Highnote Expands Its Unified Product Platform with Instant Payments
Unlike providers that offer push-to-card services as standalone point solutions, Highnote delivers Instant Payments as part of a fully integrated platform that includes issuing, acquiring, credit, and a built-in general ledger.
Share
Developed in direct response to evolving customer needs, Instant Payments reflects Highnote's commitment to anticipating and delivering the tools modern businesses require to scale. While many platforms are still stitching together legacy infrastructure, Highnote has embedded this capability directly into its unified product platform, empowering subscribers with seamless, intelligent money movement from day one.
With Instant Payments, businesses can push funds to debit and prepaid cards in the U.S., giving recipients faster access to their earnings while improving liquidity and payout operations. Use cases include gig worker payouts, employee tips, insurance reimbursements, merchant settlements, refunds, and more.
'Instant Payments reflects both where our subscribers are today and where the market is headed,' said Kin Kee, CTO of Highnote. 'By embedding on-demand disbursements directly into our issuing stack, we are helping businesses move money faster and more intelligently, all within a single, unified product experience.'
Unlike providers that offer push-to-card services as standalone point solutions, Highnote delivers Instant Payments as part of a fully integrated platform that includes issuing, acquiring, credit, and a built-in general ledger. This unified foundation enables businesses to manage the full payment lifecycle, from funding to disbursement and reconciliation, through a single, flexible integration.
'At Visa, we're committed to providing seamless and secure money movement capabilities that help businesses and their customers access their funds in real-time,' said Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore, SVP, Money Movement North America, Visa. 'By enabling real-time funds transfers through Highnote's platform, we're helping businesses leverage Visa's scale and robust security infrastructure to deliver faster and more reliable payouts.'
'Collaborating across the ecosystem is essential to ensure businesses can securely access critical funds in near real-time to keep their operations up and running,' said Stefany Bello, SVP, Digital Partnerships, Fintech & Enablers, Mastercard, North America. 'This marks an exciting new chapter in Mastercard's longstanding relationship with Highnote—one filled with opportunity to enable the seamless movement of money across key verticals and segments.'
Instant Payments is the first release in Highnote's larger effort to unify outbound money movement through a single, programmable framework. Additional capabilities include support for ACH, wires, RTP, FedNow, wallet-based transfers, stablecoin funding, and other emerging rails—all accessible through one API, with intelligent routing based on speed, cost, and destination.
To learn more about Instant Payments, contact the Highnote team or visit www.highnote.com.
About Highnote
Highnote is the unified platform for embedded finance, built for modern card issuance, acquiring, credit, and real-time money movement. Designed from the ground up, Highnote combines elegantly intelligent architecture with powerful developer tooling to deliver seamless, branded financial experiences. With built-in ledgering, integrated payment capabilities, and complete program management, Highnote empowers fintechs, vertical SaaS providers, and enterprises to launch differentiated embedded payments experiences that stand out in any market. Headquartered in San Francisco, Highnote is redefining the standard for modern financial products. Visit highnote.com for more information.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, similar, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
1 Transaction approvals depend on the applicable payment network and receiving financial network. Actual posting times depend on the receiving financial institution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Assmang considers Beeshoek iron ore mine closure
South African miner Assmang is reportedly contemplating closing its Beeshoek iron ore mine following its failure to secure a contract with its primary customer, ArcelorMittal South Africa, reported Reuters. The potential shutdown of the mine could lead to the loss of 688 jobs, a situation that has prompted discussions with unions. Assmang, a joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals and Assore, communicated the potential closure in a notice to unions. The company expressed that the decision was prompted by ArcelorMittal South Africa's unexpected refusal to sign a three-year supply contract with the Beeshoek mine, despite previous indications of a possible agreement. 'Moving forward, Beeshoek proposes to discuss with the unions the potential closure of Beeshoek,' stated Assmang in the notice. The mine, which relies heavily on ArcelorMittal South Africa as its sole significant customer, has found itself in a precarious position. 'The customer is not willing and has declined concluding any long-term contract with Beeshoek mine,' Assmang added, noting that alternatives such as exports were explored but found to be unviable. ArcelorMittal South Africa, on the other hand, has refrained from commenting on the situation. A spokesperson for the company was quoted as saying: 'Given the complexity of the matters under discussion and our cautionary announcements, we are limited in what can be discussed in the public domain at this stage.' Trade union Solidarity, representing some of the workers at Beeshoek, has been informed about the initiation of the layoff process for the entire staff at the mine. Solidarity's mining sector organiser, Adele Rossouw, was quoted as saying: 'Due to the fact that they do not export, and since their only client can no longer buy from them, the worst possible option is now being considered.' The steelmaker's 1bn reais ($56.75m) loss for the six months to 30 June, has been exacerbated by weak local demand, high electricity tariffs, and competition from Chinese imports and local scrap metal-recycling mini mills. The company has also announced plans to shut down its loss-making long steel plants in Newcastle and Vereeniging, although these closures have been deferred for two years as discussions with the government and other stakeholders continue. ArcelorMittal's search for financial support to postpone the shutdown of its long steel business has been ongoing since March, following its announcement in February to cease operations by April after unsuccessful discussions with the government. "Assmang considers Beeshoek iron ore mine closure" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Introducing Atmos™ Rewards - an enhanced, combined loyalty program by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, unlocking a world of more choices, benefits and possibilities
A first for any global airline, members can choose how they earn points and status points when they fly with us – by distance traveled, price paid or segments flown The #1 airline rewards program is getting even better: Atmos Rewards members enjoy industry-leading generosity with even more ways to earn and redeem points for travel adventures around the globe Unleash the full power of Atmos Rewards with our new premium credit card, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card, offering a Global Companion Award and an even faster way to earn status Alaska ushers in a new era of inflight connectivity with the installation of ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi, free for Atmos Rewards members beginning in 2026 SEATTLE, Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On a mission to transform global travel, Alaska Airlines launched Atmos™ Rewards today – our evolved, supercharged loyalty program that unifies the best of Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles into a combined platform to deliver more choice, more rewards and more global access than ever before for our members. Atmos Rewards continues the generosity that Mileage Plan has long been known for. Alaska has the #1 airline rewards program according to U.S. News & World Report. And it's getting even better. Atmos Rewards offers new ways to earn valuable points across an extensive worldwide network spanning over 1,000 destinations, connected by the strength of Alaska, Hawaiian and more than 30 global airline partners, including the oneworld alliance. We've also assembled a rich collection of partners to earn points with when our members are not flying. Atmos Rewards is the global airline program that encourages members to tailor the program to their travel style and choose what matters most to them, from flexible point-earning options to preferred perks and personalized benefits in the new Atmos Communities. "Atmos Rewards is more than a loyalty program – it's a reflection of how guests travel today," said Andrew Harrison, chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines. "We listened to what our members value most and built a program that's grounded in generosity, personalization and practicality. We're putting our members in the pilot's seat, giving them control over how they earn and redeem, while honoring the legacy and values of both Alaska and Hawaiian." The power of choice, points that go further and greater access to the world Choose among three ways to earn: We're introducing a first for a global airline that gives our members ultimate flexibility. Later in 2026, points and status points can be earned in one of three ways when flying with us. Members can select the earning option that works best for them and change their preference once a year: Distance traveled: Earn based on how far you go with one point for every mile flown. For thrifty travelers who take cross-country or international trips, this might be the best choice. Price paid: Earn five points for every $1 spent when purchasing a flight. This includes airfare and upgrades purchased in premium cabins. For travelers flying in our premium cabins, including our lie-flat suites, this might be the best choice. Segments flown: Earn a flat 500 points for each flight segment flown. For flyers who take numerous short-distance flights, such as those between Neighbor Islands in Hawai`i or within California, this option guarantees a set number of points on every trip. Reward yourself: We keep adding new ways for members to use their valuable points to see the world. They can redeem points for award travel to more than 1,000 destinations on Alaska, Hawaiian and 30+ global airline partners, including oneworld member airlines. Redemptions start at only 4,500 points one-way. We're installing Starlink across the entire Alaska fleet: Alaska and Hawaiian will add Starlink inflight connectivity to more planes, bringing the fastest Wi-Fi in the skies to even more flights. Alaska has teamed up with T-Mobile to make this new Wi-Fi service free exclusively for Atmos Rewards members. Installations on Alaska's fleet will begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027. More partners, more points: Atmos Rewards members can now earn 2 points for every $1 spent on everyday Lyft rides, and 3 points for every $1 spent on airport and elevated Lyft rides. Link your Atmos Rewards and Lyft accounts at to earn more points wherever you go. Later this year, we'll add more partners to our lineup. Book stays: Explore nearly a million hotels and vacation rentals worldwide where you can earn or redeem points. Atmos Rewards Unlocked: Points can also be used to secure tickets to unique events and travel experiences – available only to Atmos Rewards members. Endless earning: Points and status points are earned on flights with us and our partners, as well as through routine purchases with the Atmos Rewards Visa® credit cards and Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard® credit cards* and on purchases made with our non-airline partners. Members can also earn status points when they book award travel. Points are used for various redemptions, and status points track progress toward reaching status and milestones. The power of our new premium card: With our new Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card, co-branded with Bank of America, cardholders can reach status and milestones even faster by earning 1 status point for every $2 spent on purchases. Milestones unleash perks: Rewards come earlier and more often when members reach milestones with their status points. Each milestone unlocks a choice of perks starting at just 10,000 status points. More generous upgrades are on the way: For our Atmos Titanium members, we'll be the only U.S. airline to offer complimentary, day-of-departure upgrades into global Business Class for them and a companion without requiring points or a certificate. Also, status holders and one companion can take advantage of complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America beginning next spring. With new Atmos Communities, pick a group and enjoy extra benefits: All members can choose to be part of Atmos Communities later in 2026 with exclusive benefits tailored to what interests them most. Options include groups unique to members within a specific area of residence, like our popular Huakaʻi by Hawaiian for Hawai'i residents and Club 49 for residents of the state of Alaska (available now), or benefits aligned with interests like travel with families, wellness and more. "Atmos Rewards is designed to set a new standard for airline loyalty – more generous, more flexible and easier to use, whether members are flying across the globe or just across the Islands. With the combination of Alaska and Hawaiian, we seized a rare opportunity to imagine how we could make the most generous loyalty program even better," said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines. "With industry-first features like customizable ways to earn and unique benefits tailored to how people travel, we're giving our guests more control, more value and more reasons to engage." What you need to know As of today, Mileage Plan members are now Atmos Rewards members. They retain their existing account numbers with no interruption to their benefits – there's nothing they need to do. With Atmos Rewards, Mileage Plan miles are now 'points' and elite-qualifying miles are referred to as 'status points.' One Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles mile = one Atmos Rewards point. The value of points does not change, and points do not expire. Members can continue to redeem for travel on Alaska, Hawaiian and our global partners. HawaiianMiles members and all their miles will automatically transition into Atmos Rewards on Oct. 1. They will receive a new account number if they have not previously linked their HawaiianMiles account to a Mileage Plan account. We have more details for HawaiianMiles members here. Alaska Airlines Visa® cards are being rebranded as Atmos Rewards Visa® cards. Account numbers and benefits remain the same. Use of the cards and benefits will continue without interruption – there's no action for cardholders to take. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard* continues unchanged. The card name and benefits stay the same, and cardmembers do not need to take any action. We'll remain the only U.S. airline that offers points for miles flown, but later in 2026, members will be able to choose how they earn points: by distance traveled, price paid or segments flown. For members who have status with us, benefits stay the same with more on the way. Learn more about the new Atmos tier names and updates to earning status here. More about Atmos Rewards The Atmos Rewards name is designed to inspire wonder. It's a play on "atmosphere," embodying an elevated brand that takes travelers to new heights through a visual identity reminiscent of an airplane window, inspiring flyers to dream. The soft gradients, smoothly transitioning in color and intensity, harmoniously weave together the blue of Alaska and the purple and pink of Hawaiian. The name also cues a promise of "most" – demonstrating the 11 years of Alaska's Mileage Plan being named the number one airline loyalty program and cueing more rewards, more destinations and more choice. Visit to learn even more about our new loyalty program. And follow us on our new Atmos Rewards social channels: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube. Our credit card programs A perfect complement to Atmos Rewards is our new premium credit card: the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card. It features exclusive travel perks, including a unique Global Companion Award that can be redeemed on our partners and in premium cabins, accelerated points and status earning potential, Alaska Lounge passes, and other benefits designed to elevate every step of the journey. Learn more about all the benefits at The card has an annual fee of $395**. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card are being rebranded to Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card and Atmos Rewards Visa® Business card. Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ will now be our $99 Companion Fare. Account numbers remain the same, and cardholders will continue to enjoy all the same benefits and earning power with Atmos Rewards. Current cardholders will receive an Atmos Rewards-branded credit card, featuring the new name and design, when their current card expires. Eligible Atmos Rewards Visa cardholders have access to select benefits across both airlines, including a free checked bag, the $99 Companion Fare, and 3x points on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. For Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers, there is also no interruption in service or use of benefits now or upon the HawaiianMiles transition to Atmos Rewards on Oct. 1. Cardmembers enjoy select benefits across both airlines, including two free checked bags on eligible flights and 3x points on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Our growing global gateway in Seattle Alaska continues to expand internationally with new flights from our hometown airport in Seattle – where we're the largest carrier – to Rome, London and Reykjavik, Iceland. Nonstop service to those European markets is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. We currently fly from Seattle to Tokyo Narita, with flights to Seoul Incheon starting Sept. 12. By 2030, we plan to serve 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle. To support Alaska's transformation, we're establishing a 787-9 hub in Seattle that will deploy as many as 17 787s across our global network. * Hawaiian credit cards continue to earn HawaiianMiles until Oct. 1, 2025. **Terms and conditions apply. These credit card programs are issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. About Alaska Air GroupAlaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. We'll serve new destinations in Europe beginning in spring 2026: Rome, London and Reykjavik, Iceland. Alaska is a member of the oneworld alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem points for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Guests can book travel at and Learn more about what's happening at Alaska and Hawaiian. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as "ALK." View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Alaska Airlines
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Circle Builds a New Payments Network--And It Could Reroute the Flow of Digital Money
Fresh off a blockbuster IPO that's sent shares soaring over 350%, the stablecoin powerhouse has launched its own blockchain, Arc a move that could reshape how digital dollars move. Arc pairs with Circle's (NYSE:CRCL) earlier Circle Payments Network, aiming to handle everything from compliance to final settlement, end-to-end. It's a bold pivot from just issuing USDC to now powering the rails beneath it a strategy that puts Circle in direct competition with Visa (NYSE:V), Mastercard (NYSE:MA), and the crypto networks it once relied on. The company still pulls in most of its revenue from interest on USDC reserves, but with rate cuts looming, that stream could shrink fast. Owning the infrastructure? That's Circle's next bet. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with CRCL. They're not alone. Stripe's secret blockchain project, Tempo, surfaced through a now-deleted job post signaling that it too wants to own the full stack of stablecoin payments. JPMorgan is going hybrid: running its private Kinexys platform while testing stablecoin rails on public chain Base. Fireblocks has already integrated Arc, potentially opening the system to over 2,400 institutions. The playbook is starting to look familiar control the network, control the flow of money. But this new wave of closed-loop systems is raising eyebrows across the industry. What was supposed to be a decentralized revolution is starting to look a lot like a rebranded Visa model only this time, with programmable money and new gatekeepers. Still, Circle insists it's not locking the doors. It continues to support USDC on public chains and is rolling out cross-chain tools to keep the system interoperable. But building infrastructure is one thing. Convincing the rest of the market to use it is another. Analysts are watching closely. David Koning at Baird flagged that Circle shelled out 62% of its Q2 revenue over $400 million just to keep distribution partners like Coinbase onboard. Non-interest income? Trending lower. The challenge ahead is clear: build the rails, attract the traffic, and keep enough margin to make the math work. The stablecoin wars are here and Circle's not backing down. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
