In today’s top Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) news, Germany’s Delivery Hero predicts a positive 2021 revenue outlook; Mode, a U.K. FinTech, joins forces with PayEscape to test a bitcoin payroll offering; the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and others sign a digital trade financing pact; London-based InsurTech Nimbla says embedding within more platforms is key to boosting its U.K. customer base; and Airbnb debuts its gift card service in the U.K.
Germany’s Delivery Hero Predicts Rosy Revenue Forecast
Germany’s Delivery Hero says its 2021 revenue outlook is positive, as the online food delivery service reaps the benefits of investing in food delivery and quick commerce. The announcement comes amid a consolidation wave in the home delivery sector, which has boomed during the pandemic.
Mode Joins Forces With PayEscape to Test First Bitcoin Payroll Offering in UK
London-based FinTech Mode is teaming with U.K. payroll service PayEscape to launch a trial of the first bitcoin payroll offering in the U.K. The internal pilot program will run during the rest of this year and the beginning of 2022.
Monetary Authority of Singapore and UAE Sign Digital Trade Financing Pact
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) have announced the completion of a cross-border digital trade financing pilot. The collaboration also includes commercial partners DBS Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.
Embedding Nimbla Within More Platforms Holds the Key to Boosting UK Customer Base
Nimbla Founder and CEO Flemming Bengtsen tells PYMNTS that embedding digital solutions for trade credit insurance onto more platforms could throw a needed lifeline to small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) struggling to collect debts in the wake of the pandemic. Since its launch in 2016, the company has processed close to 70 million invoices, and it has seen demand triple amid the uncertainty created by the pandemic.
Airbnb’s Digital Gift Card May Ease Payments Frictions for UK Customers
Home-sharing giant Airbnb is tapping into a surge in popularity of loyalty programs ahead of the festive season, announcing the debut of its gift card service in the U.K. Digital gift cards purchased in the U.K. can only be redeemed by users living there. Recipients can spend the card value on any stay, in-person or online experience around the world. To further entice customers, the company has stated that funds on a gift card added to an Airbnb account will not expire.