In today’s top Europe, Middle East and Africa news, Turkish delivery startup Getir is set to buy U.K. rival Weezy, and Circle uses USDC to invest $10.5M in U.K.-based Crowdcube. Plus, the Italian Antitrust Authority fines Amazon and Apple over $225 million, Klarna introduces Pay Now and Klarna card in the U.S., and Stripe offers its terminal to U.K. and EU businesses.
Delivery Startup Getir to Buy UK’s Weezy Amid Major Consolidation Moves in Ultrafast Grocery Market
The ultrafast grocery delivery market in Europe is buzzing with consolidation moves as companies look to mergers and acquisitions, a strategy to remain competitive in the quickly growing space.
On Tuesday (Nov. 23), Turkish startup Getir, which specializes in 10-minute delivery, agreed to acquire British rival Weezy as part of its plans to further expand into the U.K.
Circle Uses USDC to Make $10.5M Investment in UK Crowdfunding Platform Crowdcube
Boston-based stablecoin firm Circle Internet Financial announced on Tuesday (Nov. 23) that it is leading U.K. firm Crowdcube’s $13.5 million funding round with an investment of $10.5 million.
Launched in 2013, the payment services company is the principal operator of dollar digital currency USDC and startup funding platform SeedInvest.
Italian Antitrust Authority Fines Amazon and Apple $225M+
Italy’s antitrust authority fined Amazon.com and Apple, Inc. more than 200 million euros ($225 million) for alleged anti-competitive cooperation related to the sales of Apple and Beats products, according to a Reuters report Tuesday (Nov. 23).
A 2018 deal between Amazon and Apple meant the companies limited which resellers could sell Apple and Beats products on Amazon.it, according to Italian Competition Authority officials, noting that the arrangement violated European Union rules and affected competition on prices. Both companies plan to appeal the fines.
Klarna Introduces Pay Now and Klarna Card in US
Global retail bank and buy now, pay later (BNPL) specialist Klarna is introducing its Pay Now option to its suite of U.S. payment services, along with the upcoming launch of its Klarna Card to the U.S. market, which brings its interest-free Pay in 4 services to a physical card format.
Best known for its Pay in 4 services in the U.S., Klarna also offers several payments and shopping solutions worldwide.
Lydia App Users Can Now Trade Crypto Assets on Bitpanda
Vienna-based crypto exchange Bitpanda has joined forces with French mobile financial services platform Lydia to give Lydia’s more than 5 million users access to trade digital assets on Bitpanda’s crypto exchange, according to a Monday (Nov. 22) Bitpanda announcement.
The joint effort enables Lydia users to invest in more than 170 crypto assets, according to a CoinDesk report.
Stripe Offers Its Terminal to UK, EU Businesses
The payments infrastructure FinTech Stripe has made its Terminals available in five European countries, offering customers a physical version of its digital service.
According to a company news release, companies like Shopify, Taxi.de and Indy Cinema Group are using Terminal to provide in-person payments for shoppers in Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the U.K.
Germany Taps Trulioo to Offer Age Verification Services for Minors
Global identity verification firm Trulioo is providing age verification solutions in Germany to verify users trying to gain access to restricted content, according to a press release on Tuesday (Nov. 23).
Germany’s Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz (KJM) — the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media — assessed Trulioo’s identity verification solution and determined that it met the directives of the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV).
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