Stripe’s Crypto Segment Bridge Gets Greenlit as National Trust Bank
For years, compliance and security concerns kept many financial institutions on the sidelines of the digital asset market. Now, that hesitation is giving way to cautious optimism—and, increasingly, active participation. That shift is due in part to the passage of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., which established clear ground rules for stablecoin issuers. Since […]
Surcharges and Discounts Can’t Overcome Payment Inertia
Merchants can dangle discounts or tack on surcharges, but it rarely changes how consumers pay. Consumers overwhelmingly stick with their preferred payment method, driven more by habit than by small financial incentives. That’s one of the key findings in a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Merchant Steering of Consumer Payment Choice. […]
The Gift Card Shift: From Convenience to Core Shopping Strategy
The past holiday season didn’t just test consumer wallets—it revealed how dramatically shopping behavior is evolving. As inflation-weary shoppers searched for flexibility, value, and convenience, gift cards emerged as a central tool in how consumers planned, budgeted, and ultimately gifted. From promotion hunting to increased reliance on AI, the behaviors that defined the season are […]