The program lets customers use facial and fingerprint biometrics to pay for purchases in-store—but they’re not sold on the tech yet.

The payments firm partnered with FTX and launched a new API service aimed at attracting crypto firms.

For example, in November 2021, Western Union unveiled its shopping platform WU Shop in Germany and Austria (with additional rollouts planned), helping to advance its digital business. Last year, MoneyGram launched “MoneyGram as a Service,” its payment as a service product, which could generate more volume and overall revenues for the company. 

Zip has performed well: In 2021, the firm posted $5.8 billion in volume (+176% annually), with 7.3 million shoppers (+248% annually), per its annual report. It also more than doubled its retail partners to reach over 51,000 merchants worldwide. Sezzle’s network—which boasted $1.6 billion in sales, 3.2 million customers, and 44,400 merchants as of Q3 2021—could substantially elevate its positioning.

For example, many local ecommerce giants in the region are tipping into a network of local mom and pop stores as fulfillment and payment collection centers. Innovative payment options, like buy now, pay later, are also important in overcoming the relatively low spending power in emerging economies.