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A leading payments industry news source for more than 17 years. Glenbrook curates the news and keeps you abreast of the important daily headlines in payments.
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January 21, 2026
On the web
Acquired.com & Visa: Unlocking Real-Time Recurring Payment Solutions with cVRPs via Visa A2A
Acquired.com
"Recurring payments are the backbone of many businesses, especially those operating in subscription-based or recurring revenue models. Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (cVRPs) launched by Acquired.com are the next evolution in payment technology, enabling businesses to facilitate real-time, bank-to-bank transactions with unprecedented flexibility and transparency. Powered by Visa’s Account-to-Account (A2A) solution, cVRPs provide an alternative to legacy payment systems, combining the benefits of speed, efficiency, and customer control."
Regions Bank Selects Worldpay to Transform Business Payments
Regions
"Regions Bank announced a major collaboration with payments technology company Worldpay®, a Global Payments company. This new collaboration is designed to enhance how Regions’ business clients, ranging from small businesses to major enterprises, accept payments and manage cash flow operations."
Fiserv and Sumitomo Mitsui Introduce Clover Suite of Products, Enabling Digital Commerce for Millions of Merchants
Fiserv, Inc.
"Fiserv, Inc. announced a new strategic partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited (SMCC) to bring Fiserv’s Clover®suite of products to the country. This collaboration will bring an integrated payments and business management platform to millions of retail, food & beverage and professional service small businesses (SMBs) in Japan, driving digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, and accelerating adoption of cashless payments."
The Government of Bermuda Announces Plans to be the World’s First Fully Onchain National Economy with Support from Circle and Coinbase
Circle
"At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, the Government of Bermuda announced their plans to transform Bermuda into the world’s first fully onchain national economy with support from Circle and Coinbase. An onchain economy means using digital assets as everyday financial infrastructure."
Amex Expands Pay Over Time Auto-Enrollment to Business Green, Gold and Platinum Cards
CNBC
"While Amex is traditionally known for its pay-in-full card model, the company is making adjustments to its card lineup to accommodate the changing needs of business owners. Pay Over Time is a buy now, pay later feature that applies to eligible purchases. Amex states that annual fees, cash advances, including cash and other cash equivalents, certain insurance premiums and any other fees owed to American Express are not eligible for Pay Over Time."
Apple Pay Inches Closer to India, but Full Launch Still Some Distance Away
The Times of India
"Apple is in discussions with Indian regulators and banking partners to explore the introduction of Apple Pay in the country, with timelines likely extending into 2026. While speculation about an imminent launch has grown in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter caution that Apple Pay is not yet available for everyday domestic transactions in India. At present, Apple Pay’s presence in India is limited to cross border payments."
Digital Payments Solution to Help Local SMSs Grow With AI, Launched in Malaysia
Future CIO
"TNG Digital Sdn. Bhd., TNG eWallet, the operator of the Malaysia-based digital financial services and lifestyle app, and EPOS, the all-in-one SME transformation platform of Ant International, have launched EPOS360 in Malaysia. TNG eWallet features such as Near Me vouchers allow merchants to reach over 25 million users while managing key business functions within a single solution."
On the wires
TreviPay Launches Pay by Invoice for Issuers Enabled by Visa Credentials
Business Wire
"TreviPay announced the launch of its Pay by Invoice solution for Visa-issuing banks, enabling issuers to capture a greater share of the $58 trillion North American B2B payments market. Through this collaboration with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, TreviPay’s order-to-cash automation technology combines with Visa’s commercial payment capabilities to help issuers move fragmented B2B spend into strategic, issuer-financed, invoice-based transactions."
UnionPay at Davos: Transforming Cross-Border Payments with Connectivity and AI
PR Newswire
"Against the backdrop of global economic realignment, UnionPay, one of the world's largest card payment organizations, is focusing on cross-border network connectivity as a practical entry point. UnionPay is innovating to foster an open and inclusive international payments ecosystem—built on multilateral collaboration, interoperability, and shared value. At the same time, it is exploring the responsible application of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence in payments, seeking solutions that offer efficiency, security and financial inclusion."
January 20, 2026
Top Post
Why Chinas Interest-Bearing CBDC Changes Global Playbook
India
"On January 1, 2026, China crossed a line most central banks have deliberately avoided. The digital yuan (e-CNY) began paying interest. According to Reuters, verified wallet holders will now earn interest at demand deposit rates under a new management framework that took effect the same day. This is a deliberate digital payments policy choice that reshapes how people decide where money sits. An interest-bearing CBDC competes directly with deposits, pulling monetary design closer to the banking core rather than keeping it at the edges."
ABA, Associations Seek Extension of Comment Period for FDIC’s Genius Act Implementation
ABA Banking Journal
"The American Bankers Association joined four other associations to request that the FDIC push back the deadline for comment on its proposal to create a process through which banks can seek agency approval to issue stablecoins through a subsidiary. Comments on the FDIC proposed are currently due Feb. 17. The associations asked that the deadline be pushed back by either 60 days or 30 days after separate rulemaking is issued to address the capital, liquidity, risk management and other requirements."
On the web
The New Rules of the Road for Agentic Commerce
Mastercard
"Mastercard joined forces with Google on its Universal Commerce Protocol, an open protocol that enables interoperability between AI agents and merchants. They continue to collaborate across the value chain, including Google’s Agent Payments Protocol and Agent2Agent Protocol, OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol, and more to ensure these platforms meet the same standards for clear user intent, secure credentials and verifiable agent identity."
Agentic Checkout Grows Across Major AI Platforms
The Keyword
"Agentic checkout is no longer an abstract idea discussed in demos. Over the past several months, major technology companies have begun rolling out tools that allow AI systems to guide, assist, or complete purchases inside chat and assistant interfaces. The growing sophistication of AI agents has made this possible, influencing the rise of agentic commerce. Companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google have invested heavily in systems that can execute multi-step tasks rather than respond to single prompts."
Klarna Backs Practical Stablecoin Use as ACP Emerges as Industry Standard
The AI Journal
"Klarna’s launch of its own stablecoin using Stripe’s infrastructure marks one of the most significant developments in the fintech and payments sector this year. Not because it heralds a new consumer crypto trend, but because it reflects a shift towards grounded, commercially viable applications of blockchain technology. After years of predictions about mass consumer crypto adoption, Klarna’s announcement is notable for its focus on solving a real, well-documented problem rather than feeding the hype cycle."
JCB, Digital Garage and Resona Bank Partner on Stablecoin Retail Payments
Ledger Insights
"JCB, Japan’s major card brand that competes with Visa and Mastercard, has partnered with Digital Garage, one of the country’s largest e-commerce payment providers, and Resona Holdings, Japan’s fourth largest bank, to develop stablecoin payment infrastructure. The companies will conduct a pilot program using USD and JPY denominated stablecoins at physical retail locations."
50 Stablecoin Statistics That Matter in 2026
Stablecoin Insider
"50 essential stablecoin statistics for 2026: $312B+ market cap, $33T transactions, Visa adoption, remittances, lending & more. The guide to the rise of the internet's dollar."
Why Central Banks Should Embrace Stablecoins
OMFIF
"Stablecoins are no longer a niche experiment. They now have a market value in excess of $300bn, with annual transaction volumes surpassing Visa and Mastercard combined. That momentum is likely to accelerate following the Genius Act in the US, which introduces federal regulation and allows banks to issue stablecoins."
Block, Inc. Surpasses $200 Billion in Credit Provided to Customers, Continuing to Address Global Lending Gaps
Block, Inc.
"Block, Inc. announced it has provided access to more than $200 billion to customers in global lending across its portfolio of credit products, including Cash App Borrow, Afterpay, and Square Loans.¹ Through this work, Block is proving that with the right technology, inclusive lending and responsible risk management aren't opposing forces; rather, they're the foundation of sustainable credit for the next generation."
On the wires
The New York Stock Exchange Develops Tokenized Securities Platform
Business Wire
"The New York Stock Exchange announced its development of a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities, which it will seek regulatory approvals. The platform is part of a broader strategy, which includes preparing its clearing infrastructure to support 24/7 trading and the integration of tokenized collateral. They are working with banks (BNY and Citi) to support tokenized deposits across clearinghouses to help members transfer and manage money outside of banking hours over different jurisdictions and time zones.
Walmart-Backed PhonePe Gets SEBI Approval for India IPO
Reuters
"Walmart-backed Indian payments firm PhonePe has received regulatory approval for its stock market listing from the market regulator after confidentially filing for an initial public offering in September, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday."
PayPal Introduces Free DIY Tax Filing for PayPal Debit Card Customers
PR Newswire
"PayPal announced a new partnership with april, a leading embedded tax technology platform, allowing U.S. PayPal Debit Mastercard® customers to file their 2025 federal and state tax returns for free using april's DIY tax filing service, saving approximately $1603 in typical costs. With this partnership, PayPal keeps financial management in one convenient destination while expanding the suite of financial tools that help customers get more out of their money."
January 19, 2026
Top Post
AI in Shopping: Implications and a Value-Creating Roadmap for Retailers
Snowflake
"Even a passing familiarity with the spate of announcements in recent months makes clear that while the AI-in-shopping foundation remains distinctly unsettled, the longer-term direction of travel is clear....While some retailers like Amazon are initially blocking shopping agents, that strategy is not a viable one for most other companies. As consumer behavior shifts and the path to purchase increasingly flows through AI tools, retailers will be confronted with rising complexity across three core operational areas: inventory and fulfillment; customer service; and returns."
On the web
Gaming Brand Goes Live With Truelayer’s Pay by Bank Technology
Open Banking Expo
"bet365, one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming brands, has gone live with TrueLayer’s Pay by Bank technology – giving players a faster, safer way to directly deposit from and withdraw to their bank accounts. In a major milestone for the igaming industry, bet365 has made Pay by Bank the recommended payment option in its checkout."
India, China, South Africa, Other BRICS Nations to Explore Digital Currency Link to Crush Dollar
Business Insider Africa
"India has proposed that BRICS nations explore linking their official digital currencies to simplify cross-border trade and tourism payments, a move that could gradually reduce reliance on the US dollar as geopolitical tensions intensify."
Worldline and YouLend Launch Cash Advance to Unlock Fast, Seamless Capital for Europe’s SMBs
Worldline
"Worldline and YouLend announced the launch of Cash Advance, an innovative financing solution designed to empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with fast, data-driven access to capital. Cash Advance enables merchants to apply for funding through a simple, fully integrated user experience - eliminating traditional friction, paperwork, and uncertainty."
Cash Payments To Be Banned At Toll Plazas From April 1? [India]
NDTV
"India's highway travel is on the cusp of a digital transformation. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to implement a ban on cash payments at national highway toll plazas from April 1. Commuters will be required to use either FASTag or UPI to pay tolls, aiming to reduce congestion and streamline travel."
PNC Bank CEO Says Stablecoins Must Choose: Be a Payment Tool or a Money Market Fund
CoinDesk
"PNC Bank CEO Bill Demchak said stablecoins that pay interest resemble money market funds and should face the same regulations. His comments came as lawmakers continue to debate whether stablecoins can offer yield under the GENIUS and Clarity Acts. Demchak warned against letting stablecoins serve as both investment products and payment tools without clear regulatory oversight."
Capital One Sweetens Settlement Deal
U.S. News
"Capital One has agreed to amended $425 million settlement that would result in more compensation for affected 360 Savings customers. The settlement would resolve a lawsuit accusing Capital One of creating two similarly named savings accounts – 360 Savings and 360 Performance Savings – that paid substantially different interest rates and leaving customers in the dark about which account they held. Plaintiffs said the resulting confusion caused customers to lose millions in potential interest."
Bank of America Warns Stablecoins Could Drain $6 Trillion from Bank Deposits
Phemex
"Bank of America has cautioned that the rise of stablecoins could lead to a significant shift in U.S. bank deposits, potentially draining up to $6 trillion from the banking system. During a recent earnings call, CEO Brian Moynihan highlighted concerns that stablecoin adoption might reduce banks' lending capacity and increase borrowing costs. Moynihan noted that while Bank of America is prepared to adapt, the broader financial system could face challenges as deposits move into stablecoin environments."
January 16, 2026
On the web
Hong Kong Tightens Stablecoin Regulations for Non-Institutional Participants
Phemex
"Hong Kong has transitioned to a more stringent regulatory framework for stablecoins, impacting non-institutional participants significantly. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) now views stablecoins, particularly fiat-backed ones, as potentially systemic payment instruments. This shift requires issuers to obtain licenses from the Hong Kong Financial Services Authority (FSA) and meet high capital and reserve requirements, effectively filtering out non-compliant assets."
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