Today is Tuesday, June 7 and it’s rather shocking that books are still being banned — but The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood did something about it by creating a fire-proof version of her often-outlawed dystopian tale. That burn-proof version could get $100,000 at Sotheby’s auction on Wednesday (June 8), with proceeds benefitting PEN America, a literary and free expression organization. From July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, U.S. school districts banned 1,586 books, per a PEN report. Here’s what else should be on your radar this morning.
Digital Dollar Outrage. Rob Hunter, director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs and deputy general counsel of The Clearing House (TCH), the bank-owned operator of the RTP network, told Karen Webster that a central bank digital currency (CBDC) will devastate the core underpinnings of the banking industry and the economy. READ MORE
BNPL Redux. The current economic times point to a sharp course correction in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) market, Nandan Sheth, CEO of Splitit, told PYMNTS’ Karen Webster. He is anticipating there will be much consolidation and not all providers will survive. READ MORE
Digital Banking in Europe. Card issuing platform Marqeta is partnering with global money transfer giant Western Union to advance a new digital banking platform in Europe. Western Union’s digital banking platform offers a real-time multi-currency digital wallet, and with Maqeta’s card issuing platform, customers can have funds paid out to a physical or virtual Visa card. READ MORE
Future of Identity. In the June edition of the Alternative Payments Tracker®, PYMNTS explores how organizations utilize technology to help verify the identities of those with whom they do business. It also explores the regulatory requirements that will shape the future of how those technologies are deployed. READ MORE
ICYMI. People are dropping retail and streaming subscriptions as inflation takes bigger chunks of paychecks for everyday necessities like gas, food, and lodging. With lockdowns no longer keeping people at home, subscriptions are often the first budget item people slash — but brands with higher engagement are finding they are surviving the cuts. READ MORE
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