Apple’s new proprietary wireless standard, SPR AVS, is designed to optimize audio, video, and sensor data transmission across devices. SPR AVS is designed to replace or augment legacy protocols like Bluetooth and AirPlay in specific contexts. It is tightly integrated with Apple’s C1X modem and A19 Pro chip, enabling ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth communication between iPhones, AirPods, Vision Pro, and other Apple devices. Key advantages of SPR AVS include ultra-low latency, lossless audio support, multi-device sync, dynamic bandwidth allocation, secure peer-to-peer relay, and sensor fusion integration. It is a foundational protocol for Apple’s spatial computing ecosystem, particularly as Vision Pro and AirPods Pro 3 become more integrated with iPhone. It is designed for context-aware, multi-sensory experiences that require tight coordination between devices.
Authentica’s AI-native supply chain administration platform securely ingests emails and shipping documents and backs every automated step with real-world evidence of their shipments, verifying identity, origin, and condition at every stage
Authentica has launched an AI-native supply chain administration platform that provides deep-tier visibility and automates compliance and risk management for buyers and importers. The platform not only predicts supply chain risk but also removes it, providing proof to regulators, buyers, lenders, and insurers. Authentica eliminates manual data entry by securely ingesting emails and shipping documents, and specializes in procurement, compliance, and certification agents. The platform has safeguards to keep people in the loop and maintain a clear audit trail of agent actions. Authentica also helps customers manage product testing, shipment inspections, and audits, with a partnership with Control Union and molecular testing solutions from Index Bio. Customers can also access new financial products, including the world’s first product authentication warranty covering up to 100% of a shipment’s value, developed in collaboration with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Amex and UPS offer SMBs tiered shipping savings via Business Savings Suite across air, ground and international; timed for the holiday peak season
UPS and American Express are rolling out new and exclusive offers to support SMBs. UPS Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer Matt Guffey. “UPS is making strategic investments in areas important to SMBs like industry-leading service, flexible returns and seamless integration with our end-to-end smart logistics network. We know what it takes to help small businesses be unstoppable, and our collaboration with American Express is the perfect extension.” Ahead of the busy holiday season, merchants can access exclusive savings from UPS via American Express’ Business Savings Suite. Savings span UPS air, ground and international shipping options and allow SMBs to save more as they ship more with UPS. Colleen Taylor, President of U.S. Merchant Services at American Express. “During the critical holiday season, when every transaction counts, small businesses often rely on credit cards to manage cash flow, stock inventory, and meet surging demand – all while looking for the best way to get their shipments where they need to go. That’s why Amex and UPS are teaming up to support small businesses during this make-or-break time of year.”
Mastercard, NCR Atleos and ITCARD partner to offer contactless cash withdrawal at ATMs that involves verifying a cardholder’s identity using a mobile device without the need for physical wallet, plastic card or PIN
Thanks to Mastercard in collaboration with NCR Atleos and ITCARD, cash can be securely withdrawn – and other services accessed – using your phone—no PIN required. Multiple countries in Europe including Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Austria have already deployed contactless ATMs. However, when using their mobile phone, the cardholder is asked to enter their PIN in addition to authenticating themselves via mobile wallet using biometrics. This creates unnecessary friction. The Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) streamlines this process, verifying a cardholder’s identity using a mobile device for contactless payments. The consumer authenticates themselves on their phone before tapping the ATM to start their transaction thereby streamlining interactions at the ATM—no physical wallet, plastic card or PIN required. CDCVM aligns the user experience across devices, reducing the need for verification of both CDCVM and online PIN on a single ATM transaction for a truly digital-first experience. Contactless ATM transactions using CDCVM are on average over 20% faster than those requiring PIN, according to initial testing by Mastercard. Johan Gerber, EVP, Head of Security Solutions at Mastercard said “By enabling biometric mobile authentication at ATMs, we are redefining the consumer experience, simplifying it without sacrificing security.
Koah embeds native, context-aware ads directly inside AI chat flows and personalizes them based on historical conversation data and surfacing at the exact moment of user inquiry
Koah, the monetization platform for Gen AI chat apps, has announced its public launch after operating in stealth since January 2025, with $5+ million in seed funding. Koah is the first advertising platform designed specifically for conversational AI, offering GenAI businesses a powerful way to earn revenue by embedding contextual ads directly inside AI chat conversations. Powered by Forerunner, South Park Commons, and AppLovin cofounder Andrew Karam, Koah solves the gap by embedding native, context-aware ads directly inside AI chat flows. Personalized based on historical conversation data and LLMs, brands can surface their offerings at the exact moment of user inquiry. Koah provides a lightweight SDK that integrates in under a day, allowing developers to access an instant, scalable revenue stream without disrupting user experience. Early Gen AI chat app partners earned an average of $10,000 in their first 30 days with Koah. After six months in the market, Koah reached an audience of over 80 million through the company’s range of consumer AI publishers.
Uber and Pipe embed working capital in Uber Eats Manager for US restaurants, using revenue underwriting to deliver pre approved multi draw advances with flexible repayments
Fintech Pipe and Uber announced a strategic relationship that will provide hundreds of thousands of restaurants in the US access to working capital. Through this relationship, eligible restaurants across the US will have access to Pipe Capital through Uber Eats Manager, the Uber platform that merchants use to monitor, manage, and grow their businesses. For eligible merchants, Uber Eats will show capital offers from Pipe in Uber Eats Manager that are customized based on restaurant revenue, cash flow, and business performance. By assessing risk through its cutting-edge underwriting engine, Pipe is able to offer personalized, pre-approved capital offers with transparent and up-front pricing. Uber selected Pipe for its merchant-friendly solution that provides capital offers that are designed specifically for small businesses, with a multi-draw advance, transparent terms, and flexible payments that adjust to meet the performance of their business. Pipe has a dedicated merchant support team, ensuring the entire process is both straightforward and easy to navigate. “Working with Uber, Pipe is able to move fast to understand the needs of these restaurants and deliver capital where traditional banks have failed,” said Luke Voiles, CEO of Pipe.” Pipe Capital can provide SMBs access to custom capital options in just a few clicks, inside the same applications they’re using to manage their business. Instead of requiring credit checks, personal guarantees or extensive documentation, capital offers are based solely on historical business performance and cash flow.
PayPal debuts one time, private PayPal Links for fast P2P requests and payments across texts and DMs; links will support crypto next
PayPal is introducing PayPal Links, a new way for people to send money to one another through peer-to-peer (p2p) payments made via personalized, one-time links. PayPal Me links are not payment requests tied to a specific amount — at least until the receiver inputs how much they plan to pay. PayPal Me links were only used to get paid. The new PayPal Links, however, allow customers to either request or make a payment to another person by selecting the link option, inputting the amount, and then copying the link into a conversation. This makes the feature more useful for one-time payments or requests directly with another person without needing to identify and verify their profile or account information. As a result, there are fewer steps involved, making the payments faster. In addition, PayPal links will soon be able to support crypto in the U.S. To create a PayPal Link, users open the PayPal app and enter the details of the payment or request to generate a unique, one-time link. This link is private and is associated with just that transaction. These PayPal Links can then be used in online conversations, texts, and DMs where money, costs, and purchases are being discussed. Any unclaimed links expire after 10 days, though users can send out a reminder or cancel the payment link at any time, if needed. The recipient taps the link to complete the request or to accept the payment in the PayPal app, where funds are transferred instantly.
Apple Pay adds in‑store Affirm: approved users can split eligible purchases into biweekly or monthly payments from 0% to 36% APR on iPhone.
Consumers can now access Affirm’s payment options when making in-store purchases with Apple Pay on iPhone in the United States. The move marks an expansion of a capability that was already available when checking out with Apple Pay online and in-apps, Affirm said. “This gives Apple Pay users in the U.S. added flexibility and transparency at even more checkouts,” Vishal Kapoor, senior vice president of product at Affirm, said. Affirm enables approved customers to split eligible purchases into biweekly or monthly payments, at rates ranging from 0% to 36% APR. The company said the ability to access loan offers from eligible credit or debit cards, including from pay-over-time providers like Affirm, when making an Apple Pay purchase in person with an iPhone would give users greater flexibility and choice.
American Express debuts an all‑in‑one travel app that unifies inspiration, planning, booking, and rewards to cut tab overload and streamline trip management.
For decades, American Express has been synonymous with premium service and trusted advice. Now, with the launch of its first-ever dedicated travel app, the brand is aiming to bring that same reliability to the palm of your hand. By consolidating inspiration, planning, booking, and rewards into one seamless digital platform, Amex is addressing one of the most frustrating realities of modern travel: too many tabs, too little time. The new app integrates the company’s reputation for reliability with a modern user interface. Features at launch include destination guides, themed travel content, planning tools that allow users to build and save itineraries, and booking capabilities for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Importantly, cardholder benefits are embedded directly in the booking process, making it easy to maximize value without hopping across platforms. The app will evolve with additional features such as interactive hotel recommendations, blending data-driven personalization with Amex’s longstanding human touch. The app is also designed to support Amex’s own servicing teams. By streamlining booking and embedding benefits, the tool reduces call volume and allows representatives to focus on higher-value interactions. The result is a win-win: travelers get a smoother digital journey, and Amex strengthens its service efficiency. By positioning itself as a reliable, all-in-one hub, Amex is addressing both the psychological and practical needs of this segment. American Express is betting that the combination of digital-first convenience, embedded rewards, and trusted recommendations will resonate with travelers across generations—especially those who are already spending hours online searching for their next adventure.
Visa launches global framework unifying fraud and disputes for both acquirers and merchants; merchants above 2.2% disputes pay $8 each, threshold drops to 1.5% in April 2026.
Visa has launched its updated Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP), introducing a unified global framework for fraud and dispute monitoring designed to strengthen compliance and safeguard the payments ecosystem. By consolidating fraud and dispute oversight for both acquirers and merchants, VAMP has been positioned as a pivotal development in the fight against payment fraud. Under the new framework, merchants whose disputed transactions have exceeded 2.2% – whether fraudulent or not have been subjected to penalties of $8 per dispute, with the threshold set to be reduced to 1.5% from April 2026. In parallel, merchants whose transactions have included more than 20% enumeration attacks – fraudulent test purchases made with stolen card details – have been brought under the scope of enforcement, regardless of transaction value. The introduction of VAMP has signalled a fundamental shift for merchants, who have been faced with increased compliance obligations, heightened cost pressures, and the potential risk of being restricted from accepting Visa payments. “With VAMP, Visa compels merchants to get on the front foot with fraud. If they don’t, they may find themselves hit with additional fees or even blocked from accepting Visa payments altogether. No merchant wants to find themselves unable to accept Visa payments, which make up almost 40% of global card transactions. Maintaining low fraud rates is not just a cost-control or compliance issue; it’s a business-critical priority. Merchants can’t afford to sit back. VAMP is here, and the impact will be felt across customer experience, operations and revenue,” said Martin Sweeney, CEO of Ravelin.