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Viewpoint: Think Twice About Going Cashless
Even now, after the chaos caused by India's decision last November to eliminate nearly 90 percent of its banknotes, few people would argue with the policy's underlying assumption: Going cashless is, if handled well, a good thing. Yet the fact is, most arguments in favor of demonetization don't stand up to scrutiny. And those that do should raise other concerns.
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- Technology
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State Bank of Pakistan approves launch of the country’s first free mobile wallet service
Mobile payment app SimSim became Pakistan’s first free mobile wallet service after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) approved the official launch of the service – a move the company said would boost financial inclusion in the country.
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- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Can digital credit work for development?
The rise of digital banking means that people around the world can now borrow, save or pay with their mobile phones. Digital credit providers are using alternative sources of data to determine creditworthiness and provide loans to populations that have never had access to them before.
But while these products offer a convenient way for consumers to access cash for personal or business expenses, they also present risks. If borrowers do not understand the loan terms, or take out more than they are able to repay, the result can be bankruptcy.- Categories
- Technology
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MetLife Foundation Is Proud to Present Its 2016 Annual Report
When MetLife Foundation launched our financial inclusion strategy in 2013, the financial inclusion industry was beginning to show that a well-coordinated global effort could produce impressive results. We saw that more than 2 billion people lacked access to formal financial services. But we also saw how steadily that gap was being closed.
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Omise to raise $19M in first cryptocurrency sale from a major VC-backed startup
Kik has raised over $120 million from investors to date and it claims 300 million registered users, making it the most established company to throw its hat in the ICO ring thus far, but it is about to be beaten to the punch by Omise, a Thailand-based company that provides Stripe-like payment features in Japan and Southeast Asia.
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- Technology
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For India’s mobile wallet players, it’s survival of the fittest, not the fastest
"We have doubled in last seven months," says Upasana Taku, cofounder of the Gurgaon-based firm, which claims to have 55 million users and over 1.5 million merchants. We have a field force of thousand people, each acquiring 10 merchants every day, claims Taku.
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- South Asia
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- digital payments, fintech
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Four Ways Digital Finance Can Prepare for the Next Wave of Mobile Money Disruption
The mobile money and agent banking markets of the developing world are due for disruption, so digital finance providers should start preparing. A new research paper from the Helix Institute of Digital Finance offers tips on preparing for the new wave, plus some advice: Focus on data, "the common denominator and foundation for all financial technology companies."
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- Technology
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Indians are using mobile wallets more but for smaller purchases
As the Indian economy recovers, mobile wallet payments are continuing to accelerate. Their transaction value of over $3.6 billion in the first quarter of 2017 marked a 60% increase from the previous quarter, according to a new report from RedSeer Management Consulting.
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- Technology
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- South Asia