C|C Payments Blog

Payments News Update -- June 26, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: Tariff Pressure Takes Aim at Payment Equipment Once Again  Digital Transactions News – June 20, 2019 While legislators and regulators focused much of their attention on the Facebook-backed Libra cryptocurrency this week, tariffs on Chinese-made goods re-emerged in Washington as a threat that could raise prices for merchants and merchant acquirers. The...

Payments News Update -- June 19, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: A Court Ruling May Affect Acquirers’ Ability to Pass Along Data-Breach Fines to Merchants Digital Transactions News – June 12, 2019 A common assumption among merchant acquirers and retailers is that merchants are the ones who ultimately are liable for network fines after a merchant’s data breach. But a recent decision by a federal appellate court that ruled...

Payments News Update -- June 12, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments Banks Warn EU Rules Will Scupper a Quarter of Online Payments Financial Times – June 12, 2019 Europe’s big banks have warned that more than a quarter of online payments will be impossible to complete from September because of a lack of preparedness for new EU anti-fraud rules and have “urgently” requested more time to adapt. In a letter seen by the Financial Times,...

Payments News Update -- June 5, 2019

Industry Developments SPOTLIGHT: Is It Enough? Digital Transactions Magazine – June 1, 2019 For Mastercard and Visa chargeback process changes to make the most impact on friendly fraud, merchants will have to take matters into their own hands. About a year ago, Visa Inc. rolled out a new initiative to update, modernize, and streamline chargeback procedures and the dispute-management process. Later in the...

The First Blockchain Antitrust Case. Or Is It?

Legal professionals paying close attention to the still nascent world of blockchains and cyptocurrencies are following what is considered to be the first antitrust case involving cryptocurrencies. For enthusiasts, United American Corp. v. Bitmain, Inc. involves the self-described inventor of bitcoin on one side, the operator of bitcoin.com on the other side, the world’s largest mining pools, and the Bitcoin Cash...

Payments News Update -- May 29, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: Financial Institutions Conflicted but Cautiously Optimistic About Open Banking Opportunity The Fintech Times – May 29, 2019 Open banking was launched to spur innovation in the financial services industry and create a better deal for consumers. But new research published today by open banking platform Tink reveals that European financial institutions still have...

Payments News Update -- May 22, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: U.S. May Follow Philly and New Jersey to Ban Cashless Businesses WHYY – May 20, 2019 Earlier this year, Philly and New Jersey passed laws banning cashless businesses, restaurants and retail shops where customers can only pay with plastic or their phones. Now, two Democrats in Congress want the country to follow suit. New Jersey U.S. Rep. Donald Payne,...

Apple v. Pepper: Supreme Court Rejects Attempt to Block Consumer Claims Under Indirect-Purchaser Rule

The Supreme Court issued a much-anticipated decision in the Apple v. Pepper case, where iPhone owners are accusing Apple of monopolizing the retail market for iOS applications, or apps. The Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, holding that iPhone owners have standing to pursue a claim for damages against Apple under the federal antitrust laws.  The decision has significant implications in terms of both the...

Payments News Update -- May 15, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: Supreme Court Says Apple Will Have to Face App Store Monopoly LawsuitDebit Dynamics The Verge – May 13, 2019 (click here for the Court's opinion) The Supreme Court is letting an antitrust lawsuit against Apple proceed, and it’s rejected Apple’s argument that iOS App Store users aren’t really its customers. The Supreme Court upheld the Ninth Circuit Court of...

Payments News Update -- May 8, 2019

Legal and Regulatory Developments SPOTLIGHT: Debit Dynamics Digital Transactions News – May 1, 2019 Merchants have said it before, and they’re saying it again: It’s high time the Federal Reserve lowers its regulated debit card interchange rate. The call by the Retail Industry Leaders Association came shortly after the Fed in March released its latest study of debit card revenues and expenses. The...