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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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April 8, 2026
On the web
AP+ and Bolt Group Announce the Next Chapter for Popular Peer to Peer Payments App, Beem [Australia]
Australian Payments Plus
"Australian Payments Plus (AP+) has signed an agreement for Bolt to acquire its consumer payments app, Beem. Over the years, Beem has spearheaded the group expense tracking trend and achieved more than 3 million app downloads, while maintaining an average app store rating of 4.9 out of 5. The sale of Beem reflects a deliberate move for AP+ to sharpen its focus on the role it plays in building and operating Australia’s critical payments and identity infrastructure, including eftpos, the NPP, ConnectID and BPAY.”"
April 6, 2026
On the web
Aussies Face Grim Warning Amid New Bank
Yahoo Finance
"One of Australia’s most hated hidden fees has been removed. The RBA released its review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging, recommending three changes to Australia’s payment network. These include removing surcharges which will be banned from October 1, with businesses now having to display the entire cost - including credit charges – as part of the sticker price. The RBA is reducing interchange fees – which are paid by a business’ bank to the customer’s bank, will be lowered while the RBA promised to ensure increased transparency surrounding fees charged by card networks."
March 31, 2026
Top Post
Reserve Bank of Australia Determines Hidden Debit Tap and Go Surcharge to Be Removed [Video]
News
"One of Australia’s most hated hidden fees has been scrapped. The RBA released its long-awaited review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging. As part of three key changes, the RBA says it is removing surcharging on debit, prepaid and credit cards across eftpos, MasterCard and Visa networks. The surcharges will be removed by October 1, 2026. Another change announced will lower the amount that businesses pay card merchants to use their services. Under the changes, the “interchange cap” will be dropped from 0.8 to 0.3 per cent for domestic-issued consumer credit card transactions. The RBA will also increase the transparency of card payment fees by requiring the likes of eftpos, MasterCard and Visa to publish the fees they charge."
On the web
An Update on the Move to New Payments Platform [Australia]
Australian Payments Plus
"In this update, we share the latest on payday super, key focus areas, industry progress towards the modernisation of A2A payments and the proposed bulk solution. The move to faster, more efficient superannuation payments is underway, with payday super legislation taking effect in July 2026. Real-time super payments via the NPP will play a central role in facilitating fast, secure, data-rich payments that will improve transparency and efficiency for employers, super funds and employees."
March 11, 2026
On the web
Ripple to Acquire Australian Financial Services License as APAC Payments Volume Doubles
CoinDesk
"Ripple plans to acquire BC Payments Australia to secure an Australian Financial Services License, enabling it to offer its full payments stack in the country through a single integration. The company says payments volume in the Asia-Pacific region nearly doubled year-over-year in 2025, contributing to a reported $100 billion in total processed volume across 60 markets."
March 10, 2026
On the web
Banks Hit Major Milestones as Scam-Fighting Technology Stops Thousands of Risky Transfers
Australian Payments Plus
"Australians have now used Confirmation of Payee over 100 million times since the service was launched in July 2025, marking a major milestone in the banking industry’s efforts to protect consumers and businesses from scams and mistaken payments. Part of the banking sector’s Scam-Safe Accord, Confirmation of Payee adds another layer of protection by allowing customers to confirm if the account name, BSB and account number match the details held by the recipient bank, all before hitting send."
February 9, 2026
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."
December 16, 2025
On the web
NPP Adoption Climbs as Australia Shifts to Real-Time Payments
Australian Payments Plus
Australia’s payments system is transforming as consumers, businesses and government agencies increasingly move to real-time, data-rich digital payments. According to the RBA’s latest Retail Payments data, in the 12 months up to October 2025, 1.82bn transactions were processed through the NPP, a near 14% uplift year on year. AusPayNet has updated timing considerations for the decommissioning of BECS [Bulk Electronic Clearing System]. While large-scale transitions take time, Australia’s move to real-time, data-rich payments is already well advanced.
November 4, 2025
On the web
Payday Super to Deliver Stronger Retirement Outcomes for Australians
Australian Payments Plus
"Australian Payments Plus (AP+) has welcomed the passing of payday super legislation, which will help improve retirement savings for millions of Australians by ensuring superannuation contributions are paid at the same time as wages. The New Payments Platform (NPP), operated by AP+ will play a central role in enabling payday super. The ATO in August approved the NPP as a payment method for superannuation contributions and confirmed that, from July 2026, all super funds must be able to receive superannuation payments via the NPP."
August 22, 2025
Top Post
Australia Ditches Batch Payments. Is North America Next?
RedCompass Labs
"BECS [Bulk Electronic Clearing System]– Australia’s long-standing batch payments system – will be retired in 2030 (if all goes to plan). Here’s what that could mean for the US and Canada."
August 21, 2025
On the web
Australian Consumer Watchdog Moves to Empower Encryption Upgrade for Card Payments
The Cyber Express
"In a forward-looking proposal introduced last week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has invited public submissions on a draft determination that would permit the payments industry to coordinate its migration to a more robust encryption standard for card payments. The agency, through this authorization, is considering granting the approval for a period of eight years. The move centres on replacing the ageing Triple Data Encryption Standard (TDES)—currently used across Australia’s card payments ecosystem—with the more advanced Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)."
Whitepaper: Unlocking Business Opportunities With Real-Time Payments [Australia]
Australian Payments Plus
"The way businesses pay and get paid is undergoing a fundamental shift. This whitepaper explores the benefits, opportunities, and considerations for businesses as they prepare for Australia’s payments future and includes case studies of leading organisations already realising the benefits, including: Amazon.com.au’s new payment check-out option; BP’s support for small retailers and efficiency improvements."
August 15, 2025
On the web
Case Study: Red Energy Modernises Bill Payments [Australia]
Australian Payments Plus
"Electricity and gas provider Red Energy is the first major Australian utility to offer PayTo as a real-time bill payment solution, giving customers an instant payment option and Red Energy immediate transaction visibility. [Video]"
August 4, 2025
On the web
Treasury and Payments Platform Finmo Enhances Transaction Security with Confirmation of Payee Rollout in Australia
Finmo
"Finmo, a Treasury and Payments platform, has officially gone live with Confirmation of Payee (CoP) in Australia, reinforcing its commitment to fraud prevention, regulatory readiness, and customer trust. As the country begins its industry-wide CoP rollout, Finmo is among the first payment platforms to adopt the safeguard. Mandated by Australian Payments Plus (AP+) and supported by the New Payments Platform (NPP), CoP helps tackle rising fraud by verifying account details before funds are sent."
July 16, 2025
On the web
Australia Looks to Scrap Surcharges on Most Card Payments
Yahoo Finance
"Australia's central bank proposed to scrap surcharges on most debit and credit card payments for consumers while lowering interchange fees paid by businesses, steps it estimated would save the two groups around A$2.4 billion ($1.57 billion) a year. In a consultation paper on the proposals, the Reserve Bank of Australia said surcharges and fees were no longer in the public interest and invited feedback from interested parties by August 26."
July 15, 2025
On the web
No More Card Surcharges: What the Reserve Bank’s Proposed Changes Mean for Your Wallet [Australia]
The Conversation
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has proposed a sweeping reform: abolishing card payment surcharges. The central bank says it’s in the public interest to scrap the system and estimates consumers could collectively save $1.2 billion annually. After an eight-month review, the bank’s Payments System Board has concluded the surcharge model no longer works in a predominantly cashless economy. The proposal now on the table is to phase out surcharges and instead push for simplified, all-inclusive pricing.
July 2, 2025
On the wires
NAB Welcomes Confirmation of Payee [Australia]
NAB News
"NAB has today welcomed the launch of the banking industry’s new Confirmation of Payee system to help tackle scams. Customers making payments with a BSB and account number in the NAB App and Internet Banking will benefit from the technology as it is rolled out at NAB."
June 23, 2025
On the wires
Shift4 to Acquire Australian Payments Leader Smartpay
Business Wire
"Smartpay sells tailored payment solutions through an extensive distribution network across Australia and New Zealand, supporting a diverse base of more than 40,000 merchants in the region. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals."
June 12, 2025
On the web
Visa, Chainlink Successfully Complete CBDC, Stablecoin Swap Between Hong Kong, Australia
CryptoSlate
"Visa and Chainlink have completed a key milestone in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) e-HKD+ Pilot Programme, successfully testing a cross-border blockchain transaction using central bank digital currency (CBDC) and stablecoins. The trial, conducted in partnership with ANZ, ChinaAMC, and Fidelity International, is one of the first real-world simulations of programmable money being used for cross-border investment in tokenized assets."
June 11, 2025
On the web
Afterpay, Klarna, Zip Warning for Aussie Users as Major BNPL Overhaul Hits Today (June 10): ‘You Should Reconsider'
Yahoo Finance
"Australians who use buy now, pay later (BNPL) services have been warned new regulations coming into force from June 10 could have huge implications on their future. While these platforms have been game-changers for people running a little low on cash, they're now operating under the same rules as credit cards and personal loans."
Australian Payments Plus and G+D to Lower Cost of Debit Payments for Online Checkouts
Fintech Singapore
"Australian Payments Plus (AP+) is working with payment technology firm Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) to bring eftpos and least-cost routing (LCR) to Click to Pay, marking what the companies say is a global first for online debit card payments. AP+ brings together three domestic payment providers, BPAY Group, eftpos and NPP Australia, into one integrated entity."
May 6, 2025
Top Post
ANZ Scraps Passwords for 1 Million Customers in ‘Revolutionary’ Online Banking Change
Yahoo Finance
"ANZ is scrapping passwords for internet banking for its digital banking arm ANZ Plus. The move makes it the first Australian bank to offer a fully passwordless internet banking option. From mid-2025, ANZ Plus customers will be able to log into internet banking through two authentication methods. Either by using a passkey, which could be their fingerprint, face or mobile device PIN, or by entering their mobile number and approving a login request sent to their ANZ Plus app."
May 2, 2025
On the web
Volt’s One-Click Payto Payment Solution Made Available to Shopify Customers in Australia
Volt
"Volt announced its expansion to the Australian market with Shopify. Volt is enabling Shopify merchants to offer Australian consumers a one-click checkout experience powered by PayTo. In Australia, Volt will be first-to-market on Shopify with a one-click checkout built on PayTo, a real-time payment system developed by the country’s New Payments Platform in 2022."
April 30, 2025
On the web
Banked, Chemist Warehouse and Shopback Launch Australia’s First In-Store Pay by Bank With Rewards Program
Banked
"Banked, the leading global Pay by Bank provider, has partnered with Australia’s top retail pharmacy group Chemist Warehouse, and leading shopping, rewards, and payments platform ShopBack, to launch the country’s first in-store Pay by Bank experience that also allows consumers to earn Cashback and rewards."
March 21, 2025
On the web
Crypto Regulation Finally Coming to Australia With Exchanges Facing Bank-Like Rules
SmartCompany
"The Australian government has unveiled long-awaited crypto regulations, requiring exchanges and fintechs holding digital assets to meet financial services standards."
March 18, 2025
Top Post
Visa Partners With Major Banks to Launch Vbip in Australia
IT Brief Australia
"Visa has announced a partnership with ANZ, NAB, HSBC, and Westpac to introduce Visa B2B Integrated Payments (VBIP) in Australia, aimed at enhancing and simplifying business-to-business transactions for companies of varying scales. The VBIP solution is integrated within the SAP Business Technology Platform, which helps businesses automate their B2B payments."
March 13, 2025
Top Post
AP+ works with Google to offer Least Cost Routing on Google Wallets [Australia]
Australian Payments Plus
"Australian Payments Plus (AP+) has worked with Google to roll out eftpos functionality and Least Cost Routing (LCR) on transactions made via the mobile Google Wallet, allowing merchants to choose to have more payments routed via the lower-cost eftpos network. ANZ and Suncorp Bank are the first two issuers live with eftpos multi-network debit cards in the Google Wallet, with other issuers to follow over the course of 2025."
March 11, 2025
On the web
Azupay and Gr4vy Partner to Transform eCommerce Payments with NPP-Powered Solutions
Azupay
"Azupay, Australia’s leading pure-play New Payments Platform (NPP) provider, has partnered with Gr4vy, a no-code payment orchestration platform, to bring real-time, account-to-account payment solutions to Australian eCommerce businesses. This collaboration enables merchants to leverage Azupay’s PayID, PayTo, and Pay by Bank offerings through Gr4vy’s payment orchestration platform to streamline transactions."
February 7, 2025
On the web
Is the End of Pesky Card Surcharges on the Horizon? [Australia]
Smart Company
"The Reserve Bank is undertaking a big study into card surcharging — with the goal of making them go away, or at least get much smaller.g a big study into card surcharging — with the goal of making them go away, or at least get much smaller."
January 31, 2025
On the web
NAB and Amazon Launch PayTo® Payment for Amazon Australian Customers
NAB News
"Customers shopping on Amazon.com.au can now use ‘PayTo’ to make a purchase directly from their bank account in a seamless, secure way, removing the need to provide card details."