Today in B2B payments, ShelfNow rolls out a blockchain integration, while Kemitt expands its eCommerce offering. Plus, VerifyMe acquires Periship, BuyHive brings its third-party sourcing platform to the United States and United Kingdom, new market expansion is helped with payments orchestration, The Knot adds cryptocurrency to its wedding registries and Swvl Holdings acquires Volt Lines.
B2B Online Marketplace ShelfNow Gets Blockchain Integration
B2B online marketplace ShelfNow has launched a blockchain integration across its intelligent platform, in partnership with New Zealand software company Trackgood, to create what the company said is the world’s first blockchain-enabled marketplace. The integration of blockchain promotes transparency, sustainability, accountability and ethical operations, as buyers can see those involved in the supply chain by scanning a QR code on their smartphones. Available documents include counterfeit-proof images of the production process, profiles of those involved, quality certificates, lot numbers and travel documents.
Kemitt Expands Egyptian eCommerce Offering With B2B Platform
Egyptian eCommerce startup Kemitt has unveiled a B2B platform as part of its ongoing diversification beyond its B2C offering. The Kemitt online marketplace connects product and furniture designers with consumers by handling the manufacturing, overhead and last-mile logistics for those companies. Customers have access to more than 30,000 SKUs with an on-demand manufacturing option and seven- to 12-day delivery services.
ID Verification Firm VerifyMe Acquires PeriShip for $10.5M
Identity verification provider VerifyMe has acquired logistics firm PeriShip for $10.5 million. PeriShip provides shipping and logistics management for perishable foods and healthcare companies. VerifyMe is paying $7.5 million for the firm’s assets, plus $1 million in common stock and a $2 million promissory note. PeriShip’s services include time and temperature-sensitive parcel management, predictive analysis and last-mile resolution.
B2B Sourcing Platform BuyHive Launches in US, UK
Hong Kong-based B2B global sourcing platform BuyHive has launched local operations in markets in the U.S. and U.K. BuyHive hopes to support the sourcing and procurement needs for a fast-growing base of third-party sellers. The company recently debuted its global Expert Sourcing Network, which lets American and European sellers hire local experts in all major Asian countries for their sourcing.
Payments Orchestration Smooths Expansion Into New B2B Markets
PYMNTS research shows that international eCommerce merchants stand a better chance of converting cross-border shoppers when they offer a wider selection of payment options, according to the “Cross-Border Enterprise Payments Innovation Playbook,” a PYMNTS and Payoneer collaboration. Digital platforms too are working to expand their cross-border payments capabilities in part because doing so can help boost the added value they can offer to merchants that use their platforms to reach customers abroad.
The Knot CFO Says Couples Asking for Crypto as a Gift but Not Using It to Pay
On the registry offered by digital wedding-planner leader The Knot Worldwide, couples can register for a blender, an experience — or cryptocurrency. That’s one of the changes the company has seen as it serves couples and wedding vendors. Across its different brands, The Knot Worldwide offers couples access to 700,000 local wedding vendors in 16 countries.
Swvl Acquires Turkish Mass Transit Provider Volt Lines
Tech-enabled mass transit provider Swvl Holdings Corp. has acquired Turkish B2B and Transport-as-a-Service mobility platform Volt Lines, continuing a flurry of deals that includes adding controlling stakes in Shotl, Viapool and door2door. Swvl’s acquisition of Volt Lines is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. Volt gives corporate clients across Turkey an alternative to public transportation and ride hailing via smartly routed shared buses through a monthly subscription. It works with more than 110 companies across the region.
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