Today In Payments Around The World: IBM Buys Canadian Firm Expertus Technologies; GoJek Unveils GoBiz Plus System For Merchants

In today’s top payments news around the world, IBM has bought Canada-based Expertus Technologies, while Gojek is rolling out its new GoBiz Plus point-of-sale (POS) offering. Plus, Bridgetown Holdings is reportedly thinking about a deal with Tokopedia.

IBM Acquires Canadian FinTech Expertus

IBM has purchased Expertus Technologies, which is based in Canada, according to an announcement, in an effort to strengthen its hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in addition to its online payment strategies. The Canadian company works in cloud services for the financial sector with more than 1,000 credit unions, banks, businesses and regulatory agencies.

Gojek Debuts POS System for Indonesian Merchants That Accepts Cashless Payments

Southeast Asian super-app operator Gojek is launching its new GoBiz Plus point-of-sale (POS) technology for all-in-one-purposes for micro in addition to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Indonesia. The technology, which is a collaboration with PT Bank Central Asia, functions as a supplement to the GoBiz retailer super app. Gojek’s apps have reportedly received hundreds of millions of downloads as of June 2020.

Bridgetown SPAC Considering $10 Billion Indonesian Tokopedia Deal

Bridgetown Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is reportedly mulling a deal with Tokopedia, the Indonesian online shopping company. A decision has not reportedly been reached as to whether the arrangement between Bridgetown Holdings and Tokopedia should be pursued. Combining with a blank-check company has become an increasingly popular way for closely held companies to raise capital for expansion.

EU Releases First Drafts for Digital Services, Digital Markets Acts

The European Commission unveiled comprehensive new rules for digital services that would cover social media, digital marketplaces and other platforms, providing first drafts of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) to the public. “The two proposals serve one purpose: to make sure that we, as users, have access to a wide choice of safe products and services online,” Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president of Europe fit for the Digital Age, said in the announcement.

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