumental in Socure's growth, serving previously as senior vice president of market and strategy and chief of staff to CEO Johnny Ayers.
In her new role, she will lead the growth and insights organization, overseeing market strategy, product positioning, fraud intelligence and government affairs. Little aims to expand Socure's impact by driving digital trust and identity certainty at a global scale.
Puneet Malhotra joins Personetics
Personetics appointed Puneet Malhotra as chief revenue officer, bringing a seasoned fintech and banking executive to lead its global sales operations. With previous leadership roles at NCR Voyix and VSoft Corp., Malhotra is known for aligning business strategy with client goals and guiding financial institutions through digital transformation.
At Personetics, Malhotra will oversee relationships with major global banks across 30 countries and 150 million users. Malhotra is committed to driving growth by helping banks adopt Cognitive Banking solutions that enhance customer engagement and deliver measurable business outcomes.
AU10TIX selects Yair Tal
Yair Tal is the new CEO of AU10TIX, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in payments, fintech and AI-driven services to the company. Known for scaling Payoneer from startup to global epayment leader and serving as CEO of AI localization firm BLEND, Tal now aims to accelerate AU10TIX's growth and innovation in identity verification. He plans to enhance the company's machine learning capabilities and expand regionally to meet rising global demand.
Tal is especially focused on combating deepfake fraud, emphasizing the importance of trust and security in enabling businesses to grow and thrive in today's complex digital landscape. 
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