Digital money can be a fraud-fighting tool
New digital currency features could virtually eliminate permanent theft by allowing stolen funds to be 'burned' and reminted for the rightful owners.
Curated by Financing Your Way from original reporting by American Banker — Top News. Summary is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed — see our editorial standards.
This development marks a potential shift in how your business handles payment security and fraud prevention. Digital money and programmable currencies are being positioned as more than just payment methods; they are becoming security tools. Unlike traditional cash or standard digital transfers, these assets can be tracked in real-time. If funds are stolen during a transaction or through a data breach, the issuing entity has the power to 'burn' or invalidate the stolen tokens. They can then remint them for the rightful owner. For retailers and service providers, this could significantly lower the cost of fraud. Current consumer financing models often bake the risk of fraud into their interest rates and merchant fees. If digital money makes theft reversible, lenders may be able to offer more competitive terms. This technology also addresses the issue of 'friendly fraud' and unauthorized chargebacks, which plague the online financing space. While widespread adoption is still on the horizon, the move toward programmable money suggests a future where your business spends less on anti-fraud software and insurance premiums. It promises a smoother checkout experience for customers who are currently frustrated by aggressive security filters that trigger false declines.
Source: American Banker — Top News
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