Contactless payments stories
The ranking puts Azerbaijan's digital finance sector on a global stage, as Bir becomes the first South Caucasus firm to join CNBC's neobanking list.
Merchants in more than 100 countries will get quicker access to real-time data as the platform adds AI assistants and workflow tools.
UnionPay cardholders in Azerbaijan will soon be able to pay at more merchants as Bir expands acceptance across its banking and eCommerce network.
Banks and fintechs may soon keep more payments inside their own apps, as Apple's wider NFC access loosens iPhone wallet restrictions.
Operators could lift spend and speed service as hospitality payments move from fixed terminals to connected platforms across venues.
New figures show shoppers are increasingly choosing digital wallets and BNPL, even as cards still dominate spending across New Zealand.
Merchants in hospitality, healthcare and retail can now run payments, orders and operations through one system as Elavon rolls out new integrations.
Millions of UK and European shoppers can now skip manual card entry online, as Revolut rolls out Visa's Click to Pay at checkout.
Digital wallets are gaining ground in Australia, but cash is still expected to account for 9% of point-of-sale value by 2030.
Small businesses can now access automated expense tracking and cash back as Intuit ties the new card directly to QuickBooks accounts.
Customers can earn higher cashback on Samsung purchases as the Galaxy Card ties spending more closely to the company's wallet and retail apps.
Australia-based users can now spend USDG balances on Mastercard's network without a physical card, via Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Younger consumers drove almost seven in 10 sign-ups for Hyundai Card's Apple Pay rewards debit and hybrid cards within 50 days.
Reliable Wi-Fi and cyber security helped organisers keep broadcasts, ticketing and fan services running at the U.S. Open.
The deal aims to cut admin for Bakers Delight franchisees and link payments with Microsoft Dynamics 365 across more than 500 Australian stores.
Families in Singapore can now give children controlled access to overseas spending, with limits, monitoring and no foreign transaction fees.
A third of UK consumers say they would switch banks for a wooden card, as 68% express interest and many distrust green claims.
Long battery claims and Google app support put the new wearable into New Zealand's premium smartwatch race at NZD $699.
Small UK firms can now take card and digital wallet payments via smartphones, payment links and terminals after Lloyds teamed up with Stripe.
Guest shoppers could face fewer checkout steps as merchants using Ecommpay can now surface Apple Pay and Google Pay earlier in the process.