Regal Introduces On-Chain Payments for Moviegoers
Regal Cinemas recently made a big move by accepting US digital currency payments. In partnership with Coinbase and Flexa, they are now allowing customers to make purchases using on-chain U.S. digital currency for movie tickets and concessions. This is a significant step in showcasing how digital currencies can be used for everyday transactions. Customers can get a 10% discount on their purchases through Jan. 6, which is pretty cool. Ashlyn Turner, the marketing and sales manager at Regal, expressed her excitement, saying they are delighted to introduce on-chain payments for a classic pastime like going to the movies. This collaboration is not only making life easier for crypto-savvy individuals but also introducing the benefits of on-chain payments to newcomers.
In other news, the Bank of Nova Scotia has completed its second investment in KeyCorp, with Scotiabank now owning about 14.9% of the Cleveland-based Key. The Bank recently invested $2 billion in KeyCorp, marking another step in its growth strategy in the United States. Scotiabank sees this investment as a cost-effective way to deploy capital in the U.S., supplementing its growth efforts in North America.
Additionally, Fiserv has announced its plans to acquire the Canadian-based payments fintech Payfare, enhancing its embedded finance offerings. Payfare specializes in providing digital banking and payments services to gig workers, working with well-known companies like Doordash, Lyft, and Uber. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025, and Fiserv’s Chairman and CEO, Frank Bisignano, expressed excitement about the prospects of accelerating embedded finance solutions with Payfare on board.
Moreover, New Zealand’s Commerce Commission recently proposed capping interchange fees for Visa and Mastercard payment methods. The proposal aims to reduce fees that payment processing giants charge merchants, ultimately benefiting consumers. The draft will affect various payment methods and transactions, with the goal of cutting down on the costs incurred by New Zealand businesses in processing payments.
Lastly, PalmPay, a Nigerian digital payments fintech, has collaborated with Jumia, a popular e-commerce platform, to promote cashless transactions across Africa. The integration of PalmPay’s digital wallet as a payment option on Jumia’s platform will allow customers to pay directly from their bank accounts. This partnership comes at a time when electronic payments are on the rise in Nigeria, with internet payments leading the charge at 51.9% of all electronic transactions.
It’s exciting to see these developments in the finance and securities sector, showing how the industry is evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses alike.
