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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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September 19, 2025
Top Post
Intro to Google Agent Payments Protocol (AP2): How It Works [Video]
YouTube
"AP2 is an open protocol for the emerging Agent Economy, created by Google. It's designed to enable secure, reliable, and interoperable AI-driven commerce for developers, merchants, and the payments industry. The protocol is available today as an extension for the open-source Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol and relies on Agents implementing tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP)."
On the web
Google and PayPal Forge Multiyear Partnership to Revolutionize Commerce
PayPal Newsroom
"Google and PayPal announced a multiyear strategic partnership focused on advancing several commerce solutions, including innovations redefining the future of commerce such as agentic shopping and commerce experiences; broad embedding of PayPal solutions across Google's platforms; expanded payment processing and Google cloud expansion. "
September 17, 2025
On the web
Ant International Joins Google’s Agent Payments Protocol as a Launch Partner Co-building a Trusted Foundation for Agentic Commerce
Ant International
"Ant International, a leading global provider of digital payments, digitisation, and financial technology, today announced its role as a launch partner of Google to develop Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), an open rulebook that defines how AI agents can reliably transact with the authorisation of users. Existing payment systems are built around direct human interaction and cannot currently address the new requirements of authorization, verification, and interoperability among agents. Google has collaborated with the industry to introduce AP2."
September 16, 2025
On the web
Powering AI Commerce With the New Agent Payments Protocol (AP2)
Google Cloud Blog
"Google announced the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), an open protocol developed with leading payments and technology companies to securely initiate and transact agent-led payments across platforms. The protocol can be used as an extension of the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol and Model Context Protocol (MCP). In concert with industry rules and standards, it establishes a payment-agnostic framework for users, merchants, and payments providers to transact with confidence across all types of payment methods."
August 27, 2025
On the web
Google Cloud Is Developing Its Own Blockchain for Payments, Currently in Private Testnet
The Block
"Google Cloud is building its own blockchain network, named Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), for the financial sector, according to Rich Widmann, Google Cloud's Web3 Head of Strategy, who announced this on Tuesday. Widmann wrote in a LinkedIn post that GCUL aims to provide financial institutions with a "performant, credibly neutral" blockchain platform that enables Python-based smart contracts."
August 12, 2025
On the web
Google Pay Gains More Versatile Integrations
Android Police
"Google Pay is getting a substantial upgrade today, and the changes aren’t just cosmetic. They’re designed to make paying for stuff online faster, smarter, and in some cases, cheaper. The first change is all about squeezing more perks out of the cards you already carry. Chrome’s credit card autofill has shown rewards info before, but only for a limited set of cards. That number is now jumping to over 100 in the U.S., so the next time you’re about to check out online, Chrome can tell you which card gets you the best points, miles, or cashback for that particular purchase."
Wise and Google Join Forces to Make International Payments More Accessible
Wise
"Wise will be joining Google’s new remittance experience as one of the key providers. Consumers in the U.S. will soon be able to access Wise's services, powered by Wise Platform, Wise's global infrastructure for banks and enterprises, on Google Wallet online or by searching for select currency exchange rates on Google Search. This feature will be rolled out as a test to Google users in the U.S."
April 24, 2025
On the web
Google Pay Rolls Out Integration of eWallets – ShopeePay and TNG eWallet in Malaysia
TNGlobal
Google announced the integration of ShopeePay and TNG eWallet (an Alipay+ Partner) with Google Pay in Malaysia, marking Google Pay’s first eWallet integrations in Southeast Asia.
April 2, 2025
Top Post
Google Wallet Now Supports ‘Least Cost Routing’ [Australia]
"...we’ve [Google] launched support for dual network debit cards in Google Wallet, as part of what is referred to as ‘least cost routing’. Retailers will now be able to choose to send customers’ tap and pay payments made with Google Wallet to either the eftpos network run by Australian Payments Plus, or to the international network. Having the choice to route the transaction to the lowest-cost network means businesses can now save on transaction fees."
March 27, 2025
On the web
Google Pay Statistics 2025: User Base, Market Share, and Innovations
CoinLaw
"In 2025, Google Pay continues to redefine convenience, with millions of users and billions of dollars in transactions worldwide. This article dives into the fascinating statistics behind its widespread adoption and impact."
March 19, 2025
Top Post
Google Now Lets Kids Use Google Wallet for In-Store Payments in Select Countries
TechCrunch
"Google announced that kids with Android phones can now tap to pay at stores using Google Wallet in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, and Poland. Parents and guardians in these countries can now allow their children to access digital payments on their Android devices with supervision. Kids can also use Google Wallet to access supported passes, like event tickets, library cards, and gift cards."
March 17, 2025
On the web
This Underrated Google Wallet Feature Is One of My Favorite Things About the App
Android Authority
"Over the last couple of months, I started using a little-known and often-forgotten Google Wallet feature that began rolling out last summer: custom passes. You’ve long been able to add anything with a barcode or QR code to Wallet, but the implementation was pretty barebones. Last August, Google upgraded the experience to use AI to help you create a custom pass for virtually anything."
February 20, 2025
On the web
Google Pay to Impose Convenience Fee on Bill Payments via Credit/Debit Cards
The Statesman
"Digital payment platform Google Pay has started imposing a convenience fee on bill payments made with credit and debit cards."
February 17, 2025
On the web
Now GPay With Your Voice! Google Pay To Roll Out AI-Powered Voice Payments
News18
"As part of the Bhashini AI project, Google Pay is developing an AI feature for UPI payments via voice commands in cooperation with the Indian government."
January 23, 2025
On the web
Apple and Google Hit by UK Probe Into Mobile Dominance
Bloomberg
"Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. were hit with UK antitrust investigations over concerns their dominance in mobile services is distorting the market and putting up barriers to entry for competitors."
December 11, 2024
On the web
Swift and Google Cloud Partner
Asset Servicing Times
"Google Cloud and the Society of Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift) have partnered to build an AI-powered fraud detection capability. The new tool aims to support the financial industry in tackling sophisticated financial crime and help prevent cross-border payments fraud."
December 9, 2024
On the web
Google Sues CFPB
Reuters
"Internet giant Google said Friday it was suing the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the agency's decision to order federal supervision of Google Pay, the company's payment arm."
December 6, 2024
Top Post
CFPB Orders Federal Supervision of Google Following Contested Designation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today published an order establishing supervisory authority over Google Payment Corp."
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."
November 14, 2024
Top Post
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Targets Google for Supervision: Big Tech’s New Regulatory Challenge
CEO Today
"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently announced its intent to bring Google under its regulatory supervision, a move that could establish a new era of oversight for tech companies delving into financial services. This unprecedented development signifies a potential shift in how the U.S. government approaches Big Tech’s increasing influence in finance and consumer markets."
October 8, 2024
On the web
JCB to Offer Google Pay(TM) in Japan
ACN Newswire
"JCB Co., Ltd., Japan’s only international payment brand, announced that it enabled Google Pay for its customers on September 6, 2024. Android™ smartphone users can now use Google Pay in stores where JCB Contactless is accepted, by adding their credit/debit cards issued by the JCB Group in Japan to Google Pay."
September 13, 2024
On the web
Google Announces Beta Test for Digital IDs Based on Biometrics and Us Passports
Biometric Update
"A new type of digital ID based on U.S. passports in Google Wallet has been introduced ahead of beta testing. Users scan the chip in their electronic passport, and match their selfie biometrics with a short video."
September 4, 2024
On the web
Convenience and Commerce with Google Pay at Global Fintech Festival 2024
"Google Pay made a few key announcements about features and partnerships that will become available to Google Pay users later this year: Delegate Payments a.ka. UPI Circle: Empowering Your Trusted Circle with Digital Payments; UPI Vouchers or eRupi; Clickpay QR scan for Bill Payments; Prepaid Utilities payment; Tap & Pay with RuPay Cards; Autopay for UPI Lite."
August 22, 2024
On the web
Netflix’s ‘Emily In Paris’ Features Google Lens
Deadline
"Google has come aboard Netflix‘s Emily in Paris as a sponsor as the series debuts Season 4. The agreement will let fans (on all Netflix plans) use Google Lens to scan Emily’s looks and find similar items to match her style."
July 31, 2024
On the web
Google Wallet Will Have Payment via Pix With C6 Bank and Picpay Accounts
Canaltech
"Google Wallet will receive integration with C6 Bank and PicPay accounts to initiate payments via Pix without the need to open the financial institutions' apps."
June 12, 2024
On the web
Google Shuts Down Gpay App and P2P Payments in the US
9to5Google
"As announced in February, “GPay” is no longer available in the US...Starting on June 4, GPay — as was the name of the app on Android homescreens — automatically signed US users out. Attempting to login again explains how: “The Google Pay US app is no longer available. You can still tap to pay using the Google Wallet app.”"
May 22, 2024
On the web
Google Pay Will Now Display Card Perks, BNPL Options and More
TechCrunch
"Google Pay is rolling out a number of updates that capitalize on its integrations with other Google products, like Android and the Chrome browser. Starting Wednesday, people who check out with Google Pay will be able to see their card benefits and perks before selecting a card; use “buy now, pay later” through partners like Affirm and Zip; and fill in their card details through biometrics or a PIN, instead of by entering their security code."
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."
March 27, 2024
On the web
Google Wallet Now Lets You Skip Verification for Certain Payments
Android Authority
"As discovered by 9to5Google, the latest version of the Google Wallet app appears to have added a “Verification settings” option. Found within Wallet settings, the new option allows users to choose if they’ll be required to verify their identity when using a payment method or passes with Wallet."
February 26, 2024
On the web
Google Is Sunsetting the Google Pay App in the US Later This Year
TechCrunch
"Google has announced that Google Pay is shutting down in the United States in June, as the standalone app has largely been replaced by Google Wallet. The company says the move is designed to simplify its payment apps."
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