Insights Archive

November 15, 2021

Sweden Calls For EU-Wide Bitcoin Mining Ban

As the popularity of cryptocurrencies drives intensive mining of coins such as Bitcoin, regulators are weighing in the potential ecological risks associated with the booming product. Latest in the line is Sweden, which has called out for an EU-wide mining ban on Bitcoin due to environmental concerns; however, it is questionable whether such a ban could have an effective impact on the global scale.

November 15, 2021

Klarna Launches In Ireland And Says It Welcomes Regulation Of BNPL

As Klarna rolls out buy now, pay later (BNPL) services in Ireland and gives positive nods towards regulation of the industry, VIXIO discusses the Swedish company's wider market strategy as it develops any time, any where instalment credit. We also assess its claims that consumers are shifting away from credit cards.

November 15, 2021

Philippine Online Boss Linked To Narcotics In New Report

A licensed foreign-facing online gambling operator in the Philippines is allegedly linked to the drug trade and is a business partner of an alleged former meth lab boss close to President Rodrigo Duterte, according to a consortium media report.

November 15, 2021

Arkansas Weighs Change To Allow Mobile Sports Betting

The Arkansas Gaming Commission on Thursday will consider a proposed rule change that would allow mobile sports betting through the state’s licensed casinos.

November 15, 2021

Children Cannot Avoid Gambling-Like Mechanics In Games, Says Research

Danish regulator research on gambling addiction has found microtransactions made by children on video games such as FIFA often replicate gambling mechanics.

November 12, 2021

Crypto Cowboys: Wyoming Wants To Be Pioneer On Virtual Currency Wagering

With an economy based largely on cattle, oil and mining, policymakers in Wyoming have grabbed the attention of gaming operators, attorneys and payment processors after becoming the first state to regulate the use of cryptocurrency for wagering on sporting events.

November 12, 2021

Week In Brief - November 12, 2021

A short roundup of some of the week's payments news you may have missed. This week we look at Daimler's new payments solution, UK consumers' struggle to get APP fraud refunds and a pioneer Austrian crypto tax bill. We also report on BNPL regulatory changes in New Zealand and Australia, Egypt's efforts to regulate instant payments and the latest news on the EU's digital euro project.

November 12, 2021

EBA Makes New SCA Clarifications

The EU’s banking watchdog has listed two new Q&As regarding strong customer authentication (SCA), focusing on the travel sector and knowledge possession.

November 12, 2021

EU Crowdfunding Regulation Brings New Opportunities For Eastern European Start-Ups

A new EU regulation that entered into force a few days ago is expected to boost cross-border crowdfunding services, removing obstacles that have held back start-ups, particularly in smaller Eastern European markets, from effectively raising funds from the public.

November 12, 2021

Casino Giants Putting For Sale Signs On Las Vegas Resorts

The Las Vegas casino market is set to enter 2022 looking very different to the start of the year as MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment prepare to offload properties and inexpensive capital, and the prominent role of real-estate investment trusts encourage merger and acquisition activity.

November 12, 2021

US, Brazil Or Bust For Affiliates

Instead of leaning on eye-catching revenue predictions, affiliates now need to be active in either the Latin American or US markets if they want to be attractive acquisition assets, sector executives have said.

November 12, 2021

Some German States Will Wait On Casino Games Licensing, Attorney Says

While some German states are planning licensing programmes for online table games and others support monopolies, a third group may simply procrastinate, a Germany gambling lawyer has said.

November 12, 2021

Disney Eyes Greater Presence In U.S. Sports-Betting Market

The CEO of Disney has confirmed the company is looking for a greater presence in the sports-betting business, a reversal from its long-held position of avoiding any association with gambling.

November 12, 2021

News In Brief: November 8-November 12, 2021

Curaçao-licensed companies are barred from Dutch online trade group and a politically active online skill company is raided by tax officials in India.

November 11, 2021

CBDC Consultation Incoming, Confirms UK Treasury

The Bank of England (BoE) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) will be opening a consultation on the possibility of a UK central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2022, the UK’s finance minister has confirmed, while outlining a possible timeline for the project.

November 11, 2021

Bafin’s ’Aggressive’ Stance Won’t Kill Off N26

N26 has had a less than perfect year dealing with Germany’s financial watchdog, yet payments experts believe that regulatory action will not have a long term effect on the Berlin-headquartered neobank.

November 11, 2021

Small Businesses Continue To Accept Cash

Most of the UK's small businesses are happy to accept cash and they would never turn a customer away who needs to pay in cash, research commissioned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found.

November 11, 2021

Binance Changes Catch-Me-If-You-Can Approach Amid International Claim

Victims of the Binance account freeze are facing new challenges to gain redress as the crypto exchange has no headquarters. Meanwhile, the crypto trading platform has realised it has grown too big to avoid the sight of regulators and is seeking a payments license.<br />

November 11, 2021

Blockchain Ensures Gambling Crypto Funds Are Cleaner Than Cash, Says Panel

Regulators hoping to unlock the payment and responsible gambling benefits of blockchain technology should develop frameworks to accept digital currencies attached to digital identity, according to a panel of experts.

November 11, 2021

Affiliates Love Regulation, But Can't Quite Quit Grey Markets

Major affiliates say they love the stability of regulation and the protection it gives them from being short-changed by operators, but some are still happy to do significant grey market business.

November 11, 2021

Election Results, Internet Sunset Problematic For New Jersey Casinos

Even “Saturday Night Live” is making jokes about how a truck driver spent a grand total of $153 on his campaign but still managed to defeat the New Jersey Senate president in the November 2 election.