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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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December 19, 2025
Top Post
Visa and Mastercard to Pay $167.5m to Settle Lawsuit Over ATM Fees
The Guaradian
"Visa and Mastercard have agreed to pay a combined $167.5m to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to keep ATM access fees artificially high. The proposed settlement was filed on Thursday in the federal district court in Washington and requires a judge’s approval. The accord would pay potentially millions of ATM users who were charged an unreimbursed access fee to withdraw cash from independent, non-bank ATMs. Visa would contribute about $88.8m and Mastercard about $78.7m to a settlement fund. The money would be distributed to eligible customers with qualifying ATM transactions made since October 2007."
Federal Reserve Board Publishes Its Biennial Report on Debit Card Transactions, Which Summarizes Information Collected From Large Debit Card Issuers and Payment Card Networks
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"The Board published its biennial report on debit card transactions, which summarizes information collected from large debit card issuers and payment card networks. The report, required by law, provides data on interchange fees, issuer costs, and fraud losses related to debit card transactions performed in 2023. [Click for Report]"
Visa Partners with Aldar to Complete First End to End Voice-Enabled Agentic Payment in the Region [UAE]
Visa Middle East
Visa and Aldar announced a strategic collaboration that marks the first live implementation of Visa Intelligent Commerce in the region, introducing end-to-end, voice-enabled agentic payment experiences. The first transaction saw a customer pay their real estate service charges on the Live Aldar mobile app, through an AI agent who took the customer through a simple, consent-led flow, confirming their details, and completing the transaction within seconds. The transaction used an Emirates NBD Darna Visa Credit Card, a co-branded credit card linked to Aldar’s digital loyalty platform, Darna.
On the web
OnePay Joins Google's Agent Payments Protocol to Define the Future of Agentic Payments
"OnePay announced it has joined Google's Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) to help make AI-driven, agentic payments more secure, transparent, and useful for consumers, merchants, and developers. As a Credential Provider in AP2, OnePay will help define how payment methods are stored, selected, and used safely by AI agents."
Federal Reserve Board Requests Public Input on “Payment Account,” Which Eligible Financial Institutions Could Use for the Limited Purpose of Clearing and Settling Their Payments
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"The Federal Reserve Board requested public input on a "payment account," which eligible financial institutions could use for the limited purpose of clearing and settling their payments. A payment account would be distinct from a master account, which is what financial institutions currently use to access payments services from the Fed. A payment account would not pay interest, not have access to Fed credit, and would be subject to balance caps, among other features that separate it from a master account."
Pay.UK and Vocalink Extend Contracts for UK Payments Backbone
Fintech Global
"Pay.UK and Vocalink, a Mastercard company, have agreed to multi-year extensions to their existing infrastructure contracts, a move designed to safeguard the continuity of the UK’s core interbank payment systems well into the early 2030s."
Amazon Business Prime Offers Small and Midsize Businesses Even More Value with New Benefits from Intuit QuickBooks, CrowdStrike, and Gusto
Amazon
"Business Prime customers have access to exclusive benefits with Intuit QuickBooks, CrowdStrike, and Gusto to support their financial management, cybersecurity, and Human Resources needs. Expanded benefits can help SMBs save nearly $1,000 per year, streamline operations, and simplify business buying. Savings build on Business Prime’s value, joining member benefits like fast, free shipping, Spend Visibility, Guided Buying, and flexible payment options."
JPMorgan’s Tokenized Dollars Are Quietly Rewiring How Wall Street Moves Money
CoinDesk
"The move from a private chain to Coinbase’s Base layer is driven by demand from institutions, JPMorgan said. The only cash equivalent options available in crypto are stablecoins, so there’s a need for a bank deposit product for payments on public chains, according to the Wall Street bank. Typically JPM Coin can be used on Base as a means to either keep collateral or make margin payments for transactions related to crypto purchases."
December 18, 2025
Top Post
Visa and Partners Complete Secure AI Transactions, Setting the Stage for Mainstream Adoption in 2026
Visa
"Visa Inc. announced a major milestone in the evolution of AI-powered commerce: hundreds of secure, agent-initiated transactions have now been successfully completed in collaboration with partners across the ecosystem. This breakthrough signals that 2025 will be the final year consumers shop and checkout alone, as AI agent-driven payments rapidly transition from experimentation to mainstream adoption."
On the web
Modern Treasury and Paxos Make It Easier for Businesses to Move Money with Stablecoins
Business Wire
"Modern Treasury announced a partnership with Paxos to make it easier for businesses to start using stablecoin payments alongside their existing payment methods. Under the partnership, Modern Treasury will integrate Paxos’ industry-leading stablecoin and settlement technology into its platform. This will allow businesses to originate, reconcile, and manage stablecoin payments with the same controls, transparency, and operational efficiency they expect from traditional payment methods."
Google Pay: Advancing Payments, Credit, and Commerce in India
"Google announced updates designed to help build financial confidence for everyone. Notable: Reimagining Everyday Credit with ‘Flex’; Pocket Money: Financial Confidence for the Next Generation, and over the last few months, launched new efforts to stay ahead of bad actors by preventing Screen-Sharing Scams; and AI-Powered Fraud Prevention."
PayPal to Use PYUSD Stablecoin to Fund AI Infrastructure Through USD.AI
Coindesk
"PayPal is extending the role of its PYUSD stablecoin into artificial intelligence finance, linking it to onchain funding mechanisms developed by USD.AI, a stablecoin protocol that provides credit to AI companies. Loans issued by USD.AI to finance graphics processing unit (GPUs), data centers and related AI infrastructure will be denominated in PYUSD, with borrowers able to receive proceeds directly into PayPal accounts, according to an announcement shared with CoinDesk."
Intuit and Circle Partner to Unlock the Future of Money Movement with Stablecoins
Intuit Inc.
"Intuit announced it has signed a multi-year, strategic partnership with Circle Internet Group, Inc., one of the world’s leading internet financial platform companies, to accelerate next-generation financial services powered by stablecoin technology. The agreement establishes a framework for Intuit to leverage Circle’s comprehensive stablecoin infrastructure and USDC across the Intuit platform."
SoFi Launches Fully Reserved Stablecoin to Power Financial Infrastructure for Banks, Fintechs, and Enterprise Partners
Business Wire
"SoFi Technologies, Inc. announced the launch of SoFiUSD, a fully reserved U.S. dollar stablecoin issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. SoFiUSD will enable SoFi to serve as a stablecoin infrastructure provider for banks, fintechs, and enterprise platforms. They will be able to leverage SoFi’s bank-grade infrastructure to streamline their operations with faster and more efficient money movement."
December 17, 2025
Top Post
Mastercard Boosts Africa Acceptance Network by 45% in 2025, Accelerating the Continent’s Digital Economy
Mastercard
"Mastercard has grown its acceptance network across Africa by 45 per cent in 2025 – a major milestone that brings millions more consumers and small businesses into the continent’s fast-expanding digital economy. This accelerated progress underscores the strong advancement of digital payments, technology, and innovation in Africa—a transformation that traditionally would have taken several years to accomplish."
On the web
Infographic: FedNow® Service Year In Review
FedNow
"The FedNow Service network has expanded to nearly 1,600 participants and is poised for continued growth. Momentum of the network is strong. Participating financial institutions are leveraging the service to meet demands, improve customer experience and gain a competitive edge. Check out our new infographic to see highlights from 2025."
AvidXchange Empowers ERP Partners with Accounts Payable as a Service
AvidXchange
"AvidXchange announced Accounts Payable as a Service, enabling ERP providers to deliver a fully integrated AP and payments experience that lets customers manage the entire process without leaving their ERP platform. Powered by AI-enhanced automation and backed by decades of AP expertise, AvidXchange connects customers instantly to its established payments ecosystem of more than 1.3 million suppliers – reducing setup time, accelerating supplier adoption, and driving scalable automation."
Amazon Pay Adds Support for Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments in India
Gadgets360
"Amazon Pay will now allow users to make UPI payments and send money to other users with biometric authentication in India, the company announced. This means that the app will no longer require users to enter their UPI PIN to complete transactions. The US-based tech giant claims that the new feature will enhance security, thanks to fingerprint and facial verification."
Cargill and J.P. Morgan Payments Transform Agricultural Payments in Brazil
J.P. Morgan
"The Pix implementation at Cargill presented an opportunity to further develop and evolve the payments process from the traditional electronic fund transfer system (TED) payment type and tap into the instant payment scheme that is increasingly being adopted across Brazil. By implementing Pix (Brazil real-time payments), an instant payment scheme created by the Banco Central do Brazil (BCB), through J.P. Morgan Payments, Cargill enabled real-time payment execution, optimized working capital cycles and helped ensure immediate fund availability for producers."
Digital Bank Monzo Gains a Full European Banking Licence
BetaNews
"UK-based digital bank Monzo has acquired a full banking licence from the Central Bank in Ireland, as well as from the European Central Bank. While Monzo’s European expansion is starting in Ireland, the digital bank has its eye set on numerous other European markets. There are already 14 million customers, including over 800,000 businesses, and this is a number that is due to increase dramatically in the coming months and years."
Deutsche Bank Launches Wero for More Simple and Sovereign Digital Payments in Europe
Deutsche Bank
"Deutsche Bank and Postbank are offering their clients the full range of functions of the new digital payment app Wero. Clients of both banks have been able to send and receive money in real time to family and friends across Europe with Wero, as well as pay in participating online shops. Postbank clients, who have already been able to transfer money to personal contacts with Wero since November 2024, have now been given the e-commerce function."
Akamai and Visa Collaborate to Build Trust in Agentic Commerce
Visa
"Akamai Technologies, Inc. announced a strategic collaboration with Visa to bring stronger identity, user recognition, and security controls to the emerging world of agentic commerce. Through its integration of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol with Akamai’s edge-based behavioral intelligence, user recognition, and bot and abuse protection, the companies will deliver the identity, authentication, and fraud controls required to let merchants confidently welcome AI agents with commerce intent into their digital storefronts."
New York City FC Announces PazeSM Online Checkout from Early Warning as the First Founding Partner of Etihad Park
Early Warning
"New York City FC and Early Warning Services announced a multi-year partnership naming PazeSM the first Founding Partner of Etihad Park and the Official Online Checkout and Official Digital Wallet of New York City FC. As the Official Online Checkout of New York City FC and Etihad Park, Paze will be showcased on club channels and throughout the venue, including the newly named PazeSM City Square. The partnership begins in 2026, allowing both organizations to activate and engage well ahead of the new stadium’s 2027 opening."
On the wires
Nuvei Among the First Companies Licensed Under EU MiCAR
PR Newswire
"Nuvei announced that it has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), positioning the company among the first to operate under the EU's regulatory framework for crypto assets. The MiCAR license enables Nuvei to provide regulated crypto-asset services across the European Union and passport those services across EU member states under a single regulatory regime. This simplifies expansion for merchants and platforms seeking to deploy crypto-enabled payment and settlement capabilities across multiple European markets."
December 16, 2025
Top Post
Visa Launches Stablecoin Settlement in the United States, Marking a Breakthrough for Stablecoin Integration
Visa
"Visa Inc. announced the launch of USDC settlement in the United States, marking a major milestone in the company’s stablecoin settlement pilot program and strategy to modernize its settlement layer underpinning global commerce. For the first time, U.S. issuer and acquirer partners can settle with Visa in Circle’s USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin. Initial banking participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, which have started settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain. Broader availability in the U.S. is planned through 2026."
On the web
FDIC Proposes Application Process for Banks Seeking to Issue Stablecoins
ABA Banking Journal
"The FDIC proposed rulemaking to establish a process under which banks and savings institutions can seek agency approval to issue stablecoins through a subsidiary, as allowed by the GENIUS Act passed by Congress earlier this year. According to a staff summary of the proposal, institutions would be required to submit applications with a description of the proposed payment stablecoin and the proposed activities of the subsidiary of the applicant..."
OCC Approves Trust Charters for Stablecoin Firms: What It Means for Regulated Digital Payments
Modern Treasury
"On Friday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced it has granted conditional approval for five digital-asset firms—including major stablecoin platforms and institutional custody providers—to establish national trust banks. This development arrives in the wake of the GENIUS Act, which introduced clearer guardrails for stablecoin reserves, disclosures, and operational standards. While these charters do not permit deposit-taking or provide FDIC insurance, they represent major federal action in defining a supervised pathway for stablecoin issuance, custody, and blockchain-based payments."
Announcing 2026 Federal Reserve Financial Services Fees and Payment System Enhancements
Federal Reserve
"Federal Reserve Financial Services (FRFS) customers can expect in 2026 ongoing enhancements to the services, including, helping combat payments fraud: Payee Name Verification an addition to the FedDetect Notification Services; A FedNow pilot program is underway for an upcoming network intelligence tool that will allow financial institutions sending transactions over the FedNow Service to do a “pre-check” on receiver accounts before making an instant payment & support of expanding APIs. To continue providing a level of service, some prices are being adjusted, and some are unchanged."
Klarna Launches Agentic Product Protocol: The Open Standard That Makes 100M+ Products Instantly Discoverable by AI Agents
Klarna
"Klarna announced the launch of its Agentic Product Protocol, a new open standard that makes every product on the internet easily discoverable and understandable by AI agents. As AI becomes the new interface for commerce, Klarna’s Agentic Product Protocol gives AI systems access to a live, structured feed of more than 100 million products and 400 million prices standardized across 12 markets. The protocol establishes the structured foundation that allows agents to find, compare, and recommend real products."
Mastercard and LoanPro Announce Partnership to Modernize Lending
Mastercard
"Mastercard and LoanPro today announced a new strategic partnership to launch Loan on Card, a solution designed to enable lenders to deliver loans to approved consumer and small business borrowers through virtual and physical card-based experiences. Set to launch in 2026, Loan on Card will provide borrowers with instant access to funds that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted."
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