PYMNTS

Today in Payments for April 11, 2025: Get all the details from today’s top trending stories, exclusively on PYMNTS! 1️⃣ FinTech IPO Index Surges Nearly 14%, Driven by Crypto and BNPL Momentum https://hubs.ly/Q03g_R030 2️⃣ Europe Signals ‘No Compromise’ on Trade, Prepares Counter-Tariffs on US Tech https://hubs.ly/Q03g_Ctk0 3️⃣ Dogecoin Foundation Teams With 21Shares to Launch Crypto ETPs https://hubs.ly/Q03g_YRn0

America isn't so unhappy after all—perspective changes everything. Here's What's Now today, April 11. 🏆 Despite gloomy headlines, the U.S. actually wins two "Most Happy Awards" when compared properly—outranking both the European Union and other global superpowers in the latest World Happiness Report. 📊 American happiness hasn't declined since 2021 despite media narratives, with the U.S. score virtually unchanged at 6.724 compared to last year's 6.725. 🌺 Individual states tell a different story than national rankings, with a previous study finding Hawaii and eight other U.S. states outranking Finland—the supposed "happiest country" for eight straight years. Should we be measuring happiness by country, or is the comparison fundamentally flawed? Full story on PYMNTS: https://hubs.ly/Q03h0CLn0

If you’re happy and you know it…you probably live in Finland. For the 8th year in a row the Fins have been the first country across the Finnish line (pardon the pun but I couldn’t resist) in the World Happiness Report.    In a week that started with tariffs putting the heat on businesses and consumers across the globe, and ended in a 90 day freeze, it might be a nice break to read David Evans’ POV on Gallup’s annual report https://lnkd.in/eA-nVxzA   Below are some additional worthwhile reading and viewing materials from the past week, and I hope you all have terrific weekends :)    ► Play some pinball. A few days before levers were pulled on a freeze, I wrote a piece using PYMNTS Intelligence data about what the tariffs and a possible recession have in common with an fashioned arcade game: https://lnkd.in/enDrsCMB    ► Off the fringe. Jonathan Levin & I spoke about the push for a federal framework around stablecoins, and why it's so important for industry confidence: https://lnkd.in/ebuQy-4U    ► Top-of-wallet. How small-town credit unions, already remarkably well-positioned, can get there: https://lnkd.in/eNex46xb    ► Source of truth. Hany Fam on establishing it for small businesses, and why we need to start hearing about how AI can help make sense of that data: https://lnkd.in/ee_4iBzp   ► Try explaining what a check is to a teenager. Eric Frankovic & I’s sit-down brings a new twist to the age old conversation about accelerating payables' shift to digital: https://lnkd.in/eHcTBaN6    ► In the eye of the receiver. A five-industry study on monetizing instant in innovative ways as part of a new ecosystem that is receiver-centric, but sender-enabled: https://lnkd.in/ee_4iBzp    ► Smart spending. This CAIO report from PYMNTS Intelligence (collaborated upon with Coupa Software) examines how CFOs at U.S. firms that generated at least $1B in revenues last year are utilizing AI to support and optimize spending: https://lnkd.in/e8fzaTs5  

Money talks: 39% of credit union cardholders choose their primary card for financial incentives. Yet spending control features (20%) are gaining ground while security lags behind (10%). Our study of 14,000+ consumers and businesses with Velera shows where CUs win and lose the wallet war: https://hubs.ly/Q03g_0JV0

40% of patients want contactless healthcare payments, yet many still receive paper bills. Our new research with American Express shows digital transformation isn't just about efficiency—it's about patient retention and reduced financial risk. https://hubs.ly/Q03g_0wC0

What happens when you combine 40 million active users, AI capabilities, and a central bank that mandates instant payments? PicPay's André Cazotto calls it "the perfect digital finance ecosystem." More on how Brazil's unexpected regulatory approach is creating one of the world's most innovative fintech landscapes: https://hubs.ly/Q03gZpBf0

AI's pain points in finance exposed: 65% of CFOs struggle with system integration, 61% can't customize solutions, and over half cite prohibitive costs. Our new report with Coupa Software reveals the reality behind the AI finance revolution. Learn how forward-thinking enterprises are overcoming these hurdles: https://hubs.ly/Q03gZnhS0

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Demand for instant payments is surging, yet access and adoption remain uneven across industries. Our latest Money Mobility Tracker with Ingo Payments reveals a growing digital divide: tech-savvy SMBs gaining crucial cash flow advantages while others struggle with outdated infrastructure. See which sectors are winning the race for payment speed: https://hubs.ly/Q03gMGcQ0

Today in Payments for April 10, 2025: Get all the details from today’s top trending stories, exclusively on PYMNTS! 1️⃣ Mynt Gets Visa Investment and Joins Reseller Network https://hubs.ly/Q03gMG4R0 2️⃣ Alphabet Faces Investor Concern About AI Challenge to Search Business https://hubs.ly/Q03gN1SC0 3️⃣ House Votes to Repeal CFPB Rule Covering Consumer Payment Apps https://hubs.ly/Q03gMQqN0