Paynt acquires Canada's E-xact Transactions
0
Paynt currently processes payments across the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom, with regional offices in the UK, Ireland, the Baltic States, and the United States. The acquisition of E-xact, which processes over CAD 3.5 billion annually across more than 50 million transactions, will add a new operational hub in Vancouver, Canada.
To support this North American growth, Paynt has appointed payments industry veteran JohnPaul Golino to its board of directors. Golino will lead the integration of E-xact into Paynt's platform and oversee regional go-to-market efforts.
'With a new established presence in Connecticut and Vancouver, we're entering a new chapter in building Paynt's North American footprint and reinforcing our global leadership in payment solutions,' said Sam Kohli, founder and Group CEO of Paynt.
Founded over 25 years ago, E-xact Transactions delivers lightning-fast, secure payment processing — with sub-one-second transaction times — and supports leading e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.
'This acquisition not only expands our reach but enhances the solutions we bring to merchants and partners across Canada,' said JohnPaul Golino. 'We thank MAPP Advisors for their guidance in connecting us with E-xact — this is the beginning of a powerful new phase.'
Paynt is also actively evaluating additional acquisition targets in the United States, with plans to finalize another deal by the end of 2025.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Merifund Capital Management Flags Tech IPO Surge as AI, Fintech and Crypto Firms Attract Strong Investor Demand
NEW YORK, NY, August 21, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Merifund Capital Management, opens new tab views the current wave of initial public offerings as a turning point for global markets, with activity strengthening through the summer months and investor discipline sharpening around issuers with sustainable economics. August alone records twelve listings worth about $3.2 billion, almost twice the August average of the past decade, while July brought twenty-nine transactions raising nearly $5.8 billion. Equity indices reinforce the backdrop, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 both reaching new highs this month. Large investment banks confirm the trend. Equity underwriting revenue at one leading Wall Street house rises 42% from the previous quarter to $558.2 million, while another reports investment banking fees of $2.3 billion, up 24% over the same period, with equity underwriting within that total growing by 98%. Developed markets count thirty-six technology IPOs by the end of June, raising more than $7.1 billion, already above the $6.9 billion total across all of 2024. 'Investor allocations this year concentrate on issuers with recurring revenues, strong unit economics and governance frameworks that withstand scrutiny,' notes Anthony Saunders, Director of Private Equity at Merifund Capital Management. 'Our analysis of the year to date shows selectivity is now decisive, with software, fintech and digital assets leading order books where operational scale and cash conversion are demonstrable.' High-profile debuts illustrate the scale of demand. In July 2025, Figma records a 250% first-day gain, opening at $36.84 and closing at $128.95, implying a fully diluted value of $53.5 billion. Its annual revenues of $836.2 million are up 48% over the preceding 12-month period, with a quarterly profit of $50.3 million further supporting investor appetite. Circle's June offering follows a similar trajectory, closing 168% higher on day one and sustaining gains of about 400% above its IPO reference, underpinned by quarterly revenue growth of 53% to $734.61 million and USDC circulation rising 90% year-on-year. Bullish, the cryptocurrency exchange backed by Peter Thiel, prices at $41.31, peaks above $131.74 on its first day and settles near $103.38, equating to a valuation close to $14.7 billion against its $6.0 billion IPO reference, after handling $279.1 billion of trading volume during 2024. Saunders interprets such moves less as anomalies than as signals that pricing dynamics are normalising. 'Order books in the third quarter are clearing at narrower discounts, with quality growth securing sponsorship while cash-burning models encounter resistance,' he comments. 'Where gross margins, governance and customer retention meet higher thresholds, we expect participation to remain broad through the second half, provided volatility continues to ease.' Pipeline data support the constructive stance. As of late August 2025, there are about 168 active U.S. filings, with potential aggregate raises approaching $7 billion. Thirteen larger candidates target at least $111.6 million each. High-profile issuers include Klarna, exploring valuations near $22.3 billion following prior swings between $51.4 billion and $7.8 billion, and Databricks, tracked at $69.2 billion following an $11.2 billion December funding round. Policy contours remain important. The Securities and Exchange Commission under acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda is emphasising disclosure proportionality and lighter burdens for growth issuers. Exchanges are in dialogue with regulators over listing frictions that have discouraged companies in the past. Saunders cautions, however, that 'regulatory adjustments may encourage activity, but issuers must still prove that business models deliver durable returns across cycles.' Investor participation continues to split between retail and institutional dynamics. Retail enthusiasm is capable of inflating day-one valuations, while institutions increasingly target issuers with free cash flow visibility, revenue above $250 million and gross margins above 70%. 'Dispersion is widening,' Saunders observes. 'Our research shows institutional sponsorship focuses on profitability, not simply growth at all costs.' For investors, the message is clear: opportunities are real but uneven. Merifund Capital Management's analysis highlights that developed markets have already exceeded last year's total technology IPO proceeds by June, and the outlook suggests momentum continues into the autumn window. Companies with proven scalability and resilient fundamentals are commanding sustained attention, while those with weaker models struggle to secure meaningful sponsorship. About Merifund Capital Management Based in Singapore since 2010, Merifund Capital Management Pte. Ltd. is a specialist hedge fund manager with a global perspective on investment opportunities. The firm manages a diversified set of strategies spanning traditional long-only portfolios, long/short equity, global macro, event-driven and systematic trading. Derivatives are deployed selectively to optimise exposure while ensuring capital preservation, liquidity and rigorous risk controls remain at the core. Environmental, social and governance principles are embedded into its processes in line with international standards. Merifund serves accredited investors, family offices, foundations and endowments, and is progressing towards making certain offerings available to retail investors. For general information, visit opens new tab. Additional insights can be found at opens new tab. Media Contact Tao Yang media@ ### SOURCE: Merifund Capital Management Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire


Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Cracker Barrel makes controversial change for first time in 48 years and company value tanks: 'Yikes'
Diners are slamming Cracker Barrel for removing the 'cracker and the barrel' from its logo. The chain has debuted a new logo for the first time in 48 years, which removes the image of an old man leaning against a barrel, and leaves just the name in a new font. It also removes the pinto bean shape behind the name, which was a nod to one of the original sides offered when the store and restaurant first opened in 1969. Americans have been quick to slam the change on social media, and the company's shares have plummeted since it first announced the new logo on Tuesday. On Thursday alone, the company has shed almost $200 million in market value. Furious customers are claiming that the company has lost its personality and its history with the rebranding. Crackers used to be delivered to old country stores in barrels, and when they were empty, they were used as makeshift tables which people would congregate around. 'This rebrand says nothing about history or tradition and everything about marketing consultants making quick money,' one Reddit user wrote. The old logo features an image of an old man leaning against a barrel 'The brief: "remove all personality from the logo, and ensure our brand blends into and disappears into the competitive landscape,"' a Reddit user wrote. 'So they got rid of the cracker and the barrel,' another person commented. One simply commented: 'Yikes,' while another person described the change as 'such a downgrade.' Some conservative commentators have taken particular issue with the rebrand, and Donald Trump Jr. even took to X to share his thoughts, writing: 'WTF is wrong with Cracker Barrel??!' The redesign comes as the company has been revamping its more than 650 restaurants across the US — ditching southern-style for modern decor. This has also caused customer backlash, with some saying 'nobody wants this' and accusing the chain of turning it into 'any other restaurant.' Rebrand controversies have increased over the last several years, with fans claiming that businesses are losing their charm. Gap and McDonald's were some of the chains Reddit users compared Cracker Barrel's new logo to. 'People like what we're doing,' Cracker Barrel president and CEO Julie Felss Masino said earlier this week 'If I ever go to my local Cracker Barrel and they roll out this sign and the new interior, I genuinely won't be going back,' a guest revealed. Fans are now calling on the 56-year-old chain to 'revert to the original logo.' However, Cracker Barrel is adamant in going through with the revamp. 'People like what we're doing,' Cracker Barrel president and CEO Julie Felss Masino told Good Morning America on Tuesday. 'Cracker Barrel needs to feel like the Cracker Barrel for today and for tomorrow — the things that you love are still there. We need people to choose us, and we want people to choose us.' She added that the top question Florida-based managers asked her during a recent meeting was 'How can I get a remodel, when can I get a remodel and how do I get on the list?.' Cracker Barrel's new fall menu and 'all the more' campaign could make up for fans' disappointment in its new logo. The redesign comes as the company has also been revamping its restaurants Cracker Barrel has over 650 locations across the US 'We believe in the goodness of country hospitality, a spirit that has always defined us. Our story hasn't changed. Our values haven't changed,' said chief marketing officer Sarah Moore. 'With 'All the More,' we're honoring our legacy while bringing fresh energy, thoughtful craftsmanship and heartfelt hospitality to our guests this fall.' Among the foods featured in its new fall menu include Sausage & Egg Hashbrown Casserole, Herb Roasted Chicken and Butter Pecan Sticky Buns. Chains like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' have also dropped fall menus early. Chick-fil-A was one of the latest to do so on August — introducing Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwiches.


Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Rise in US jobless claims adds to signs of labor market softness
Aug 21 (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits rose by the most in about three months last week and the number of people collecting unemployment relief in the prior week climbed to the highest level in nearly four years, signaling recent labor market softness continued into August. The data may also add to the argument for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates at its next meeting in about four weeks. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits climbed 11,000 - the largest increase since late May - to a seasonally adjusted 235,000 for the week ended August 16, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 225,000 claims for the latest week. The data covered the survey week for the August nonfarm payrolls report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and while it does not yet suggest large-scale layoffs are afoot, it nonetheless points to another month of sub-par job growth. "Directionally, the data show some deterioration in labor market conditions since last month, but the magnitude is limited," said Thomas Simons, chief U.S. economist at Jefferies. "Based on this report alone, we expect (August) NFP will print in the 60,000 to 80,000 range." The labor market has split into low firings and tepid hiring as businesses navigate President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policy, which has raised the nation's average import duty to its highest level in a century. Job growth has averaged 35,000 jobs per month over the last three months, the government reported in early August. Domestic demand grew in the second quarter at its slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2022. "The latest rise in claims, if sustained, would indicate some pickup in layoffs, albeit from very low levels," Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in a note. The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, a proxy for hiring, rose 30,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.972 million, the highest level since November 2021, during the week ending August 9, the claims report showed. The elevated so-called continuing claims align with consumers' rising perceptions that jobs are hard to find. Economists said the continuing claims trend was consistent with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3% in August from 4.2% in July. BLS will release the August payrolls report on September 5, and it will be watched closely not just for its estimates of job growth this month, but for whether the accompanying revisions to the two prior months are anywhere near as large as they were in the report for July. That report featured revisions of an historic magnitude that erased more than a quarter of a million jobs previously thought to have been created in May and June. Trump fired the BLS commissioner as a result. Other data released on Thursday sent somewhat conflicting signals about the economy's health. A monthly survey of purchasing managers at both manufacturers and services firms suggested business activity and hiring have picked up pace appreciably this month. S&P Global's flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index increased to 55.4 this month, the highest level since December, from 55.1 in July. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the private sector. "A strong flash PMI reading for August adds to signs that U.S. businesses have enjoyed a strong third quarter so far," Chris Williamson, chief business economist for S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in a statement. "The data are consistent with the economy expanding at a 2.5% annualized rate, up from the average 1.3% expansion seen over the first two quarters of the year." The improvement came largely from the manufacturing sector, where the flash PMI surged to 53.3 - the highest level since May 2022 - from 49.8 in July and defying economists' expectations for a second month of contraction. Manufacturing received a bump from new orders activity, which was the highest since February 2024. The services sector, meanwhile, eased back to 55.4 from 55.7 in July. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the services PMI would slip to 54.2. The survey's measure of employment rose to the highest level since January, a finding apparently at odds with the jobless claims data. Its inflation gauge also rose again, reflecting the effects of Trump's tariffs - both in higher input costs and higher prices being passed on to consumers by businesses. Many economists expect the tariffs to slow activity and keep prices elevated, a dynamic that could make it hard for the Fed to deliver the series of rate cuts through the end of this year that investors seem to anticipate. The prevailing view is that the Fed will lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point at its September 16-17 meeting to provide a cushion for the job market, but with inflation not currently on a trajectory back toward the central bank's 2% target, officials may be hesitant to signal more cuts are coming. Expectations for a Fed rate reduction recently have helped lower mortgage rates somewhat, and that dynamic appears to have helped sales of previously owned homes to rebound a bit last month from a nine-month low in June. Home sales rose 2.0% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million units from 3.93 million in June, the National Association of Realtors said. Sales edged up 0.8% on a year-over-year basis. Lawrence Yun, the NAR's chief economist, saw the data as suggesting that some relief in the factors that have weighed on home sales - high borrowing costs and prices and limited inventory - may be in the offing. "The ever-so-slight improvement in housing affordability is inching up home sales," Yun said in a statement. "Wage growth is now comfortably outpacing home price growth, and buyers have more choices."