Today In Payments Around The World: Amazon Rolls Out IP Accelerator In Canada; Chinese Companies List In US At Record Rate

In today’s top payments news around the world, Amazon is rolling out an IP Accelerator in Canada, while Chinese firms are listing on U.S. exchanges at a record rate. Plus, JD.com has been paying some of its staffers in digital currency.

Amazon Launches IP Accelerator in Canada to Help Small Businesses Secure a Trademark and Protect Their Brands

Amazon announced that a new initiative in Canada would help link small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with law firms to safeguard their brands. According to a press release, the Intellectual Property Accelerator would make “it easier and more cost-effective (for SMBs) to obtain trademarks, protect their brands and tackle infringing goods both in Amazon’s stores and the broader marketplace.”

Chinese Firms Listing In US At 8x Clip Over 2020

Chinese firms are listing on American exchanges at a record clip. U.S. initial public offerings (IPO) this year have brought in $6.6 billion for firms from Mainland China and Hong Kong. Other largest years for Chinese firms conducting IPOs in the U.S. have included 2018, 2014, 2011, 2007 and 2001.

JD.com Pays Some Salaried Workers With Digital Currency

JD.com, the large Chinese eCommerce company, has been paying some of its staffers in cryptocurrency for the last few months. JD made the revelation this weekend when unveiling its participation in the Digital Currency Electronic Payment — or DCEP — one-year trial show at the Digital China Summit.

UK’s Darktrace Faces Reality: Cuts Valuation For Pending IPO

Darktrace will be reducing the valuer of its upcoming United Kingdom flotation. Darktrace and its advisors are now eyeing a valuation more in the range of £2.4 billion (approximately $3.3 billion) to £2.7 billion (approximately $3.75 billion) for the company for the company, according to a published report. Darktrace was established in 2013 and works with artificial intelligence to see out hazards to IT systems. The firms says it can track hazards in real time while developing a plan for how to respond.