The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics is holding public hearings as part of its inquiry into digital payment schemes and emerging technologies, focusing on the fairness, competitiveness and affordability of credit card and payment systems and how technology could shape the future of payments. The inquiry will examine the impact of payment costs on small business, including potential inequities, and will consider developments such as digital currencies and blockchain technology. The first day of hearings will take evidence from key regulators and larger payments operators including major banks, global card network providers, Apple and Australian Payments Plus, followed by a second day featuring industry bodies and small business representatives alongside witnesses from blockchain, cryptocurrency, digital wallet and payments technology firms.