Blockchain Press Releases
Checkout.com launches Intelligent Acceptance, an AI-powered optimization engine that boosts acceptance rates and increases merchant revenue
- Intelligent Acceptance leverages Checkout.com’s global data network and deep domain expertise to increase acceptance rates, lower transaction fees and operational complexity
- False declines are a critical issue for online businesses globally, costing them $51 billion in 2022, a 150% increase in three years
- Early users include Klarna, Ant Group, NordVPN, Reach and Sunday. These businesses reported average increases in acceptance rates that unlocked three-quarters of a billion dollars of revenue in beta alone
LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Checkout.com, the global payments solution provider, today launches Intelligent Acceptance, its latest product to help merchants optimise acceptance rates and grow revenues.
Intelligent Acceptance is an AI-powered optimization engine, trained on billions of transactional data points from Checkout.com’s global network and insights from the business’ domain expertise after a decade at the forefront of the digital economy. The new product has so far achieved meaningful results for merchants during beta testing, enabling transactions that created c.$750 million of new revenue, and increasing the acceptance rates by up to 9.5 percentage points for over 30 merchants including the likes of Klarna, Ant Group, NordVPN, Reach and Sunday.
“Since going live with Intelligent Acceptance, the authorization rate of payments processed on Checkout.com’s rails has increased by nearly 10%. In a game where small improvements drive big impact, this performance improvement is colossal for our business and, crucially, for our client’s bottom line”, said Melissa Pottenger, Head of Key Partnerships at Reach.
“We fundamentally believe in abstracting complexity for businesses and empowering them to optimise their payments with ease. Machine learning enables us to offer this to our merchants for the first time at scale. Merchants alone lack sufficient data to effectively train an AI algorithm, whereas we can leverage our expansive global transaction data to provide real-time insights. That’s why we’ve built an adaptive AI-powered payments engine to constantly optimise acceptance rates – unlocking more revenue, saving merchants time and offering greater cost controls”, said Meron Colbeci, Chief Product Officer at Checkout.com.
Using machine learning and billions of data points to create a solution for businesses
Intelligent Acceptance optimises across the complete payment flow, including pre-processing aspects like messaging & routing and post-processing with adaptive retries. Merchants also have complete control over which stage of the transaction journey is improved and the criteria that Intelligent Acceptance optimises for, including; maximising acceptance rates, lowering transaction costs, or both. Through continuous live adjustments, learning from performance data across Checkout.com’s global network and direct relationships with issuers, schemes and regulators, Intelligent Acceptance continually unlocks new optimizations to deliver incremental performance improvements.
Optimization examples
- Acceptance: Network Tokens can offer better acceptance rates, lower interchange fees and a more secure way to share card information. However, not all issuers adopt this credential-sharing method at the same time. Intelligent Acceptance only utilises Network Tokens if the issuer supports them and the predicted cost is lower, or chance of success is higher, than PAN credentials. Additionally, Intelligent Acceptance will automatically format, amend or add SCA, ISO data and more to ensure payments are formatted to scheme and issuer’s preferences.
- Cost: Intelligent acceptance can also be used to drive down costs by dynamically routing transactions to the network with the lowest fees, in markets where multiple debit, local or global payment networks are available – such as the US.
- Compliance: Intelligent Acceptance instantly identifies if a transaction requires 3DS authentication, and if it has not been triggered in the initial payment request, available 3DS authentication data is automatically added to the payment request to ensure the transaction is compliant.
“Klarna benefits from the improved authorization rates thanks to the adjustments made in the background, which would otherwise result in lost volume. On top of that, Intelligence Acceptance helps to minimise extra payment costs applied by schemes due to the same transaction being processed in a manner which does not fit in issuer preference. Improved acceptance rate resulting in better customer experience, and reduced payment fees are main benefits of the tool”, said Tomer Turbovich, Senior Engineering Manager & Money Movements account group lead at Klarna, a leading online payments provider.
False declines are a $50.7 billion problem for businesses
The launch comes at a time when business leaders seek to drive new revenue and make cost efficiencies across their businesses to reconcile increased operating expenses. Intelligent Acceptance can reduce the number of incorrectly declined transactions through continuous testing, but can be configured to lower transaction fees and reduce operational overheads. Research conducted by Checkout.com alongside Oxford Economics found that $50.7 billion was lost in 2022 due to false declines, where a customer with enough funds in their account has a purchase declined. As a result, close to 25%[1] of consumers abandoned a purchase due to too much friction, resulting in significant lost revenue for merchants.
“Any friction in the payment process can have a detrimental impact on the adoption of the products we offer as we reimagine the consumer experience inside a restaurant. Reducing the likelihood of an early adopting customer having a bad first impression of Sunday is paramount to our success – Checkout.com is reducing the likelihood of this happening”, said Daniel Hosking, VP of Payments at Sunday.
Intelligent Acceptance is the latest solution from Checkout.com’s Payments Plus offering. It follows on from recent launches of Authentication enhancements, customisable virtual and physical cards with Issuing, Fraud Detection Pro to help merchants combat fraud and optimise their revenues and Integrated Platforms, a fully flexible solution to support marketplaces and payfacs in an evolving digital economy.
To learn more about Checkout.com Intelligent Acceptance, visit our website.
- Read the full Klarna, Reach and Sunday case studies here.
- Intelligent Acceptance is now available for all merchants globally.
About Checkout.com
Checkout.com is a global payments solution provider that helps businesses and their communities thrive in the digital economy. Purpose-built with performance, scalability and speed in mind, its modular payments platform is ideal for enterprise businesses looking to seamlessly integrate better payment solutions. Checkout.com is trusted by global businesses like Sony, Wise, GE Healthcare and Shein. With a global team spread across 19 offices worldwide, it offers innovative solutions that flex to your needs, valuable insights that help you get smart about your payments’ performance, and expertise you can count on as you navigate the complexities of an ever-shifting world. Find out more at www.checkout.com.
[1] “EU Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) Mandate Won’t Eliminate Fraud or Need for Fraud Detection“, Payments Journal
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/checkoutcom-launches-intelligent-acceptance-an-ai-powered-optimization-engine-that-boosts-acceptance-rates-and-increases-merchant-revenue-301863475.html
The blockchain universe never sleeps. From pioneering cross-border payment systems in Central America to city-wide crypto strategies in New York City, today’s headlines reveal an industry maturing at breakneck speed. In this edition of Blocks & Headlines, we explore five landmark developments:
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Guatemala’s Banco Industrial integrates blockchain for seamless cross-border remittances.
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NYC Mayor’s Office unveils a comprehensive crypto and blockchain roadmap.
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OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative sign an MOU to launch the OSRH token.
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Bybit’s “Chicken Trader” livestream—crypto meets poultry in the world’s first poultry-powered trading showdown.
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FIFA taps Avalanche to build a dedicated blockchain for its NFT platform.
These stories underscore three key trends reshaping the ecosystem:
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Institutional Adoption & Regulation: From national banks to municipal governments, legacy institutions are embracing decentralized technologies.
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Tokenization & Community Engagement: Strategic partnerships are launching specialized tokens that bridge niche communities with global markets.
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Innovative Use Cases: Whether gaming, entertainment, or live-stream events, blockchain’s versatility spawns ever-more creative applications.
Join us as we unpack the implications, weigh the opportunities, and forecast where these trajectories might lead.
1. Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments
What Happened
Guatemala’s Banco Industrial, the country’s biggest financial institution, announced the deployment of a private‐permissioned blockchain network to streamline remittances from the U.S. into Guatemala City and beyond. The solution reduces settlement times from days to minutes, cuts fees by up to 60 %, and offers real-time traceability for senders and receivers.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
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Financial Inclusion Boost: Remittances account for over 12 % of Guatemala’s GDP. By minimizing friction and cost, blockchain integration will extend financial services to remote communities reliant on diaspora funds.
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Risk & Compliance: Permissioned networks allow Banco Industrial to retain AML/KYC controls, mitigating concerns around illicit flows. This hybrid approach demonstrates that enterprise blockchain can balance decentralization with regulatory rigor.
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Regional Ripple Effects: Neighboring Central American banks are watching closely. Should Guatemala’s pilot succeed, we can expect a domino effect across El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica—each seeking to capitalize on faster, cheaper cross-border rails.
Implications
Legacy banks worldwide should view this as a blueprint: private blockchains can coexist with existing compliance frameworks while delivering transformative user benefits. Early movers will capture remittance market share and cultivate fintech partnerships across the Latin American corridor.
2. NYC Mayor Unveils Ambitious Crypto & Blockchain Agenda
What Happened
New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s multi-pronged strategy to make NYC a global crypto hub. Key initiatives include:
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A regulatory sandbox for crypto startups to pilot DeFi, NFTs, and token-based fundraising under city supervision.
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Partnerships with CUNY and Columbia University for blockchain research and talent development.
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Deployment of a blockchain-based public record system for land titles and business registrations.
Source: GovTech
Analysis & Commentary
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Regulatory Harmony vs. Overreach: By offering a controlled sandbox rather than blanket deregulation, NYC signals a nuanced stance—encouraging innovation without sacrificing consumer protection.
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Talent Pipeline: Academic partnerships aim to remedy the talent shortage plaguing blockchain firms. Local graduates trained in distributed ledger technologies (DLT) will feed startups, financial institutions, and government agencies.
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Public Services on Chain: Land registries and business filings on blockchain promise greater transparency and fraud reduction. If scaled effectively, NYC could set a global standard for government-blockchain integration.
Implications
Other major cities—London, Singapore, Dubai—will feel pressure to match NYC’s playbook. Municipal leaders should prioritize sandbox frameworks and academia-industry liaisons to nurture homegrown crypto ecosystems.
3. OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative Launch OSRH Token
What Happened
OSR Holdings, BCM Europe, and the Taekwondo Cooperative signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the OSRH token, a blockchain-based digital asset aimed at supporting global Taekwondo practitioners. Features include:
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Membership Rewards: Tokens earned through event participation, coaching certifications, and tournament wins.
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Decentralized Governance: Athletes vote on sponsorship allocations and rule-change proposals via on-chain ballots.
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Marketplace Integration: A dedicated NFT marketplace for Taekwondo memorabilia, from digital belts to highlight reels.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Niche Tokenization: OSRH token exemplifies the power of community-focused tokens. By aligning incentives with passion points—training, competition, governance—stakeholders gain ownership and engagement.
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Governance Innovation: Athlete-driven decision-making on sponsorship and funding disrupts top-down federation models. This could democratize sports governance across disciplines.
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Commercial Ecosystem: The NFT marketplace offers monetization channels for athletes and federations alike. Strategic royalties on secondary sales ensure sustainable funding.
Implications
Other sports federations and niche communities should explore token models that blend rewards, governance, and commerce. Successful launches will hinge on clear utility, user education, and regulatory compliance in key jurisdictions.
4. Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown
What Happened
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit debuted “Chicken Trader,” a live-streamed event where two contestants trade crypto pairs—and manage live chickens—to earn “Egg Points.” Viewers can stake on their favorite trader, earning NFTs and token rewards based on performance.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Gamification Meets DeFi: Chicken Trader’s fusion of live-stream engagement, staking mechanics, and NFTs exemplifies Web3’s playful ethos—turning trading into interactive entertainment.
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User Acquisition Strategy: Bybit gamified acquisition funnels, leveraging viral social content to onboard nontraditional crypto audiences intrigued by the novelty factor.
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Regulatory Tightrope: Combining staking with competition and livestock raises jurisdictional questions around gambling, securities, and animal welfare. Bybit must navigate diverse regulations to scale globally.
Implications
Other exchanges will replicate gamified formats to differentiate UX and grow communities. Yet long-term viability demands balancing flashy live-events with rigorous compliance, sustainable tokenomics, and authentic value for participants.
5. FIFA Taps Avalanche to Power Its NFT Platform
What Happened
Global soccer body FIFA selected the Avalanche blockchain to launch its official NFT marketplace, featuring digital collectibles—from World Cup highlights to player-card packs. Avalanche’s high throughput and low fees were cited as decisive factors.
Source: TradingView (via Cointelegraph)
Analysis & Commentary
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Scalability & Sustainability: Avalanche’s consensus mechanism delivers sub-second finality and carbon-offset commitments, aligning with FIFA’s environmental pledges.
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Fan Engagement: Tokenized highlights and limited-edition digital memorabilia expand revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, offering fans verifiable ownership and collectible provenance.
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Interoperability: Avalanche’s growing DeFi ecosystem enables future integrations—staking fan tokens, launching prediction-market games, or embedding NFT rewards in FIFA’s mobile apps.
Implications
Major sports leagues and entertainment brands eyeing NFT forays will scrutinize Avalanche’s performance under FIFA’s global load. Blockchain platforms must prove they can handle spikes during marquee events—kickoff times, finals, transfer windows—while preserving UX and sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Today’s Blocks & Headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Legacy institutions like banks and city governments are unlocking new efficiencies and transparency through private and public DLT networks.
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Community-driven tokens are redefining governance and monetization in sports and niche domains.
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Innovative engagement—from poultry-fueled trading spectacles to global soccer NFTs—demonstrates blockchain’s capacity for gamification, fan loyalty, and novel revenue models.
Yet with opportunity comes responsibility: scalable architectures must coexist with robust compliance; token economies require thoughtful design to sustain value; and regulators, academia, and industry must collaborate to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, governance, entertainment, and sports, stakeholders who embrace strategic partnerships, prioritize user education, and invest in resilient infrastructures will lead the charge into Web3’s next frontier.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 22, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain Press Releases
CM Global Services (CMGS) Secures Exclusive Multi-Year Logistics & Procurement Partnerships with Compass Mining and NovoMod
DENVER, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CM Global Services LLC (CMGS) proudly announces its official designation as the exclusive logistics and procurement partner for Compass Mining Inc. and NovoMod LLC, two leaders in the Bitcoin mining and modular infrastructure sectors. These multi-year partnerships reinforce CMGS’s growing influence as the supply chain backbone powering some of the most advanced digital infrastructure projects in the world.
Founded with a mission to eliminate the bottlenecks and fragmentation that plague traditional supply chains, CMGS is a fully integrated logistics and infrastructure services firm specializing in Bitcoin mining services, data center development, and high-demand electrical infrastructure. From sourcing crypto mining machine parts and network hardware to coordinating the full deployment of large scale sites, CMGS is designed to scale with our clients and move at the speed they need.
For Compass Mining and NovoMod, CMGS serves as more than a vendor; we are an embedded partner, streamlining critical operations and bringing transparency to every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle. Our team leads:
- Global sourcing and procurement of critical components, from power distribution units (PDUs) and switchgear to Ethernet cables, breakers, and enclosures.
- Inbound logistics and Customs navigation, moving sensitive equipment efficiently across Asia, LATAM, and North America on time, on budget, and compliantly.
- Refurbishment and redeployment of crypto mining machines, ensuring optimal uptime, performance, and recovery value from aging or idle equipment.
- Infrastructure buildout support, including on-site coordination, material staging, labor oversight, and final commissioning of modular and large-scale mining sites.
By centralizing sourcing, logistics, testing, and deployment under one roof, CMGS is helping Compass Mining and NovoMod compress timelines, reduce operational overhead, and eliminate costly inefficiencies that historically slowed down crypto mining and infrastructure projects.
While our partnerships with Compass Mining and NovoMod are foundational, CMGS also supports a growing number of mining companies, original equipment manufacturers, and infrastructure developers behind the scenes. Quietly powering the supply chains of both public and private firms across the U.S., LATAM, and Asia. In a market where downtime is costly and speed is currency, CMGS brings industrial discipline, real-world experience, with timely execution.
CMGS covers the full supply chain lifecycle, including:
- Global logistics and freight management
- Strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations
- Crypto mining machine parts sales, sourcing, and testing
- Full-site infrastructure build outs
- Cleaning, repair, and redeployment programs
- Consulting for operational optimization and supply chain resilience
As the digital infrastructure landscape grows more complex, CMGS is positioned to be the silent engine behind the most ambitious operators, ensuring they have what they need, where they need it, exactly when it’s needed.
About CMGS
CM Global Services (CMGS) is a full service logistics and procurement company specializing in Bitcoin mining and high performance computing industries. CMGS helps clients source equipment, manage global freight, deploy infrastructure, and streamline operations across every stage of the supply chain. With a commitment to reliability, speed, and cost efficiency, CMGS enables miners and data center operators to scale smarter.
To learn more about CM Global Services visit cmglobalservices.io
Media Contact
BlocksBridge Consulting
[email protected]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cm-global-services-cmgs-secures-exclusive-multi-year-logistics–procurement-partnerships-with-compass-mining-and-novomod-302462858.html
Blockchain Press Releases
Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown Livestream
DUBAI, UAE, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is taking novel trading challenges to new heights with the announcement of the Chicken Trader special, an unprecedented livestream session where professional crypto traders will have their authority challenged by their own pet chickens.
Scheduled to air on May 23, 2025 at 8AM UTC, the first-of-its-kind spectacle will feature Dylon Lord of Entry, Crypto trader & host at Crypto Banter, and DaviddTechI, Crypto trader & Co-Founder at DaviddTech, two seasoned trading pros whose market fortunes will temporarily rest on the shoulders of their feathered advisors.
Highlights
- Chickens Calling the Shots: Each chicken will peck at different treats representative of various trading options to channel their instruction. Yielding the strategizing power to the beaks of the chickens, both traders will be asked to execute the trading decisions faithfully.
- Live PnL Showdown: The resulting profit and loss (PnL) percentage will be tracked real-time during the livestream—and promises to shock the traders and the audience.
- Predictions and Live Giveaways: The audience will share in a 1,000 USDT prize pool by voting and participating in the red packets giveaway.
The special edition at Bybit Live is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Participants should be mindful of the risks associated with crypto trading.
No animals are harmed in the process. Terms and conditions and usual disclaimers apply. The not-to-be-missed battle will go live on May 23, and users may subscribe to upcoming session on Bybit Live.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-presents-chicken-trader-the-worlds-first-poultry-powered-trading-showdown-livestream-302463077.html
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