Starbucks trials reusable contactless cups

Three Starbucks returnable and reusable cups filled with beverages

Customers at 12 Starbucks outlets in the US state of California can now opt to have their beverage served in a reusable cup that they can return after use to a smart collection bin which scans the cup and then automatically enters them for a prize draw... More


Apple Pay to start pilot rollout in South Korea

Apple Pay logo

Apple Pay will begin a limited pilot rollout in South Korea this week, initially for online payments and with offline payments to follow, according to advertisements seen in the capital Seoul and reported by local media outlets... More










What's New in Payments

Starbucks and McDonald’s to pilot central bank digital currency in China

Starbucks, McDonald’s among 19 firms to test China’s digital yuan — Coindesk — “Starbucks and McDonald’s are reportedly among 19 restaurants and retail shops that will be involved in testing China’s central bank digital currency in the country’s Xiong’An new district, a local news outlet reported on Thursday, citing a government document. The move signals China’s wider efforts to test the digital currency project, with state-owned commercial banks already developing wallet applications for the digital yuan, also known as DC/EP.”




What's New in Payments

ETA issues US mobile payments market status report

The state of mobile payments in 2019 — Electronic Transactions Association — “In 2018, 55 million people in the US used their smartphone to make a payment at a physical point of sale, whether by loading money into a closed-loop mobile app (like the Starbucks app) or by loading a credit or debit card into an open-loop mobile wallet (like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) and using it to pay at the point of sale. These 55 million users account for about 20% of the U.S. population aged 15 and over, and just over 25% of US smartphone users.”



What's New in Payments

Maybank signs up 250,000 merchants for QR mobile payments in Malaysia

New chain outlets increase Maybank QRPay merchant base to more than 250,000 — Maybank — “More than 250,000 merchants throughout Malaysia now accept payments using Maybank QRPay, its QR code mobile payment platform, following the recent addition of major chain outlets which include TGV Cinemas, KK Super Mart, 99 Speedmart and Big Pharmacy. This is set to increase further as McDonald’s, Mydin and Starbucks are also piloting this mobile payment option at selected stores within Klang Valley.”


What's New in Payments

Starbucks backs plan to create regulated digital asset platform that will support digital currency payments in stores

Intercontinental Exchange announces Bakkt, a global platform and ecosystem for digital assets — Intercontinental Exchange — “Starbucks will play a pivotal role in developing practical, trusted and regulated applications for consumers to convert their digital assets into US dollars for use at Starbucks,” said Maria Smith, vice president, partnerships and payments for Starbucks. “As a leader in Mobile Pay to our more than 15 million Starbucks Rewards members, Starbucks is committed to innovation for expanding payment options for our customers.”


What's New in Payments

Gaming hardware maker Razer signs up 300,000 mobile payments users in 48 hours

Razer Pay gains 300,000 users in Malaysia within 48 hours — Razer — “Within 48 hours from the launch of Razer Pay on 4 July 2018, over 300,000 users in Malaysia downloaded and signed up for the Razer e-wallet app designed for youth and millennials… Also within the same 48 hours, over 11,000 transactions were made by first-time Razer Pay users at Berjaya Group stores (such as 7-Eleven and Starbucks).”


What's New in Payments

Gaming hardware maker Razer moves into mobile payments market

Razer Pay launches in Malaysia — Razer — “Razer Pay is the e-wallet designed for youth and millennials… Over 6,000 major retail and F&B outlets will accept Razer Pay, with participating brands such as 7-Eleven, Starbucks, Singer, Cosway, Greyhound Café, Wendy’s, Kenny Rogers, Krispy Kreme, 99 Speedmart, Tealive, Thundermatch, Sweet Hut and more… Razer Pay will roll out in other Southeast Asian countries in the coming months.”


What's New in Payments

Starbucks to roll out 100 cashless stores in Korea

Starbucks to increase number of cashless stores in Korea — Retail News Asia — “Starbucks Coffee Korea Co said Monday it will increase the number of cashless stores to over 100 across South Korea this month amid rising use of credit cards and mobile payment systems in the tech-savvy country… Starbucks said the decision is part of its broader digital innovation drive as cash payment has been constantly declining at stores in South Korea, from 31% of the total in 2010 to 15% in 2013 and 7% last year.”