Today In Payments: Altimeter SPAC To Take Grab Public; Coinbase First-Quarter Earnings Blow Past Last Year

In today’s top news, Grab could finalize a blank-check merger with Altimeter Capital this week, and Coinbase reported stellar earnings for the first quarter of 2021. Plus, Clubhouse is reportedly mulling a funding round that could value it at $4 billion.

Altimeter SPAC Taking Grab Public In Mega New York Listing

After mulling going public for some time, Singapore’s ride-hailing super app Grab is close to finalizing a blank-check merger with Altimeter Capital. The deal, which would list Grab in New York, would value Southeast Asia’s most valuable startup at $35 billion.

Coinbase First-Quarter Earnings Blow Past Last Year

Coinbase, preparing to go public next week on Nasdaq, posted first-quarter 2021 estimated net income of $730 million to $800 million on revenue of $1.8 billion, up from $322 million on revenue of $1.3 billion in 2020.

Clubhouse Rolls Out Payments, Mulls Funding At $4B Valuation

Audio-based social media platform Clubhouse unveiled its first monetization feature for creators on Monday (April 5), allowing users to send and receive payments. Reports surfaced later in the day that Clubhouse is also looking at a possible fundraising round at a valuation of around $4 billion, showing the sky-high expectations investors have for the app.

Facebook Pay Tests Use Of Personalized QR Codes

Facebook Pay is testing the use of person-to-person QR code payments, allowing users to instantly transfer money with a simple scan. By scanning QR codes or following personalized payments links, users can send secure money transfers to friends and family on the Facebook Pay carousel.

Report: Delegated Authentication Puts Merchants In The SCA Driver’s Seat

The EU’s strong customer authentication (SCA) mandate aims to help the region’s businesses curtail fraud, but many merchants find it can also cost them customers if too much friction is involved. In the Authenticated Payments Report, Nicole Jass, senior vice president of product at FIS, explains how delegated authentication allows businesses to take control of SCA compliance and help merchants deliver smoother customer experiences.

Digital-First Firms Must Take Page From FinTech Payments Playbook

As the digital-first economy accelerates, firms have to be user-centric and technology-friendly. As WEX Director of Business Solutions Alex Limerick told PYMNTS, the increased pressure to maintain payments operations in a time of crisis makes it a good time to steal some pages from the FinTech playbook.

BigTech, OEMs Rev Up Connected Cars’ Future

Google, Ford, GM, Amazon and Apple. The list of big companies lining up to play in the connected car space will guarantee a mix of technology and maximum consumer awareness. Which firms are actually going to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to building a relationship with the consumer?