InComm Payments Launches Digital Gift Card Mall

Digital Gift Cards

InComm Payments has launched a digital gift card mall that allows customers to choose and send a variety of gift cards via email, the payments technology company announced on Thursday (April 29).

TheGiftCardShop.com will feature cards from more than 100 brands, from Visa, Mastercard and American Express to retailers such as Macy’s, GameStop, Lowe’s and Darden Restaurants. Gift givers can choose to give between $5 and $500 cards, accentuated with designs to fit the occasion and personalized messages. InComm aims to offer delivery of physical cards in the mail by the end of the year.

The company said in a news release that its research found that online gift card purchases increased, in some cases by as much as 22 percent for network-branded cards — a trend that coincided with a greater consumer focus on eCommerce. In addition, the study found that 44 percent of gift card buyers are more interested in giving or getting digital cards than before.

The COVID-19 pandemic has helped fuel the popularity of digital gift cards. Their profile was rising before the outbreak began, but then the coronavirus increased their use among holiday shoppers in 2020.

As PYMNTS reported last year, Blackhawk Network found that more than 52 percent of shoppers had bought or received a digital gift card. Younger shoppers were more likely to be interested in getting digital gift cards, with 55 percent of millennials showing interest in giving them and 67 percent hoping to receive one.

Customers who purchase Mastercard, American Express or Visa gift cards through InComm’s mall will be able to load them into a mobile wallet such as Google or Apple Pay, allowing recipients to use them for contactless payments. The mobile wallet platforms use a token service that authorizes each transaction with a unique one-time security code.

To learn more about how gift cards have made their way into the digital-first economy, read PYMNTS’ March interview with  Blackhawk Network’s Jayson Berg.


Binance Tops PYMNTS’ Provider Rankings of US Cryptocurrency Apps

Cryptocurrency apps in the U.S. have surged in popularity due to factors such as the potential for profit, low transaction fees, and increasing user accessibility. These platforms allow users to trade cryptocurrencies easily, offering a decentralized, peer-to-peer model that reduces reliance on traditional financial institutions.

The ability to buy low and sell high has attracted investors seeking financial gains, while lower fees compared to traditional payment methods make these apps more appealing for online transactions. The increased acceptance of cryptocurrencies by businesses, along with advancements in blockchain technology, security, ease of use, and high liquidity, is fueling the belief that crypto could shape the future of finance.

PYMNTS’ Provider Rankings of Cryptocurrency Apps evaluate the performance of leading platforms based on factors such as user experience, transaction volume, security features and customer service. By analyzing consumer preferences and industry trends, these rankings provide insights into which apps are best meeting the needs of cryptocurrency users, and highlighting the platforms that offer the most reliable, user-friendly and innovative services.

The Top 5

No. 1 is Binance with 98 points.

Founded in 2017, Binance offers a range of services for new and experienced investors. The platform supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, including popular options like bitcoin and ethereum, along with niche altcoins. This variety, combined with high liquidity, ensures users can quickly execute transactions with minimal price slippage.

A key feature of Binance is its competitive fee structure, which includes discounts for paying with Binance Coin (BNB), making it attractive for frequent traders. The platform also provides advanced trading tools, such as charting and real-time data, and offers margin and futures trading. Its user-friendly interface, including a mobile app, makes it accessible to traders of all experience levels.

Security is a top priority for Binance, with multi-signature wallets, two-factor authentication (2FA), and a Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) protecting funds and personal information. Binance also offers staking, lending and savings options for passive income, appealing to long-term investors.

No. 2 is Bybit with 91 points.

Bybit is accessible in over 180 countries and offers an intuitive mobile app that provides most of the desktop version’s features, making it convenient for users to manage their crypto investments anywhere. With access to more than 1,200 cryptocurrencies, Bybit allows users to buy, sell, and trade with ease, while offering up to 100x leverage for experienced traders looking to maximize potential profits.

Additionally, Bybit offers Bybit Earn, a feature that allows users to earn interest on their cryptocurrency holdings. This range of services and tools caters to beginner and experienced traders, making it a popular choice in the crypto space.

Tied for second with 91 points is Crypto.com.

Based in Singapore, Crypto.com offers a wide range of services including an app, exchange, DeFi wallet, and NFT marketplace, providing access to over 350 cryptocurrencies. The Crypto.com app allows users to buy, sell and track cryptocurrencies with more than 20 fiat currencies, offering features like price alerts, recurring buys, and TWAP bots to optimize trading. Users can also earn interest on their holdings, spend crypto through the Crypto.com Visa Card, and receive up to 5% cash back on purchases.

For more advanced traders, Crypto.com’s exchange supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, with spot, margin and derivatives trading options. It offers low fees and discounts for those who stake its native token, CRO. The platform also includes automated trading bots and emphasizes security with 2FA.

KuCoin and Coinbase round out the top five with 83 and 76 points, respectively.

Nos. 6-10

Checking in tied at No. 6 with 74 points is HTX and OKX.

Nos. 8-10 comprise MEXC, Blockchain.com, and BTCC with 65, 62, and 54 points, respectively.