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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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June 12, 2026
On the web
Agentic Commerce and the ‘Legacy’ Payments Providers - The CEOs of Visa, Mastercard and Amex on Why There’s Life in the Old Dogs Yet
Diginomica
"With all things agentic top of the ‘to do’ list for both buyers and sellers, it comes as no surprise that agentic commerce is a top priority for traditional payments providers, such as the credit card companies. Recently three of the main players here - Visa, Mastercard, and American Express - outlined their thinking on this front to the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions conference."
Education: A 65-Year-Old Programming Language Called Cobol Still Quietly Processes over $3 Trillion in Banking Transactions Every Single Day
Make Tech Easier
"The next time you use an ATM, transfer money between accounts, or swipe a credit card at a checkout, there is a strong chance that somewhere behind the scenes — invisible, silent, and almost certainly running on a mainframe older than most of the building it sits in — a programming language called COBOL is doing the actual work. Roughly 220 billion lines of COBOL code remain in active use across financial institutions worldwide."
June 11, 2026
On the web
Mastercard Opens Card Rails to AI Agents With 30-Plus Crypto Partners
Defiant
"Mastercard launched Agent Pay for Machines (AP4M), extending its payments network to AI agents with 30-plus crypto and fintech partners including Coinbase, RippleX, Solana Foundation, Polygon, Aave Labs and Stellar. Agent Pay for Machines positions Mastercard's network as the governance and trust layer for commerce conducted entirely between software agents, without human checkout flows. The system covers credentialing registered agents, permissioning what they can spend, transacting via card and account rails, and settling in either traditional currencies or stablecoins."
Unstructured Data Needed, but Often Untapped, for Agentic AI
TechTarget
"While structured data such as financial records and point-of-sale transactions provides key information and is critical when building analytics and AI tools, unstructured data such as text in documents and emails and audio from customer interactions adds vital context that structured data can't provide. Autonomous AI applications require vast amounts of high-quality, contextually relevant data to deliver trustworthy outputs."
Agentic AI in Banks Won’t Make Workers Obsolete – They’ll Become More Important
Singapore Law Watch
"Artificial intelligence builders, investors and policymakers gathered in Singapore on June 10 for SuperAI – the real focus is on commercialisation: how companies can turn AI-driven efficiency into revenue growth, competitive advantage and new operating models. Explainability is commercially important, not just a regulatory necessity. The Financial Crimes AI Agent announced in May by FIS and Anthropic was built around that principle: Every conclusion links back to its source data, and every decision stays with the investigator."
On the wires
Maxio Launches the First Native Surcharging for B2B SaaS and AI Companies
Business Wire
"Maxio, a platform for billing automation and revenue management for B2B SaaS and AI companies, announced the launch of surcharging in Maxio Payments, the first native solution built specifically for subscription businesses. The new capability enables SaaS and AI companies to stop absorbing credit card processing fees and recover those costs directly within their existing billing workflows. Buyers who prefer to avoid the surcharge are offered ACH as an alternative, which carries lower processing costs."
June 10, 2026
On the web
BPI and TCH Comment on FedNow Cross-Border Payments Rule
Bank Policy Institute
"The Clearing House Association and the Bank Policy Institute appreciate the opportunity to respond to the proposed rule and request for comment on amendments to subpart C of Regulation J (governing the FedNow® Service). The Associations support the objectives of the Proposal to expand the use of always-on payments rails for cross-border payments and to settle the U.S. legs of cross-border funds transfers. While we generally support the Proposal, we propose recommendations to ensure that it can be successfully implemented by depository institutions."
Banking Circle Helps Power Bridge’s Global Money Movement Capabilities
Banking Circle
"Banking Circle announced a collaboration with Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure platform and a Stripe company, to support its global money movement capabilities through Banking Circle’s regulated, API-led banking infrastructure. Bridge is using Banking Circle’s infrastructure to enable businesses and developers to move stablecoins in and out of local currencies including EUR and GBP, with AUD support to be rolled out in Q3. Bridge will also use Banking Circle to send and receive USD globally via SWIFT."
Shopware Launches Shopware Payments in Partnership with PayPal
TNGlobal
"Shopware, a leading open-source ecommerce platform, announced the launch of Shopware Payments, its platform-native payments solution powered by PayPal. The solution enables merchants to activate and manage payments directly within Shopware while providing access to a comprehensive portfolio of market-relevant payment methods at checkout, including cards, digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, buy-now-pay-later options, and PayPal’s suite of payment experiences, including PayPal, Venmo, and PayPal Pay Later."
June 9, 2026
Top Post
US Judge OKs Visa, Mastercard $38 Billion Swipe Fee Settlement
U.S. News & World Report
"A U.S. judge on Tuesday granted preliminary approval to Visa's and Mastercard's revised $38 billion settlement with merchants who accused the card networks of charging too much to process payments on their credit cards. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn, New York ruled nearly two years after a different judge rejected a proposed $30 billion settlement as too small. The settlement announced last November was intended to end litigation that began in 2005, when merchants accused Visa, Mastercard and banks of conspiring to violate U.S. antitrust laws, including through the collection of "swipe fees."
June 8, 2026
On the web
South Carolina Enacts Digital Asset Protections and Regulatory Framework Exempting Developers and Miners from Licensure
JD Supra
"On May 19, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed into law S. 163, establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency in the state. The law prohibits any state governing authority from accepting or requiring payment using central bank digital currency (CBDC) or participating in any test of CBDC by the Fed or other federal agency."
June 5, 2026
Top Post
JPMorgan, Citi, and BofA Build Blockchain Network to Challenge Stablecoins Dominance
Coinpedia Fintech News
"The stablecoin market has grown from a crypto experiment into a potential threat to traditional banking. Therefore, now, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, and other major lenders are jointly preparing a blockchain-based deposit network designed to keep customer money inside banks. According to reports, America’s largest banks are working on a shared tokenized deposit network that could launch in the first half of 2027 through “The Clearing House”, a payments company owned by major U.S. banks."
On the web
Colorado Bill To Cut Sales Tax from Interchange Calculation Vetoed
Digital Transactions
"Colorado’s SB 26-134, a bill that would have eliminated sales tax as part of the interchange-fee calculation, has been vetoed by Gov. Jared Polis. SB 26-134, similar to the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2028, had Polis approved it. The contentious Illinois law, which has been delayed again to a July 1, 2027, implementation, differs in that it also excludes gratuities."
Introducing Cash App TAGS: A New Way to Pay
Business Wire
"Cash App is launching a new payment form factor that’s changing the shape of money. Cash App Tags are NFC-enabled, physical payment accessories that let customers pay without having to reach for their phone or card. The first-edition Cash App Tag—the pearlescent Cash App Wand—is now available for Cash App Card holders to purchase in the app, while supplies last."
June 3, 2026
On the web
MONEY20/20 Europe Day One: AI, Decacorns, and the Dawn of Agentic Commerce
Fintech Futures
"Money20/20 Europe has returned to the fintech conference circuit in Amsterdam this week with an agenda predominantly focused on AI and agentic governance, stablecoins, and innovation in payments. Here, FinTech Futures recounts the key highlights from day one, including panel coverage, major news announcements, and exclusive commentary from the industry’s biggest shakers."
June 2, 2026
Top Post
Controversial Credit Card Swipe Fee Law in Illinois Delayed Another Year
NBC Chicago
"A controversial credit card law that has been hotly debated in Illinois has been delayed once again amid ongoing legal challenges. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, dubbed the "credit card chaos" law by opponents, will now be delayed another year, lawmakers decided in Springfield. The act, which would prohibit banks, credit unions and credit card companies from collecting so-called “swipe fees” on the sales tax portion of transactions, as well as on tips paid using debit and credit cards, first passed in 2024 and was expected to take effect on July 1."
May 29, 2026
On the web
U.S. Faster Payments Council and ASC X9 Establish Joint Standards Steering Committee to Advance Faster Payments Standards Initiatives
Faster Payments Council
The U.S. Faster Payments Council and the Accredited Standards Committee X9 Inc. announced the formation of the FPC–ASC X9 Joint Standards Steering Committee, established to accelerate the adoption of faster payments by addressing standards-related barriers across the ecosystem. The Committee’s work represents the first phase of a long-term roadmap focused on alignment, prioritization of initiatives, expanded industry participation, and ongoing education to deliver tangible value to the faster payments ecosystem.
Education: Ripple vs SWIFT vs Visa: The Quiet Battle Over Cross-Border Payments
24/7 Wall St.
"Ripple now runs more than 300 financial institutions on the same ISO 20022 messaging standard SWIFT is adopting, letting it compete for bank settlement directly, though most of those banks still use its rails without touching XRP. SWIFT is building a blockchain settlement ledger with more than 30 banks across 16 countries, going live with real transactions in 2026, putting messaging and settlement on one layer for the first time in its roughly 50-year history."
May 28, 2026
On the web
Minnesota to Ban Crypto ATMs in August
ATM Marketplace
"Minnesota is set to become the third state to ban crypto ATMs, following in the footsteps of Indiana and Tennessee. Governor Tim Walz signed the bill earlier this month, which will officially ban crypto ATMs from operating in the state on Aug. 1, according to a report by Yahoo. From 2023 to 2025, Minnesota had 134 complaints surrounding crypto ATM scams, which accounted for close to $1 million in losses. In most cases, the scammer would generate fake emergencies by pretending to be law enforcement, romantic partners or family members."
Google’s Latest Commerce Moves Deepen the Battle over Agentic Shopping
Digiday
"If Google’s announcements signal anything, it’s that the platform wants to own the shopper journey from discovery to purchase. Google unveiled Universal Cart, dubbed an “intelligent shopping cart that works across retailers and across services,” including Gemini and search. A person can add things to their cart whether using Google search, Gemini, YouTube or Gmail. Once added to the cart, Universal Cart finds deals and price drops using Gemini models. When the shopper is ready to buy, they can check out using Google Pay."
Banking Groups Urge Regulators to Consider Stablecoin Risks
Banking Exchange
"In a joint letter, the American Bankers Association, the Bank Policy Institute, the Consumer Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America outlined recommendations for federal regulators to include in their annual report to Congress on stablecoins. The group identified concerns, including the vulnerability of payment stablecoin issuers to runs and the contagion risk from the rapid redemption of payment stablecoins both within and outside the stablecoin industry, as key risks to the wider financial market."
May 27, 2026
Top Post
ISO 20022: What Changes for Your Payments in November 2026
BNP Paribas
"From 15 November 2026, businesses must be prepared. SEPA and international payment messages will require structured or semi-structured addresses. Failure to comply may result in payments being delayed or even rejected. This change is part of ISO 20022. All businesses that initiate payments (whether domestic, cross-border or in foreign currencies) will be affected. The minimum information that must be structured in the payment message is the country code and the city name."
On the wires
Tencent Announces Three Initiatives to Make Inbound Payments for International Visitors Easier Than Ever During APEC 2026
PR Newswire
"Tencent launched the "2026 Inbound Payment Service Upgrade Initiative" with three measures: a collaboration between TenPay Global, Tencent's cross-border payment platform, and PayPal World which enables PayPal users to complete payments at Weixin Pay merchants in China by scanning QR codes; a 90-day transaction fee waiver of 3% for first-time users who link an international bank card to WeChat, on daily spending up to RMB 1,000; and the rollout of in-app payment guidance in 16 languages."
May 26, 2026
On the web
Paypal’s Online Checkout Empire Is Under Siege as Rivals Squeeze Its Core Business
ABC News
PayPal, a pioneer in online payments, is facing significant challenges nearly three decades after its inception.The iconic online payments company is facing its biggest challenge in nearly three decades of existence. Its core business of customers using the app to check out when shopping online is barely growing and new management has bluntly warned investors that “significant changes” will be needed to fix the company’s problems.
FIDO Alliance: Building the Trust Layer for Agentic Payments with AP2 and Verifiable Intent
FIDO Alliance
"As the industry moves toward agentic payments, where AI agents initiate and execute transactions under delegated authority, there is a growing recognition that we need a common foundation for trust. The contributions of Google’s Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) and Mastercard’s Verifiable Intent (VI), co-developed with Google, into the FIDO Alliance represent a pivotal step toward establishing that foundation. This post explores how standardization within the Alliance could shape the future of AI-driven commerce."
May 22, 2026
On the web
Peer-to-Peer Payments in the U.S. 2026: Where the Volume, Profit, and Fraud Are Now
TechBullion
"Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App are simply the way money moves between people now. The combined transaction value across the three networks is well past $1.5 trillion a year. According to Early Warning Services, Zelle alone moved roughly $1 trillion across 2024. PayPal’s 10-K shows Venmo at approximately $293 billion in payment volume that year. Block’s 10-K reports Cash App inflows of roughly $283 billion."
Education: AI Shopping Assistant Guide 2026: Agentic Commerce Protocols
Opascope
"This guide covers everything an ecommerce leader needs to know: the two competing protocols, how they work, what they cost, where Amazon fits (and doesn’t), and how to track conversions in a channel with no click data."
May 21, 2026
On the web
Why 2026 Could Be the Breakthrough Year for Corporate Crypto
The Global Treasurer
"For a decade, corporate crypto was "just one year away." As regulatory frameworks like MiCA and the GENIUS Act take hold, the conversation is shifting from innovation-led experimentation to strategic finance reality. Tyler Betts explores why 2026 marks the definitive inflection point for stablecoins as a critical operational upgrade for global treasury."
Ferrari Accepts Bitcoin and Crypto Payments in US and Europe
Crypto Briefing
"You can now buy a Ferrari with Bitcoin. The Italian luxury automaker has rolled out cryptocurrency payments across its US and European dealer networks, partnering with BitPay to process transactions in BTC, ETH, USDC, and XRP. Ferrari’s setup with BitPay converts crypto payments into fiat currency instantly. The moment a buyer sends their Bitcoin or Ether, BitPay locks in the exchange rate and delivers a fixed amount in local currency to the dealer. No price swings between the time the transaction initiates and the time it settles."
US Payments Forum Spring Market Snapshot: Agentic Commerce, Tokenization Increases Complexity and Authentication Enters New Fraud Era
GlobeNewswire News Room
"The U.S. Payments Forum is tapping into industry trends in its 2026 spring market snapshot. The report includes insights from top payment organizations gathered during the Forum’s Spring Member Meeting in Houston, Texas, co-located with the Secure Technology Alliance’s Identity & Payments Summit. This snapshot explores the growing pressure to make agentic commerce feasible across the payments ecosystem, tokenization’s expanding operational challenges and the need to rethink authentication as fraudsters test the limits of biometrics and digital identity."