Payments
Social Security Administration stops paper checks in October
The Social Security Administration will discontinue mailing paper checks for benefits starting October 2024, requiring all recipients to use direct deposit instead. This permanent change affects retirement, disability, survivors benefits, and Supplemental Security Income payments. Over 99% of beneficiaries already receive payments electronically, making the transition smooth for most.
Fiserv and Block explore cryptocurrencies for payments
Payment processors Fiserv, Block, and Stripe are integrating cryptocurrencies like stablecoins and Bitcoin to reduce transaction fees for merchants. These moves follow recent regulatory changes and aim to bypass traditional banks and card networks. However, experts note challenges in adoption and declining consumer interest.
Remittix gains traction with exchange listings and presale success
Remittix, a DeFi project focused on payments, has raised over $27.5 million in its presale and secured listings on major exchanges like BitMart and LBank. This comes as analysts predict Cardano's price could drop below $0.25 by 2026 without major adoption. The project, verified by CertiK, positions itself as a utility-driven alternative in the crypto space.
Mastercard declines comment on reported zerohash acquisition
Mastercard executives sidestepped questions about a reported $2 billion deal to acquire crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash during their third-quarter earnings call. The card network emphasized a broad acquisition strategy without confirming the speculation. This comes amid accelerating mergers and acquisitions in the digital assets sector.