Tag: jpmorgan

Mobile payments firm Square prepares to launch IPO

| October 19, 2015

Square announces plans to launch IPO in the near future

Square, one of North America’s leading mobile payments firms, has announced plans to file an Initial Public Offering (IPO), selling shares under the ticker symbol SQ. Analysts have been speculating that Square would launch an IPO for months, but the company has been relatively quiet regarding its plans, until now. Currently, the Square IPO is valued at as much as $275 million, though this number could change as the IPO attracts more interest from investors.

Company expected to offer more information concerning IPO in the coming months

The number of shares the company will offer and what price range these shares will have are not yet set in stone. Goldman Sachs will serve as the lead underwriter for the company’s shares, alongside JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley. When the IPO will launch has not yet been officially announced, but growing interest in mobile payments may mean that the IPO is coming sooner rather than later.

Mobile payments continue to gain popularity in the US and elsewhere

Mobile Payments - Square Merchant CaseMobile payments have become very popular in the United States and elsewhere around the world. Square has established a significant lead in the sector, proving that its Square Cash application, as well as other services, are capable of engaging mobile consumers and allowing retailers to do the same. In 2014, Square reported some $850 million in revenue, though it had also lost approximately $154 million. The company has narrowed its losses so far this year, reporting $77 million in losses and $560 million in revenue generated.

Square proves that it can find success in the mobile payments field

Since its founding in 2009, Square has raised more than $600 million in venture capital. The company has established itself as a leading entity in mobile payments and had helped Starbucks do the same over a relatively short amount of time. As mobile payments continue to grow in popularity, Square is likely to continue seeing success in this field, especially as it works with other companies that also have a strong interest in mobile commerce.

Mobile security may need more attention in 2015

| January 1, 2015

Mobile security could be put to the test next year as digital threats increase

The past year has been somewhat turbulent in terms of security. Throughout 2014, major security breaches have become headline news and high-profile cyber attacks have highlighted a lack of security that exists in the business world, particularly when it comes to mobile technology. Mobile security is something that receives relatively little attention from consumers, but as more cyber attacks attract attention, many people may be ready to take steps to protect their mobile devices, especially if they are participating in mobile commerce.

High-profile cyber attacks highlight issues regarding mobile security

Large companies like Home Depot, JPMorgan, Target, and Sony have been hit by major cyber attacks over the past year. Hackers managed to steal millions of credit and debit card numbers from these companies, as well as other consumer information. In some cases, malicious parties were able to exploit the lackluster security of mobile services that these companies had been using. As such, the dangers that exist in the mobile commerce space have attracted more attention.

Phishing and malicious software is becoming more common

Online Mobile SecurityIn the coming year, security issues may become more pronounced. According to the Information Security Forum, the problem of mobile phishing is becoming more severe. The organization notes that it has seen a rise in the number of fake emails that alleged to be from companies like Amazon. These emails had sought to gain access to consumer shopping accounts, exploiting these accounts financially. The organization also warns that the number of free-to-use and free-to-modify software could create serious problems for mobile consumers.

Security threats may grow more pronounced, especially in the mobile commerce space

As mobile commerce grows more popular, consumers are having to take security more seriously. Because mobile commerce deals in the trafficking of financial information, it has become an attractive target for those that want to exploit such information. The number of cyber attacks is not expected to go down in 2015, so consumers may have to be more aggressive with their own protection.