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.
Search Payments News
May 15, 2025
On the web
Apple Is Placing Warnings on EU Apps That Don’t Use App Store Payments
The Verge
"Apple suggests that users are putting themselves at risk by using third-party alternatives. Apple is trying to dissuade Europeans from using iOS apps that support alternative payment options by making them look scary. Daring Fireball’s John Gruber spotted that a red exclamation mark icon is being prominently displayed on the App Store listing for Instacar, alongside a message warning users that it doesn’t use Apple’s “private and secure payment system.”"
May 9, 2025
On the web
Apple Tries to Delay Ruling That Bars It From Taking a Cut on External App Payments
TechCrunch
"In an attempt to protect a valuable revenue stream, Apple is trying to delay a court ruling that forces the company to let iOS app developers in the U.S. redirect users to external payment systems and avoid paying a commission to the iPhone maker. The company filed an emergency motion late on Wednesday, asking an appeals court to grant a partial stay on a previous ruling."
May 2, 2025
On the web
Apple Changes US App Store Rules to Let Apps Link to External Payment Systems
TechCrunch
"Apple has changed its App Store rules in the U.S. to let apps link users to their own websites so they can buy subscriptions or other digital goods. This change comes after a U.S. court ruled in favor of Epic Games in a case against the iPhone maker, ordering the latter not to prohibit apps from including features that could redirect users to their own websites for making digital purchases."
April 2, 2025
Top Post
Visa Offers Apple Roughly $100 Million to Take Over Credit Card From Mastercard
WSJ
"Visa has offered Apple a roughly $100 million payment to get the tech giant’s credit card, part of a battle between the country’s biggest payment networks for the splashy Apple card." [Subscription Required]
March 19, 2025
On the web
Apple Wallet Gets Deeper Integration With PayPal's Debit Card This Year
MacRumors
"In the final sentence of an October 2024 press release, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Apple Pay, Apple said iPhone users in the U.S. would be able to see their PayPal balance when using their PayPal debit card in the Wallet app. Apple said this feature would launch in 2025, so it should arrive in a future iOS 18 or iOS 19 update."
March 18, 2025
On the web
Apple Introduces Tap To Pay on iPhone in More European Countries
Apple
"Apple today introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland, enabling millions of merchants to use iPhone to seamlessly and securely accept in-person, contactless payments. In collaboration with payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks."
November 22, 2024
On the web
Apple, Google to Face UK Probe Over Mobile Browser Dominance
BNN Bloomberg
"Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. are set to face a formal investigation over their dominance of web browsers on cell phones, the UK’s antitrust regulator said in a provisional decision aimed at curbing the tech giants’ stranglehold on mobile operating systems."
October 22, 2024
On the web
Apple Says Support for Redeeming Rewards With More Partners Is Coming to Apple Pay
TechCrunch
"Apple recently celebrated 10 years with Apple Pay and announced how the service will evolve in the future, including features like redeeming rewards and expanding installment loan options. In addition to Apple Pay’s newly added support for loan options from Affirm in the U.S., and Monzo Flex in the U.K., the iPhone maker shared that support for Klarna will go live in the two countries, including both at checkout online and in-app with Apple Pay."
October 17, 2024
Top Post
Apple Celebrates 10 Years of Apple Pay
Apple Newsroom
"Today, Apple Pay is used by hundreds of millions of consumers in 78 markets, at checkout on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores worldwide, and is supported by more than 11,000 bank and network partners."
August 14, 2024
On the web
Apple Pressures Tencent to Block Loopholes That Allow WeChat to Bypass App Store Fees
9to5Mac
"Apple is pushing Tencent and ByteDance to “close loopholes” that currently allow their apps to skirt the App Store’s in-app purchase system, according to a new report from Bloomberg."
Apple Is Finally Going to Open up iPhone Tap-To-Pay
The Verge
"Secure Element starting with iOS 18.1, and as part of the update, you’ll also be able to set a default contactless payment app that’s accessible when you double-click your iPhone’s side button. Previously, Apple has only allowed Apple Pay to appear when you double-click that button."
Tencent Says in Talks With Apple About Mini Games Mobile Revenue
Yahoo Finance
"Tencent Holdings Ltd. acknowledged for the first time it’s in discussions with Apple Inc. about sharing the revenue that flows through its popular WeChat mini games, a potentially significant move for China’s mobile developer ecosystem."
August 2, 2024
On the web
Apple Is Fighting Tencent and Bytedance Over In-App Payments in China
Engadget
"Apple has been pressuring ByteDance and Tencent to close loopholes in China that funnel customers to external payment systems for making in-app purchases, according to a report by Bloomberg."
July 11, 2024
Top Post
Apple Reaches Deal With EU Regulators to Open up Mobile Payments System to Rivals
CNBC
"EU antitrust regulators on Thursday accepted commitments from Apple to allow access to its tap-and-go payments technology to rivals, bringing an end to a four-year investigation."
June 24, 2024
On the web
Apple to Delay AI Rollout in Europe
bankinfosecurity
"Apple said in a Friday statement it will delay the rollout of artificial intelligence-powered features on smartphones in Europe, citing European law meant to rein in the power of large tech companies."
June 17, 2024
Top Post
Apple Discontinuing Apple Pay Later, Ahead of New Features Launching This Fall
9to5Mac
"Apple has announced that it is no longer offering Apple Pay Later, the “buy now, pay later” service that launched in the United States last year. The change goes into effect starting today, Apple says. Existing users with open Apple Pay Later loans will still be able to manage them via the Wallet app."
June 11, 2024
On the web
Affirm Buy Now, Pay Later Loans Will Be Embedded Into Apple Pay Later This Year
CNBC
"Apple device users will soon be able to tap into buy now, pay later loans from Affirm for purchases, the companies said Tuesday. Affirm will surface as an option for U.S. Apple Pay users on iPhones and iPads later this year, the San Francisco-based fintech company said in a filing. Apple confirmed the news in its own update."
June 10, 2024
On the web
Santander’s Zinia Becomes Provider of Consumer Finance Services for Apple in Germany
Santander
"Grupo Santander's financing platform becomes the financier for Apple in Germany, both in Apple stores and online. Zinia has been present in Germany since 2022 and offers a range of financing solutions (buy now pay later and installments, among others)."
IOS 18 Includes Tap to Cash, Easily Send Money to Friends With Apple Pay
9to5Mac
"iOS 18 includes Tap to Cash, a new way to send money to your friends using Apple Pay Cash. By simply bringing your phone close to a friend, you can send money instantly – transferring from your Apple Cash account."
May 24, 2024
On the web
Tap to Pay on iPhone Now Available in Canada
9to5Mac
"Tap to Pay on iPhone is continuing its rollout to more countries. Less than a week after the service debuted in Japan, Apple is bringing seamless, iPhone-centric contactless payments to Canada."
May 2, 2024
Top Post
Apple, Google and Venmo Fight New U.S. Plan to Monitor Payment Apps
Washington Post
"The U.S. government is weighing whether to treat Apple, Google and PayPal-owned Venmo more like banks — and regularly inspect some of their operations — in a move meant to protect millions of Americans who now use their smartphones to pay at the register and send money to family and friends."
April 8, 2024
On the wires
SUNRATE Brings Apple Pay to its Commercial Credit Card Customers
PR Newswire
"SUNRATE, a global payment and treasury management platform, brings its customers Apple Pay, a safer, more secure and private way to pay, and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction."
March 28, 2024
On the wires
Apple Defeats Consumers’ Crypto-Payment Antitrust Case for Now
Reuters
"A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed a consumer lawsuit accusing Apple of driving up fees at platforms such as Venmo and Cash App by prohibiting payment apps from implementing cryptocurrency transactions."
March 14, 2024
On the web
Stripe Officially Launches Apple Pay Later Support, Now Enabled by Default for Merchants
9to5Mac
"Stripe has supported Apple Pay Later for most merchants since last March, but the feature is officially rolling out to everyone this week."
March 11, 2024
On the web
Australia’s Top Banker Renews Warning on Apple Payments
Yahoo Finance
"Commonwealth Bank of Australia Chief Executive Officer Matt Comyn renewed his warning on Apple Inc.’s power over the nation’s payments market, reigniting a years-long dispute about competition in a booming area of finance."
February 28, 2024
On the wires
Experian Consumer Credit Reports to Now Include Apple Pay Later Loan Information
Business Wire
"In a move towards greater transparency and responsible credit reporting in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) industry, Experian® announced it will now include “pay-in-4” BNPL loan information from Apple Pay Later on consumers’ credit reports, making Apple the first major BNPL provider to fully furnish “pay-in-4” loan information and payment history directly to the credit reporting agency."
February 12, 2024
On the web
Apple Cash Will Offer Virtual Card Numbers for Online Shopping
Engadget
"Apple Cash may soon offer a "virtual card number" in the iOS 17.4 beta that can be used to shop online where Apple Pay isn't available, according to a Reddit post spotted by 9to5Mac."
February 8, 2024
On the web
Charted: Apple’s Product Revenue (2007-2023)
Visual Capitalist
"Since the iPhone’s launch in 2007, Apple’s product launches have continuously diversified the company’s revenue sources. This infographic illustrates Apple’s revenue by product between 2007 and 2023, based on the company’s 10-K filings for the period."
January 30, 2024
On the web
Spotify CEO Slams Apple’s App Store Changes; Apple Fires Back
9to5Mac
"Apple is facing more criticism for its announced its plan about how it plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Union."
January 26, 2024
Top Post
Apple Announces Changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union
Business Wire
"...the changes include: New options for using payment service providers (PSPs); New options for processing payments via link-out; Business planning tools"
Take us with you
Payments on Fire is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and other podcast apps and services. Or just say “Alexa, play Payments on Fire podcast.”
