Mastercard is looking to improve crypto by designing a payments system that will link accounts holding both fiat currency and cryptocurrencies.

The blockchain subsidiary of the Russian e-payments firm Qiwi plans to incentivize staff by giving them tokens tied to the firm's net profits.

Japanese digital services firm GMO Internet has just launched a new web bank that it says will soon use blockchain to facilitate payments.

Tech giant IBM is seeking to its widen blockchain research, development and education efforts through a partnership with Columbia University.