The Star Online: Business
The Star Online: Business |
- DiGi partners CIMB to launch payment solution
- Bitcoin goes mainstream with ATM in Vancouver
- KLCI up, blue chips lift
| DiGi partners CIMB to launch payment solution Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd has partnered CIMB Bank to launch a new mobile card payment solution to further empower DiGi's growing base of small and medium enterprise (SME) and enterprise customers. The service, Plug n Pay, utilises mobile payments solution designed by Soft Space Sdn Bhd. It paves the way for DiGi to enable credit and debit card payment facilities on the go for such customers with a full-packaged mobile Point-of-Sale (mPOS) plan that includes a pocket-size EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) card reader, an Android device and data services. The latest service by DiGi is the country's first ever mobile cards payment system. It will provide consumers with additional avenue to pay with their credit or debit card, reducing the risk of cash transactions. It is also in line with the central bank's vision for Malaysia to be a cashless society. "This new innovation offers fast, easy and secure payment platform leveraging on mobile connectivity. "We believe that mobile Internet empowers societies and is a powerful catalyst for businesses," DiGi chief marketing officer Albern Murty said. "This is reflective of our continued effort to bring relevant services that help business customers harness the power of the Internet for improved efficiencies and growth while benefiting their respective customers," he added. The Plug n Pay mPOS service plan comes with a full-packaged Android device and EMV card reader for RM715 and a monthly commitment of RM20. Customers have the flexibility to upgrade devices and Internet plan in addition to the option to bundle voice services, depending on their needs. With mPOS, customers and merchants have the peace of mind using a secured card acceptance service provided by CIMB Bank and convenience riding on Visa and Mastercard payment platforms. Merchants will be able to accept payments and use the service at any location where there is 2G, 3G or 4G connectivity. mPOS is a technology innovation by Soft Space, a Malaysian payment platform and service provider. |
| Bitcoin goes mainstream with ATM in Vancouver Posted: VANCOUVER: A silver-and-blue ATM, perched up next to the espresso bar in a trendy Vancouver coffee shop, could launch a new era for the digital currency bitcoin, offering an almost instant way to exchange the world's leading virtual money for cash. The value of a bitcoin soared from US$13 in January to a high of $266 in April as more businesses and consumers used them to buy and sell online. Some investors are also treating bitcoins like gold, using them to hedge against currency fluctuations and speculating on their rise. The kiosk, which looks like the average ATM but with hand and barcode scanners, opened for business on Tuesday, and by mid-morning people were lined up to swap their bitcoins for cash, or to deposit cash to buy more bitcoins. "It's as easy as walking up to a machine, scanning your hand, entering some cash and buying bitcoin," said Jordan Kelley, chief executive of Las Vegas-based Robocoin, the company that builds the ATMs. "With this, it's a two-minute process. For any online exchange, it's at least two days." Bitcoins, currently worth about US$210 each, can be transferred without going through banks or clearing houses, thereby cutting fees. Users can buy products and services online or in a handful of stores, including the Waves coffee shop where the ATM is. With the bitcoin ATM, users scan their hand to confirm identity, then funds move to or from a virtual wallet on their smartphone. The system limits transfers to US$1,000 a day, in an effort to curb money laundering and other fraud. Bitcoiniacs, the local dealer that operates the ATM, will roll out four other kiosks across Canada in December. Robocoin said Canada was the ideal place to launch the kiosk due to a critical mass of users and less stringent oversight than in the US, where the bitcoin trade is monitored by anti-money laundering regulators. "We think the Vancouver market is enormous and we're excited to be here," said Kelley. "By the end 2013, we'll be all over Canada. By the end of 2014, we'll be all over the world, including the United States." Bitcoin is not a recognised currency in Canada, so Ottawa's anti-money laundering watchdog, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre, does not monitor its trade. Still Bitcoiniacs' founders say they are working with the agency to be ready for when Canada does start regulating them. "We're already being proactive in our business," said Bitcoiniacs co-founder Mitchell Demeter. "We abide by any guidelines they would impose - which includes the 'know you customer' laws and anti-money laundering laws." GOING MAINSTREAM Bitcoins were launched in 2008 and are traded within a global network of computers. They are not backed by a single company or government, but their release is tightly controlled, mimicking a central banking system's control over the minting of money. Bitcoins can be bought with near anonymity, which supporters say lowers fraud risk and increases privacy. But critics say that also makes bitcoins a magnet for drug transactions, money-laundering and other illegal activities. The currency's reputation took a hit this month, when US regulators shut down Silk Road, an online marketplace used to buy and sell illegal drugs, and seized US$3.6mil in bitcoins. But the virtual currency is gaining hold among businesses and consumers, a key step to a bigger role. "I think it's definitely going mainstream," said Demeter. "I think as things progress, and the infrastructure is built, it will become easier for people to buy and sell, and so more people will start using it." In Vancouver, for example, dozens of people attend weekly bitcoin meet-ups and a member co-op is promoting the currency to a growing list of local retailers. At Waves, Vancouver resident Chung Cheong used bitcoin to pay for his mug of tea and was happy to mull over the future of the digital currency. "It's been said that we're at the stage where email was in 1992," he said. "Is it risky? Sure. But look at how the Internet and email changed the world" – Reuters. |
| Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI kicked off Wednesday's early session higher, up nearly two points as investors perked up, mirroring the firmer global sentiment. At 9.18am, the KLCI was up 1.65 points to 1,817.30. Turnover was 135.91 million valued at RM65.45mil. There were 228 gainers, 61 decliners while 181 counters were unchanged. HwangDBS Vickers Research said with external sentiment on the rise, the local bourse could get a lift. "The benchmark FBM KLCI may climb to challenge the immediate resistance barrier of 1,825 ahead," it said. HwangDBS said stocks of interest today would be YTL Corporation and YTL Power, after the group is actively looking to acquire infrastructure assets in Johor; CMMT and Tropicana, following the scrapping of a deal by CMMT to buy a shopping mall and an office tower in Petaling Jaya from Tropicana; and Sarawak Cable, which has been awarded contracts valued at RM619mil to undertake power transmission line projects in Sarawak. Reuters reported Asian share markets should take heart from record highs in US stocks on Wednesday as investors wager the Federal Reserve will rock no boats at its policy meeting and leave stimulus in place for the next few months at least. At Bursa Malaysia. PetDag rose 40 sen to RM31.30, United Plantations 28 sen to RM26.98 and PetGas 24 sen to RM25.54. GAB rose 22 sen to RM17.10 and UMW 10 sen to RM13.10. Decliners were Lafarge Malaysia, down 25 sen to RM9.85, PPB Group 18 sen to RM14.62 and Tune Insurance, down five sen to RM1.91. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Business News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan