Core Insights - Global Payments has launched the industry's first modular countertop point-of-sale device, enhancing flexibility, durability, and speed for retail and restaurant environments [1][18] - The new device is designed to scale with businesses of all sizes, from small retailers to multi-location enterprises, based on direct input from merchants and partners [2][3] Product Features - The device includes a dual screen premium checkout option, providing a superior experience with both merchant and customer screens, and is optimized for various environments [6][7] - It features enterprise-grade modularity with configurations such as a countertop stand, customer-facing display, and wall mount, along with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities [7] - The device is designed for speed, utilizing a best-in-class processor for frictionless transactions, and has a minimalist design with a 15.6-inch merchant display [7] - It is built to withstand various conditions, offering IP43 ingress protection against spills, humidity, and dust [7] Market Rollout - The commercial rollout in the U.S. will begin in December for enterprise customers, followed by small businesses in the first quarter of 2026 [8]

Core Insights - Bitcoin is moving closer to becoming a mainstream currency with new payment capabilities introduced by Block for merchants [2][3] Company Developments - Block has launched a bitcoin payment feature for 4 million merchants through Square, allowing instant settlement and no transaction fees until 2027 [2] - The new platform was first demonstrated at Compass Coffee in Washington, D.C., and aims to make bitcoin payments as seamless as card payments [3] - Merchants can convert a portion of their daily card sales into bitcoin, providing increased flexibility and exposure to cryptocurrency [3] Payment Flexibility - Sellers can accept payments in various configurations: bitcoin to bitcoin, bitcoin to fiat, fiat to bitcoin, or fiat to fiat [4] - The Square Bitcoin feature utilizes the Bitcoin Lightning Network for rapid transaction settlement and low fees, reducing credit card processing costs [4] Strategic Direction - Block is shifting its identity from a small merchant enabler to a comprehensive business operating platform that integrates commerce, customer relationships, and financial services [5] - Recent innovations also include bitcoin mining hardware and software, as well as a Cash App feature to locate global merchants accepting bitcoin [5]

Core Viewpoint - Visa and Mastercard have reached a proposed settlement in a long-standing legal battle with merchants, which aims to reduce interchange fees and provide more flexibility in payment acceptance, pending court approval [2][3][5]. Summary by Sections Settlement Details - The settlement, announced on November 10, still requires approval from the Eastern District Court of New York and would conclude a case that began in 2005 regarding alleged collusion to violate U.S. monopoly laws through interchange fees [2]. - Visa and Mastercard will reduce interchange fees, typically set at 2% to 2.5%, by 0.1 percentage points for five years under this agreement [3]. Merchant Benefits - Merchants will have the option to choose whether to accept U.S. cards in specific categories, including commercial cards and premium consumer cards, with standard consumer rates capped at 1.25% [4]. - The settlement includes a "merchant education program" aimed at helping merchants manage payment acceptance and costs [5]. Reactions and Concerns - Mastercard emphasized that smaller merchants would benefit from more acceptance choices, reduced costs, and simplified rules, enhancing the overall payments experience [6]. - However, the Merchants Payments Coalition criticized the fee reduction as "minuscule" and expressed concerns that Visa and Mastercard could raise fees again after the temporary cuts expire, highlighting that merchants have limited choices regarding rewards cards, which constitute 85% of all issued cards [7].

Payments firm Block is enabling no-fee Bitcoin payments for sellers worldwide via Square's point-of-sale platform. https://t.co/3aEg7jGJOR ...

Core Insights - Wall Street sentiment towards Mastercard is improving, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, projecting EPS of $16.41 and $19.05 respectively, indicating year-over-year growth of 12.4% and 16.1% [1][5] - The company has consistently outperformed EPS estimates over the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.1%, and revenue forecasts for 2025 and 2026 are $32.6 billion and $36.7 billion, reflecting growth rates of 15.7% and 12.7% [2][5] Financial Performance - Despite positive estimates, Mastercard shares fell 1.3% in the past month, compared to a 4.3% decline in the broader industry, while peers like American Express saw a 14.1% increase [3] - Mastercard's gross dollar volume (GDV) grew by 8.3% in the first nine months of 2025, following 10.2% growth in 2023 and 8.2% in 2024 [9][11] - Value-added services revenue surged 21.4% year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2025, contributing significantly to overall growth [5][14] Market Position and Strategy - Mastercard is currently trading below its average analyst price target of $658.65, suggesting a potential upside of 19% from current levels [7] - The company is focusing on expansion in emerging markets, particularly Southeast Asia and Latin America, which present significant opportunities for financial inclusion [15] - Mastercard is integrating digital currencies into its network through partnerships, positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset economy [16][17] Valuation and Costs - Mastercard's forward P/E ratio stands at 29.55X, above the industry average of 20.64X, reflecting its superior growth and innovation [18] - Adjusted operating expenses have increased significantly, with a rise of 10.5% in 2023, 11% in 2024, and 14.4% in the first nine months of 2025 [20] Regulatory Environment - Regulatory challenges are a concern, with recent rulings in the UK and accusations in the US regarding competitive practices potentially impacting revenue growth [21][22] - The company has also faced scrutiny over corporate governance, evidenced by a settlement related to workplace pay bias [23]

Core Insights - Paystand has acquired Bitwage to enhance its business-to-business payments network by integrating stablecoin capabilities for cross-border payments [1][2] - The acquisition aims to facilitate enterprise-level settlement and improve liquidity management for corporate entities [2][4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Paystand purchased Bitwage, which specializes in cross-border payments using stablecoins, serving over 90,000 payment recipients and 4,500 businesses [1] - The combined network has processed over $20 billion in payment volume for more than 1,000 enterprises [2] Group 2: Technological Integration - The integration will provide an API-driven payout engine supporting Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin (BTC), and local currencies in around 200 nations [3] - This technology will enhance Paystand's accounts receivable and accounts payable network for quicker cross-border settlements [3] Group 3: Operational Benefits - The merger allows CFOs to move liquidity between corporate entities and regions within minutes, thanks to 24/7 stablecoin settlement [4] - The combined offering will streamline mass payouts, foreign-exchange handling, and vendor disbursements, unifying global order-to-cash and procure-to-pay workflows [5] Group 4: Market Positioning - Paystand aims to connect stablecoin rails to the $100 trillion B2B economy, providing faster settlement, lower costs, and programmable treasury solutions [6] - The integration of Bitwage's services will begin immediately for selected enterprise customers, with plans for gradual expansion [6]

Core Insights - Pelican Bay Capital Management (PBCM) reported a 7.8% return for its Concentrated Value Strategy in Q3 2025, outperforming the Russell 1000 Value Index which returned 5.3% during the same period [1] - Year-to-date, PBCM's fund returned 11.2%, slightly below the index's 11.6% return [1] Company Overview: Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY) - Corpay, Inc. is a payment company focused on managing vehicle-related expenses for businesses and consumers [2] - As of November 7, 2025, Corpay's stock closed at $276.53, with a market capitalization of $19.527 billion [2] - The company experienced a one-month return of -2.12% and a 52-week decline of 25.89% [2] Performance and Market Conditions - Corpay's decline is attributed to investor concerns regarding labor market weakness affecting its corporate payments business and pressure from a significant drop in U.S. freight volumes impacting its truck-fleet fuel card business [3] - Despite these challenges, PBCM views the current industry weakness as an investment opportunity in the segment leader [3] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Corpay reported a 14% growth in both revenue and cash EPS [4] - The company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 42 hedge fund portfolios holding its shares at the end of Q2 2025, up from 40 in the previous quarter [4]

Q3 2025 Financial Performance - Kaspi.kz's Total Payment Value (TPV) increased by 18% year-over-year (YoY)[10] - Kaspi.kz's Revenue increased by 10% YoY[10] - Kaspi.kz's Net Income increased by 12% YoY[10] Marketplace Platform Growth - Marketplace purchases increased by 36% YoY in 3Q'25[93] - Excluding smartphones, Marketplace Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) increased by 20% YoY[96] - e-Commerce GMV increased by 25% YoY excluding smartphones[99] Fintech Platform Performance - Total Finance Value (TFV) increased by 16% YoY[114] - Average net loan portfolio increased by 30% YoY[117] - Deposits increased by 18% YoY[117] - Fintech revenue increased by 24% YoY adjusting for higher interest rates[122] Hepsiburada Performance - Hepsiburada purchases increased by 16% in 3Q'25[64, 128] - Hepsiburada GMV increased by 15% in 3Q'25[131] - Hepsiburada revenue increased by 22% YoY[134]

Funding Overview - Top crypto projects raised approximately $764.9 million last week [1] - Ripple led fundraising with $500 million, focusing on payments [1] Sector Focus - Payments sector attracted significant funding, with Ripple raising $500 million and Arx Research raising $6.1 million [1] - Infrastructure projects also saw substantial investment, including Commonware ($25 million), Arx Research ($6.1 million), and Harmonic ($6 million) [1] - Cross-chain solutions and trading apps garnered attention, with fomo raising $17 million and Sprinter raising $5.2 million [1] Ecosystem Diversity - Multiple blockchain ecosystems are represented, including BTC, BNB, and SOL [1] - Lending platforms and DeFi protocols continue to attract investment, with Lava raising $200 million [1] - Stablecoin projects like Standard Money, focused on the BNB ecosystem, secured $8 million [1] Project Categories - Payments: Ripple ($500 million), Arx Research ($6.1 million) [1] - Infrastructure: Commonware ($25 million), Harmonic ($6 million) [1] - Cross-Chain: fomo ($17 million), Sprinter ($5.2 million) [1]

Core Insights - Kaspi.kz reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase and a 12% net income increase for 3Q 2025, with underlying revenue and net income growth of 23% and 21% respectively when excluding smartphone GMV and regulatory changes [2][3] - The company anticipates a net income growth of 10-12% YoY for 2025, with underlying growth expected to be around 18-20% YoY, excluding smartphone GMV and regulatory impacts [3] Financial Performance - For 3Q 2025, total revenue increased by 20% YoY, while net income rose by 12% YoY; for the first nine months of 2025, revenue and net income both increased by 20% and 14% YoY respectively [2] - Monthly Transactions per Active Consumer stood at 76, indicating strong customer engagement [2] - Payments segment saw a total payment volume (TPV) increase of 18% YoY in 3Q 2025, with transactions up 14% YoY; for 9M 2025, TPV and transactions increased by 21% and 15% YoY respectively [2] Marketplace and E-Commerce - Marketplace revenue growth significantly outpaced GMV growth, with purchases up 36% YoY in both 3Q and 9M 2025; revenue increased by 24% YoY in 3Q 2025, while GMV grew by 12% [2] - Excluding smartphone GMV, Marketplace GMV increased by 20% and 21% YoY in 3Q and 9M 2025, with revenue growth of 32% and 34% respectively [2] - e-Grocery GMV grew by 53% YoY in 3Q 2025, showcasing rapid growth in this segment [2] Advertising and Innovation - Advertising revenue surged by 56% and 76% YoY in 3Q and 9M 2025, respectively, driven by new advertising services for merchants [2] - The company is set to roll out Kaspi Alaqan, a pay-by-palm innovation, in 4Q 2025, aimed at enhancing customer value [2] Strategic Developments - Kaspi.kz has integrated with six banks in Kazakhstan and expanded its partnerships with O!Bank in Kyrgyzstan and AliPay+ [2] - The company is working on acquiring Rabobank A.Ş. and has announced a modest share capital increase expected to raise approximately $100 million [3] - A $100 million ADS repurchase program has been initiated, reflecting the company's strong cash generation capacity and long-term growth prospects [3]