Australian university tests central bank digital currency for cash disbursements in emergency situations

CBDC pilot participants, including Southern Cross students and staff members

The Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) has completed an eight-week pilot programme with Southern Cross University in New South Wales that has shown how organisations such as universities could provide immediate financial support using a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in emergency situations when ATMs and other payments technologies are unusable... More



Linxens opens NFCW Expo showcase

NFCW Expo and Linxens logos

EXHIBITOR NEWS: Smartcard microconnector, inlay and antenna leader Linxens has opened a booth in the NFCW Expo, showcasing its latest contactless card innovations and providing readers with an easy way to connect with the company to learn more about its products and services... More










NFC World

Rohm to use ST NFC chips for wireless charging in cars

NFC reader IC and 8-bit microcontroller from STMicroelectronics adopted by Rohm for Qi automotive wireless charging design — STMicroelectronics — PARTNER NEWS — “One benefit of ST’s technology contribution is to enable the sophisticated control that makes possible the detection of contactless smart cards in proximity to the charging system in order to halt the charging immediately. This important and appreciated function prevents the failure of those cards due to the strong magnetic field generated by the Qi transmitter.”


What's New in Payments

US Secret Service issues ‘chip switch’ card scam warning

Secret Service warns of chip card scheme — Krebs On Security — “The US Secret Service is warning financial institutions about a new scam involving the temporary theft of chip-based debit cards issued to large corporations. In this scheme, the fraudsters intercept new debit cards in the mail and replace the chips on the cards with chips from old cards. When the unsuspecting business receives and activates the modified card, thieves can start draining funds from the account.”


What's New in Payments

Visa reports 66% drop in fraud at US merchants equipped to accept chip cards

Counterfeit fraud at US chip-enabled merchants down 66% — Visa — “With EMV chip transactions continuing to grow in the US, counterfeit fraud volume decreased 66% at chip-enabled merchants in June 2017 compared to June 2015. US financial institutions have issued 462m chip cards to consumers, and 2.5m, or 55% of US storefronts, accept chip cards.”


Transit Ticketing Today

UK government unveils plans for smart ticketing on railways

Connecting people: A strategic vision for rail — Department for Transport — “Our aim for 2018 is that, by the end of the year, both ITSO and barcode tickets will be accepted for travel on almost all of the network… We also expect much of the industry to offer smart cards that can be held in digital ‘wallets’ on mobile phones… We expect in the medium-term wider use of mobile phone-based ticketing, and in the longer-term to explore options that don’t require a physical check of tickets.”


What's New in Payments

Da Vinci develops payment card with built in screen and keyboard

Give your PIN to strangers with this bank card of the future — The Memo — “There’s a new card arriving, designed and created by Simon Hewitt, the former chief security officer of one of Australia’s biggest banking groups… At first glance Da Vinci Choice, as the card’s called, looks no different to any other card in your wallet or purse — thin and plastic-y. Flip it over and the magic begins, because the entire back of the card is a tiny computer, complete with a screen and keypad.”


What's New in Payments

Half of US stores are now equipped to process chip cards

Chip-enabled merchants up; Counterfeit fraud down — Visa — “As of the end of June 2017, 2.3m US merchant locations, 50% of storefronts, are chip enabled. And with more than 449m Visa chip cards in the country, representing 62% of Visa cards, counterfeit fraud has continued to decline — 58% at chip-enabled merchants in March 2017 when compared to March 2016.”



Transit Ticketing Today

Soon, walk into metro station without taking your card from pocket

Soon, walk into metro station without taking your card from pocket — The Times of India — “Chennai Metro Rail Limited has invited tenders to introduce contactless smart cards which can be detected by scanners at stations even if the passenger keeps it in the pocket or a bag. The ticket price will be deducted once the passenger passes by the detector at the entrance to the platforms. These cards may later be used for other modes of transport as well.”