The Green Sheet Online Edition
September 8, 2025 • 25:09:01
Industry Update
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mike Byington to retire from BlueStar
BlueStar Vice President of Business Development Mike Byington will retire Dec. 31, 2025, after more than 30 years of service. Joining as the company's fourth employee in the 1990s, Byington helped shape BlueStar's culture of authentic relationship building and relentless innovation. Rising from inside sales to executive leadership, he spearheaded critical growth initiatives, most notably the ISV Partnership Program, which transformed engagement with independent software vendors. His strategic vision fostered enduring supplier and customer partnerships and expanded market reach. A mentor to many, Byington's influence remains embedded in BlueStar's DNA, leaving a legacy of leadership, innovation and community, the company stated.
PayNearMe enters Dallas market
Fintech PayNearMe opened a Dallas office at The Aberdeen business district, stating it chose the location for its proximity to key clients in automotive and personal lending, as well as the city's dynamic business and tech community. The office strengthens client relationships, fosters innovation and enhances in-person collaboration, while PayNearMe remains a remote-first organization with existing offices in Santa Clara, Calif., and Holmdel, N.J. The company said its platform supports all major payment methods, including digital wallets, cards, ACH and cash via 62,000 retail locations, serving thousands of businesses across multiple industries.
PCI SSC forms new Regional Engagement Board
The PCI Security Standards Council launched its first Regional Engagement Board (REB) in India and South Asia, appointing 27 leading organizations across banking, fintech, consulting and technology sectors. Modeled after the Brazil REB, the board will advise the council on regional payment security challenges while promoting education and awareness of PCI standards and best practices. Members include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, NPCI, Google, Ernst & Young, Qualcomm and others. The initiative highlights the region's growing importance in global payments and aims to strengthen collaboration, improve cybersecurity resilience and foster a safer payments ecosystem.
Thryv recognized for B2B marketing automation
Small business software platform Thryv was named to Constellation Research's 2025 ShortList for Marketing Automations for Small and Midsize Business. One of only eight firms recognized, Thryv's automations include lead scoring, email marketing, payments integration, invoicing, billing reminders, review requests and post-purchase campaigns.
Chief Product Officer Rees Johnson said the tools are "sophisticated yet deceptively easy to use," giving small firms enterprise-level marketing capabilities. Customers report significant efficiency and tangible results. Constellation Research evaluates products annually based on client input, vendor references, market share and the unique needs of SMBs.
TipMee.app offers fast, cashless rewards
TipMee.app launched as a digital tipping and recognition platform for hospitality, retail and service industries, offering a fast, cashless way to reward staff. Customers can tip instantly via QR codes, NFC, or facial recognition, with funds directed to the right employee or team. Beyond tipping, TipMee provides managers with real-time analytics dashboards to track service quality, highlight top performers, and identify areas for improvement. The platform aims to boost motivation, reduce turnover, and enhance customer experiences. Available across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, TipMee integrates seamlessly into operations, creating a culture of fairness, transparency and appreciation.
RESEARCH
Positive dispute results lead to more disputes
Chargebacks911's 2025 Cardholder Dispute Index revealed a paradox in consumer behavior: positive dispute experiences with banks drive higher dispute volumes. Surveying over 1,200 U.S. and U.K. cardholders, the report found 87 percent were satisfied with dispute resolution, and 88 percent said success made them more likely to dispute again. Dubbed the "convenience paradox" by Chargebacks911 CEO Monica Eaton, this trend benefits banks but fuels friendly fraud, with 76 percent preferring bank resolution and nearly half bypassing merchants entirely. Researchers urged merchants to prioritize prevention by clarifying billing, easing refunds and enhancing customer support to intercept disputes before they escalate.
Gift cards market predicted to exceed $3.81 trillion
According to Precedence Research, the global gift cards market surpassed $1.1 trillion in 2024 and is projected to grow from $1.24 trillion in 2025 to nearly $3.81 trillion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 13.24 percent. Growth is fueled by rising digital payments, expanding ecommerce and demand for personalized gifting. North America held the largest share in 2024, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region. Closed-loop cards dominated by type, but e-gift cards are expanding fastest, reflecting consumer preference for convenience and sustainability. Online sales led distribution, capturing over 61 percent of the market in 2024.
Open banking solutions market surging
The open banking solutions market is projected to grow from $5.5 billion in 2023 to $11.7 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 16 percent, MarketsandMarkets Research found. Growth is fueled by rising consumer preference for mobile apps and web portals that streamline payments, transfers and financial management. Key drivers include cloud adoption, regulatory compliance, and demand for visibility and innovation. Mobile apps are expected to post the highest growth, while third-party providers will capture significant market share by leveraging APIs. Cloud deployment will also expand rapidly, offering scalability and efficiency. Major players include Plaid, Envestnet, Tink, Trustly, Worldline and Temenos.
Gen Z reshaping financial services
Velera released its fifth annual CU Growth Outlook, highlighting how Gen Z is reshaping financial services. Born digital, this generation prioritizes financial independence, bill consistency and emergency savings while demanding seamless digital and in-person experiences. The study found Gen Z expects mobile-first tools, personalized AI-driven guidance and authentic engagement, often seeking advice from platforms like TikTok and YouTube. While credit unions remain the most trusted institutions, younger consumers treat relationships more transactionally than their elders do and will switch providers if their expectations aren't met. Credit unions are encouraged to pair traditional strengths of trust and community with modern, personalized omnichannel solutions to remain relevant.
PARTNERSHIPS
AsiaPay, UATP to expand reach in Asia-Pacific
UATP formed a strategic partnership with AsiaPay, an APAC payment provider, integrating AsiaPay into UATP's Ceptor alternative forms of payment (AFP) platform. The collaboration is designed to enable UATP merchants, particularly airlines and travel agencies, to seamlessly add AsiaPay-supported digital wallets and local payment methods across 17 Asia-Pacific markets, including Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and China. The partners said the alliance expands payment options, boosts revenue, improves customer experiences and simplifies reconciliation using Ceptor's streamlined processing. Initial AFPs include Touch 'n Go, MoMo, LINE Pay and GCash, with additional methods forthcoming, all accessible without major new integrations, they noted.
BlueStar to distribute for SOTI
BlueStar, a global distributor of technology solutions, signed a distribution agreement with SOTI, a specialist in mobile device management. This partnership enables BlueStar's reseller network to deliver secure, scalable mobility solutions powered by SOTI's MobiControl software, which manages devices ranging from rugged handhelds and wearables to smartphones and laptops, the partners stated. By combining SOTI's software with BlueStar's distribution expertise, resellers can expand into the evolving mobility market, boost productivity and strengthen security, they added. Supporting a wide range of devices and operating systems, SOTI's solutions complement BlueStar's extensive hardware offerings and value-added services for resellers and managed service providers.
MoonPay adds Interac e-Transfer option
MoonPay said it added Interac e-Transfer as a payment option for Canadian customers, enabling secure, fast and familiar crypto purchases directly from bank accounts in Canadian dollars. Interac, trusted by millions for everyday transactions, streamlines payments by allowing users to complete transfers directly within their bank's app or online banking, with no manual entry required, MoonPay noted. Further benefits include real-time payments, bank-backed security and seamless CAD checkout. The launch, powered by Paramount Commerce, is expected to strengthen MoonPay's infrastructure for mainstream crypto adoption and enhance access for Canada's growing digital asset market.
Thunes, Ripple set to enhance cross-border payments
Thunes and Ripple expanded their partnership to enhance cross-border payments globally, building on their collaboration since 2020. By combining Thunes' Direct Global Network with Ripple's blockchain-powered payment solutions, the alliance is expected to improve payout reach, speed and accessibility across new markets and currencies. The partners noted that Thunes specializes in reliable, real-time payouts and last-mile delivery in regions with limited banking infrastructure, while Ripple Payments provides fast, transparent and compliant blockchain-based transactions. Together, they aim to bridge traditional finance and digital assets, offering businesses and financial institutions seamless, low-cost and scalable global payment solutions as demand for digital financial services continues to grow.
ACQUISITIONS
TouchSuite gains majority stake in STG
TouchSuite, a commerce technology provider based in Boca Raton, Fla., acquired majority ownership in STG, a Buffalo, N.Y.-based POS and payment provider founded in 1996. STG, known for operational expertise and advanced POS solutions, serves clients across the United States and Canada. Under the agreement, STG will continue operating independently with its current leadership and brand while collaborating with TouchSuite on growth strategies, innovation and best practices. The partnership combines STG's POS expertise with TouchSuite's strength in payments integration, kiosks and funding infrastructure and is expected to broaden solutions for restaurants, retailers and franchise operators throughout North America.
APPOINTMENTS
Joanne Bennett signs on with Ingenico
As the new chief financial officer at Ingenico, Joanne Bennett brings to the company extensive experience in financial strategy, value creation and operational transformation, particularly in private equity environments. She most recently served as CFO of McCarthy Stone, a UK retirement community developer, and previously held senior roles at KKR Capstone and TPG Capital, where she led growth and transformation initiatives across diverse industries. Her track record of driving financial performance and operational excellence makes her well-positioned to guide Ingenico's continued growth. Bennett succeeds Jon Locke, who will transition to Ingenico's Supervisory Board to provide ongoing strategic guidance.
Recurly appoints Jemima Bowden
Recurly chose Jemima Bowden to be its first chief human resources officer, highlighting her extensive background in scaling global technology and SaaS companies. With more than 20 years of HR leadership experience, Bowden most recently served as CHRO at Quorum Software. In her new role, she will oversee Recurly's global people strategy, including talent acquisition, culture, organizational design and DEI initiatives. Bowden is passionate about fostering environments where employees thrive, innovation flourishes and people feel valued. Her expertise in building high-performing teams positions her to shape a world-class culture that supports Recurly's rapid growth and mission of global subscription success.
InsurePay taps Pat Davis
Pat Davis joined InsurePay as the company's CEO, bringing decades of insurance technology and insurtech expertise to the role. Davis is best known as founder and CEO of Utilant, where he transformed a startup into a global leader in survey management software for property and casualty carriers. With a proven track record of scaling growth-stage companies, he is recognized for driving innovation while delivering strong customer value. At InsurePay, Davis will leverage his entrepreneurial background and deep industry knowledge to expand the company's pay-as-you-go billing and payment solutions, emphasizing efficiency, accuracy and transparency for carriers, agents and policyholders.
Anika Grant tapped by Worldline
Anika Grant was appointed chief people officer and executive committee member at Worldline, bringing more than 30 years of global HR leadership experience to the company. As chief people officer at Ubisoft, she guided the company through pivotal cultural and organizational change. Previously, she held senior roles at Dyson, leading an operating model transformation, and at Uber, where she shaped leadership and culture pre- and post-IPO. She began her career at Accenture before advancing to global HR leadership positions. An Australian national fluent in English and French, Grant has lived and worked internationally and advised multinational firms on strategic HR transformation.
FPC names 2025-2026 Board Advisory Group
The U.S. Faster Payments Council (FPC) celebrated its 2025–2026 Board Advisory Group, composed of payments industry leaders who provide insights to guide FPC priorities and initiatives. New members include executives from Experian, Charles Schwab, American Express, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and more, while returning members represent organizations such as the Federal Reserve, Ripple, Trustly, and Nacha. Established in 2020, the group informs the board on trends, opportunities and challenges, shaping work on adoption barriers, use cases and new initiatives. FPC leaders emphasized the group's role in ensuring faster payments remain safe, practical and widely accessible across the U.S. marketplace. For details on appointees, see bit.ly/41VigAo. 
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