News

Bitcoin
Bitcoin Daily: Ether Hits Record $44K; McDonald’s Debuts McRib NFTs; Kazakhstan Crypto Miners Could Bring...
October 31, 2021

Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, hit a new high above $4,400 on Friday (Oct. 29), Bloomberg writes. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily...

Global Payments
Cross-Border Payments Platform Tranglo Moves Into Mongolia
October 31, 2021

Cross-border payment hub Tranglo is bringing its services to Mongolia, with an eye on improving payments there, crowdfundraiser.com reported. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe...

Retail
Halloween Is Back — and Is Bigger Than Ever
October 30, 2021

Blame the Celts of ancient Europe. They devised the devilishly delightful holiday we celebrate as Halloween — ‘All Hallows Eve’ if you’re some kind of purist — and thousands of years later, here in 2021, the weirdest, most sugary day of the year is about to...

IPO
Bitcoin Miners, Neobanks File to Bring Shares Public
October 29, 2021

In evidence that the digital age has fully ensnared Wall Street, recent listings announcements — across special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and traditional initial public offerings (IPOs) — have been marked by companies fully entrenched in the far-flung realms of digital banking and cryptocurrencies. Get...

IPO
Electric Vehicle Maker Rivian Drives Toward IPO With Amazon Owning 20%
October 29, 2021

Electric truck maker Rivian is moving toward an initial public offering (IPO) supported by early backer Amazon, which has a 20% stake, according to multiple reports. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS...

Retail
Today in Retail: Amazon Says Labor Shortfall Holding Back Capacity; Chip Shortage Keeps Getting Worse
October 29, 2021

In today’s top retail news, Amazon says its inability to hire enough workers is hampering its capacity to fulfill orders efficiently, while the global semiconductor shortage is still getting worse almost a year into the crisis. Also, Skechers says supply chain issues will likely persist...

Retail
Hybrid Robot/Human Picking Can Ease eGrocers’ Labor Challenges
October 29, 2021

Online grocery has come a long way in the past 20 months, but as adoption grew more quickly than anyone could have anticipated in early 2020, the limitations of the leading fulfillment methods became increasingly clear. Findings from PYMNTS’ report, The Bring-It-to-Me Economy, created in...

Partnerships / Acquisitions
Pawn Shop FirstCash Closes $1.17B Deal for First Finance to Drive BNPL
October 29, 2021

Global pawn shop FirstCash is closing a deal to acquire the virtual lease-to-own firm American First Finance (AFF) to make traction in the buy now pay later (BNPL) space, according to a press release. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

IPO
Furniture Retailer Arhaus Prepares for $2.3B IPO
October 29, 2021

The home furnishings retailer Arhaus has launched its initial public offering (IPO), which could raise $355 million and value the Ohio company at $2.3 billion, according to published reports. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...