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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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February 12, 2026
Top Post
In a Blow to the Banks, Pioneering Swipe Fee Law Survives First Legal Challenge
Capitol News Illinois
"A federal judge has upheld a first-of-its-kind Illinois law that protects consumers and retailers from paying so-called credit card “swipe fees” on taxes and tips. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was passed in late 2024 and immediately challenged by banks and credit unions. Illinois Bankers Association and Illinois Credit Union League announced after the ruling they would file an appeal in coming days."
On the web
Uber Eats Layers Agentic AI Into Grocery Shopping
EMARKETER
"Uber Eats is boosting its grocery delivery push with an AI assistant. The feature, called Cart Assistant, helps customers build a shopping cart using text or images, such as a handwritten grocery list or screenshot of recipe ingredients. It can automatically consider product availability and offer store-level details like prices and applicable promotions. Zooming out: The new tool is part of a larger effort from Uber to integrate agentic AI across its platform and provide more value to users,"
74% of Asia Pacific Consumers Already Use AI to Shop, But Trust and Transparency Hold the Key to Checkout: Visa Survey
Visa
"Visa released new survey findings on the state of digital commerce in Asia Pacific, revealing that while consumers are increasingly using AI to shop, concerns over security and transparency are creating hesitation at the crucial moment of checkout. With Asia Pacific’s rapid shift towards digital commerce and mobile-first shopping, the research shows that consumers are drawing a clear line between using AI to help them browse and trusting the same technology to handle their money and personal data. Demonstrating clearly how AI is used to spark discovery and securely handle payments is critical for consumers to feel confident using the technology to shop and pay."
Banks Caution Against Relaxing Standards for Fed Account Access to Preserve Financial Stability
The Clearing House
"The Bank Policy Institute, Financial Services Forum and The Clearing House Association responded to the Federal Reserve’s request for input on a special-purpose payment account, sometimes referred to as a “skinny master account.” This proposal would relax Federal Reserve master account access standards by introducing a new type of account aimed at payments companies. The associations warned that granting direct access to the Fed’s payment infrastructure to lesser-regulated institutions without sufficient guardrails could increase payment system risks and undermine financial stability."
Bank of England Launches Pilot for Tokenized Asset Settlement
Banking Exchange
"The Bank of England has launched a pilot program to test how tokenized assets could be settled in sterling, as it looks to modernize the UK’s core payments infrastructure. The initiative, known as the ‘Synchronisation Lab’, will bring together 18 firms to test how payments in central bank money could be synchronized with transactions on distributed-ledger platforms."
American Express Launches Flexible Payment Option to Help Support Small Business Cashflow
American Express
"American Express announced the introduction of Flexible Payment Option (FPO), a feature designed to offer businesses greater ability to manage and control their cashflow needs with an instant line of credit. FPO is available for new American Express Business Platinum and Gold Cardmembers, providing them the option to repay their statement balance in full or pay a portion over time, with interest. Business Cardmembers also continue to get up to 54 calendar days interest free until their payment is due."
Alipay AI Pay Solution Hits 120M Transactions as Chinese Shoppers Tap Agentic Commerce
Retail Technology Innovation Hub
"Alipay reports that AI Pay, a solution that enables payment through AI agents, exceeded 120 million transactions in the past week. Launched in 2025, this has expanded into various use cases, including AI agents in apps and mini programmes for bricks and mortar retailers like Luckin Coffee, as well as in AI smart glasses like Rokid. In December, Alipay collaborated with Rokid to enable developers to integrate AI payment into the AI agents they build on Rokid’s Lingzhu platform."
New Jersey Senators Introduce Four Bills Targeting Online Gambling Marketing and Payments
Yogonet
"New Jersey lawmakers have introduced four Senate bills that would revise how online casinos and sportsbooks engage with customers, focusing on promotional outreach, account limits, and payment methods, in a bid to encourage responsible gambling: SB 3401: Ban on push notifications and text promotions; SB 3461: Credit card funding prohibited; SB 3419 and SB 3420: Account limits and incentive restrictions."
What Spending Data Tells Us About Cyberattacks
Mastercard
"Asahi Group, maker of Japan’s best-selling beer, was struck by a cyberattack last fall that was so severe the company had to shut down many computer systems and fill orders using pen, paper and fax machines. The disruption cascaded to Asahi’s supply chain, bars and restaurants, and consumers. This attack is representative of the new face of cybercrime, with digital assaults inflicting broader economic damage and causing greater global losses each year. This trend is creating a stronger connection between cyberattacks and the global economy."
February 11, 2026
Top Post
Zelle® Posts 20% Growth with $1.2 Trillion Sent, Far Outpacing Consumer Spending and Cementing Its Role in the U.S. Economy
Early Warning
"In 2025, American consumers and small businesses sent more than $1.2 trillion using Zelle®, marking the second consecutive trillion-dollar year and delivering 20% year-over-year growth in total dollars sent. That growth occurred at a nearly six-times-faster clip than U.S. consumer spending (3.5%) and business investment (3.2%) in the third quarter of 2025, underscoring the vital role the Zelle plays as a foundational financial tool in the U.S. economy."
On the web
China’s First Group of Migrant Workers Gets Paid in Digital Yuan
Yicai Global
"Migrant workers at a construction site in Chengdu have become the first in China to receive their wages in e-yuan, the official digital currency issued by the country’s central bank. Bank of Communications paid more than CNY1 million (USD140,000) in wages to 104 migrant workers. BOC used the e-yuan smart contract ecosystem service platform. The bank opened an e-yuan corporate wallet for the project's general contractor and embedded a smart payroll contract, achieving closed-loop management and direct full payment of wages, thereby preventing potential misappropriation or diversion of funds at the source."
Illinois Merchants Score a Big Win in Their Battle for Interchange Relief
Digital Transactions
"Illinois merchants scored a big victory late Tuesday in their battle for interchange relief as United States District Court Judge Virginia Kendall upheld the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The law exempts Illinois merchants from paying interchange on sales tax and gratuities linked to credit and debit card transactions. In exchange, the state will cap what merchants earn for collecting sales tax at $1,000 per month."
Jack Dorsey’s Cash App Eliminates Fees on Large Bitcoin Purchases and Recurring Buys
Crypto Briefing
"Jack Dorsey-backed Cash App is eliminating fees on Bitcoin purchases exceeding $2,000 and all recurring buys, according to a recent announcement. The policy change, which targets both transaction fees and spreads, is part of a set of Bitcoin-focused updates aimed at making the leading digital asset more practical for everyday use, the team stated."
Credit Card Debt Tops $1.28 Trillion — Consistent With ‘K-Shaped’ Economic Divide, New York Fed Research Shows
CNBC
"Americans ended 2025 more in debt than ever before. Credit card balances hit a fresh high in the fourth quarter, rising by $44 billion to $1.28 trillion, according to a new report on household debt by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released Tuesday. That’s a 5.5% jump from a year earlier. The central bank’s monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations , released Monday, also found that fewer consumers expect their households’ financial situations to be better off a year from now — and a larger share expect to be worse off."
FCA Brings BNPL Under Full Consumer Credit Regulation
IBS Intelligence
"The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has introduced a new set of consumer protection measures for the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) market. Under the updated framework, BNPL providers will be subject to the FCA’s Consumer Duty, which requires firms to demonstrate they are delivering good outcomes for retail customers. The regulator will also mandate proportionate affordability checks, alongside enhanced requirements around customer support and communications."
Adyen Launches ‘Personalize’ to Tailor Checkout Experiences in Real-Time
Adyen
"Adyen announced the launch of Personalize, a new product within its Adyen Uplift payment optimization suite. Personalize allows businesses to adjust their checkout pages in real-time based on individual shopper preferences, making it easier for customers to pay while reducing processing costs for the merchant."
When AI Clicks “Pay”: The Emerging Compliance Risks of Agentic Commerce
JD Supra
"AI-driven “agentic commerce” is no longer theoretical. Today’s AI assistants can already search for products, compare options, populate shopping carts, check out, initiate payment, and make returns, all on behalf of a person who may never see the website on which a transaction is executed on their behalf. In some cases, users move all the way through checkout using stored payment credentials. While many systems still operate within guardrails (e.g., requiring human user confirmation or operating under preset limits), the direction is clear: AI agents are beginning to autonomously initiate and execute financial transactions on consumers’ behalf."
Stripe Adds X402 Integration for USDC Agent Payments on Base
The Block
"Stripe has unveiled a preview of machine payments on its platform, integrating the x402 protocol to enable developers to charge AI agents directly using the USDC stablecoin on the Base network. Jeff Weinstein, product lead at Stripe, wrote on X on Tuesday that the deployment would eventually expand to include additional protocols, currencies, and blockchains. The system utilizes the PaymentIntents API to allow businesses to programmatically charge AI agents for API usage, Model Context Protocol calls, and HTTP requests."
NCUA Proposes Rule for Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer Applications
NCUA
"The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rule Making outlining the framework for applicants seeking NCUA approval to become a permitted payment stablecoin issuer, as outlined in the GENIUS Act. “This proposed rule is the first step in NCUA’s implementation of the GENIUS Act” said NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman. “We’re on track to meet the Congress’ July 18 deadline. Credit unions should be aware that they won’t be at a disadvantage versus other entities, whether in timing or standards.” The comment period on the proposed rule will close on April 13, 2026."
Intuit Launches New AI-Powered Construction Edition for Intuit Enterprise Suite
Intuit Inc.
"Intuit announced the launch of a new construction edition for Intuit Enterprise Suite, an AI-native, end-to-end ERP built specifically for the complex realities of the $2 trillion construction industry. Purpose-built for mid-market construction businesses, the new solution brings project, financial, and operational workflows together in one place, helping customers streamline operations, improve cash flow, and deliver real-time visibility into performance to drive profitable growth at scale. These new construction capabilities are also available as a module for Intuit QuickBooks Online Advanced customers."
February 10, 2026
Top Post
New Pay by Bank Offering Powers Amazon Purchases Directly From Shoppers’ UK Bank Accounts
Retail Technology Innovation Hub
"Amazon has launched Pay by Bank, a new payment method on amazon.co.uk that allows customers to complete retail purchases directly from their UK bank accounts, with the ability to do so for their Prime membership coming soon. This avoids the need to enter or store card details by establishing a connection between customers and their existing banks. Security is maintained through the customer's own banking app, using their established biometric authentication or PIN verification systems."
On the web
Deel Partners with MoonPay to Enable Stablecoin Salary Payouts for Global Workers
PR Newswire
"MoonPay, a leader in global crypto payments and stablecoin infrastructure, announced a new partnership with Deel, the all-in-one global payroll and HR platform. Together, MoonPay and Deel will further enhance stablecoin salary payouts for workers and expand these capabilities to employees around the world, offering a faster and more flexible way to get paid. Deel helps companies hire, manage, pay, and equip any worker, anywhere. This partnership builds on Deel's continued expansion into crypto-enabled payroll."
Why UK Payment Infrastructure Reform Could Reshape Digital Commerce
TechHQ
"The UK’s payment infrastructure is getting its biggest upgrade in nearly two decades, and the implications extend beyond faster checkout times. In a speech at the City & Financial Payments Regulation and Innovation Summit, Bank of England deputy governor Sarah Breeden outlined how a new institutional model, one that combines public oversight with private sector delivery, aims to reshape the economics and functionality of digital commerce."
Social Engineering Breach Exposes 1.4 Million Betterment Customer Records
Digital Watch Observatory
"Betterment has confirmed a data breach affecting around 1.4 million customers after a January 2026 social engineering attack on a third-party platform. Attackers used the access to send fraudulent crypto scam messages posing as official promotions. The breach occurred after an employee was tricked into sharing login credentials, allowing unauthorised access to internal messaging systems rather than core investment infrastructure. Attackers used the access to send messages promising multiply cryptocurrency deposits sent to external wallets."
Adyen and Uber Expand Global Partnership to Power New Markets, Launch Uber Kiosks
Adyen
"Adyen and Uber announced the renewal and expansion of their global partnership. Building on more than a decade of successful collaboration first starting in 2012, Adyen continues to serve as a key payments engine supporting Uber's global footprint, which now spans over 70 countries across six continents. The expanded partnership reflects Uber’s growing use of Adyen’s global payments platform to enhance performance and offer more alternative payment methods, to support Uber’s continued international growth."
On the wires
accesso® and Adyen Expand Strategic Partnership to Enhance Platform Payments Capabilities at Global Scale
PR Newswire
"accesso Technology Group a technology solutions provider to leisure, entertainment, and cultural markets, announced the expansion of its long-standing strategic partnership with Adyen. This collaboration integrates embedded payments as a core platform capability across the accesso ecosystem. Together, accesso and Adyen's partnership is designed to deliver the scale and reliability required for complex, high-volume environments spanning multiple regions and sales channels."
Ingenico Launches Next-Generation AXIUM Payment Device Family and Ingenico 360 Unified Cloud Platform
PR Newswire
"Ingenico announced the launch of its next-generation AXIUM payment device family and Ingenico 360, a unified cloud platform designed to deliver consistent, enterprise-grade payment experiences while simplifying large-scale payment operations. The new AXIUM family is built on a common architecture that spans mobile, countertop, multilane, self-service, PIN pad, and SoftPOS form factors. Every AXIUM device shares the same core design principles, is certified to PCI PTS v7, and runs Android 14, ensuring consistent security, compliance, and behavior across global deployments."
February 9, 2026
Top Post
The Hidden Costs of Credit Card Surcharging
Digital Transactions
"A surcharge is more complicated than just slapping a fee on a card transaction. For one thing, it’s fraught with myriad compliance and consumer issues. That doesn’t mean there won’t be more of it. Merchant surcharging on credit card transactions is nothing new, but the practice has become more widespread in recent years. The reasons vary, including merchants’ search for ways to offset card-acceptance costs and the onset of higher operating expenses that squeeze profit margins."
On the web
Japan’s Stablecoin Boom Reveals a Two Track Market
Cryptopolitan
"Japan’s stablecoin market is heating up, with a number of new partnerships forming around the country’s first yen-backed stablecoin. Banks and major businesses are now piloting both yen- and dollar-backed stablecoins for real world payments. But a clear split is taking shape. While USD stablecoins dominate global transactions, yen-backed coins are being positioned as a low-cost, homegrown option for domestic commerce and business settlements."
On the wires
ByteFederal Australia Launches ByteConnect
PR Newswire
"ByteFederal Australia, in strategic partnership with ByteFederal Inc. (USA) announced the national launch of ByteConnect, a fully integrated, Bitcoin-enabled Payment Terminal and Online Payment Gateway leveraging blockchain technology to enable Australian merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments within a robust compliance and operational framework."
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