Sweden completes Phase 2 CBDC studies
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The Riksbank completes phase 2 e-krona trials
Sveriges Riksbank has announced the completion of the technical phase 2 trials for its CBDC after starting the project in the spring of 2017. During phase 2, issues such as offline function, performance and integration with external participants will be reviewed and conclusions from this phase will be reviewed. published 2022.
Mithra Sundberg, head of the e-krona at the Riksbank, says: “In phase 3, we will begin to formulate a basis for the requirements for an e-krona if a decision is made to issue it. All the tests, analyzes and examinations carried out will form the basis for this work. We will also benefit from experience from the rapid international development that is now taking place in this area. “
Although phase 2 is complete, the central bank reports that it will conduct other technical tests to learn more and has therefore extended its contract with Accenture until February 2022.
Danish BNPL player ViaBill raises $ 120 million in equity and debt
The Danish buy now pay later (BNPL) company ViaBill announced that they are raising equity and a debt of 120 million dollars in a round led by London-based Fasanara Capital. ViaBill, which is supported by international venture capital Headline and Blackfin, can be used online, in-store and is currently available in Denmark, Spain and the USA.
Jan Lytje-Hansen, CEO and co-founder of ViaBill, said: “While other major Buy Now Pay Later players such as Klarna, AfterPay and Affirm have successfully infiltrated the online payment space, there is a shortage of BNPL solutions that support brick and mortar stores.”
Lytje-Hansen continued: “It will be interesting to see if offline BNPL will disrupt the payment mechanisms as quickly as we have seen in the online space.”
Qred expands to Norway
The Swedish company Qred has expanded to Norway. The company, which has already expanded to Sweden, Finland and Denmark, provides a number of financing solutions for small businesses. Qred will also act as a financial agent for Nordiska Financial Partner AS.
Emil Sunvisson, CEO of Qred, commented: “The big banks have for far too long failed to serve small companies in Norway. As we have seen time and time again, small businesses have no or very few options when it comes to financing to help grow their business. ”
The partnership between Verifone and ReceiptHero is expanding throughout the Nordic region
Finnish ReceiptHero and Verifone have announced a further expansion of their partnership across the Nordic market, and now provide services in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
Chris Moore, COO ReceiptHero said: “By partnering with ReceiptHero, Verifone strives to drive digital receipts for further use in the Nordics and hopes that the effect of eliminating paper receipts can provide an enhanced customer experience.”
Surfboard Payments introduces the payment app
The Swedish company Surfboard Payments introduced its pay-to-pay app Surfapp at a launch event this week and will be launched in the spring of 2022.
In addition, Surfboard Payments announced that they accepted as a participating organization in the PCI Security Standards Council.