N.C. Turnpike Authority is partnering with Volvo Car USA, Mastercard, Microsoft, RedHat and Cognizant to pilot an in-vehicle toll payment system in North Carolina. This pilot program will enable enrolled Volvo car owners to link their car’s vehicle identification number to a payment method, allowing automatic payments to be processed as soon as the customer’s car drives through a tolled section of roadway. This technology can be expanded to other vehicle original equipment manufacturers and other tolling agencies in the future. In-vehicle payment has the potential to change the way we experience several industries, such as fast food, car washes and parking. Together, Volvo Car USA, Mastercard and the NCTA are innovating the way drivers interact with vehicles and payment systems. This pilot will involve up to 100 participants that drive a Volvo with Google built-in infotainment systems and will begin in late 2025. This pilot is a crucial first step towards Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, allowing drivers’ vehicles to pay tolls automatically through its infotainment system. The pilot eliminates the need for traditional toll transponders and improves the ease of use of all N.C. Turnpike toll roads.
Remitly has launched Remitly One, a $9.99 monthly subscription that offers benefits such as instant access to Flex cash advances, cashback, rewards, and a digital debit card, alongside the release of new products like Remitly Flex, a “send now, pay later” interest-free cash advance designed for urgent cross-border transfers, and Remitly Wallet, a digital wallet available to all users that will support multicurrency holdings including fiat and USDC stablecoins through a partnership with Circle. The stablecoin integration will enable instant value transfers, reduce liquidity friction, and give customers the option to hold savings in U.S. dollars. The membership model targets different customer segments, with Flex appealing to paycheck-to-paycheck users and wallet services attracting globally mobile customers. The company may benefit from an upcoming 1% U.S. tax on physical remittances, which could accelerate digital adoption. Analysts from KeyBank and William Blair view the initiatives positively, citing new revenue streams from subscriptions, interchange, and customer balances, though the membership fee was slightly higher than expected; Remitly’s stock was rated Buy/Outperform. Unlike its shuttered “Passbook” digital bank initiative, the company is now focused on vertically integrating essential financial services closely aligned with its customers’ needs, aiming to boost engagement, retention, and acquisition while strengthening long-term growth.