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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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March 27, 2026
On the web
Contactless Payments Limits Removed in UK, but Checkout Issues Continue
IBS Intelligence
"New contactless payment rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mark a significant shift in the UK’s payments landscape, giving providers the flexibility to set their own transaction limits and effectively removing the long-standing £100 cap on tap-to-pay card purchases. The move reflects the continued rise of digital payments and contactless adoption, but early indications suggest that higher limits alone may not address persistent friction at the point of sale."
March 20, 2026
On the web
Starling Launches UK’s First Agentic AI Financial Assistant
Starling Bank
"Starling Bank has launched the UK’s first Agentic AI financial assistant, which can help manage day-to-day finances, share personalised financial insights and give general banking guidance to personal account holders. The in-app ‘Starling Assistant’ offers an all-new conversational banking interface that responds to voice and natural language prompts before carrying out banking tasks on the customer’s behalf, from setting up personalised saving goals to organising bill payments.*"
March 19, 2026
On the web
TSB Warns Customers Over New ‘Friendship Fraud’ Scam Targeting Older and Vulnerable People [UK]
MSN
"Scammers are pretending to befriend older and vulnerable people in a bid to extract cash from them, according to TSB. The bank is warning the public of an uptick in so-called 'friendship fraud' in which fraudsters prey on older and vulnerable people's loneliness and desire to seek a connection. Criminals are using social media to lure people into online friendships, before extracting sums of money that can reach into the tens of thousands according to TSB."
March 17, 2026
Top Post
Mastercard, Visa Can Appeal UK Ruling That Merchant Fees Breach Antitrust Law
"Visa and Mastercard can challenge a judgment that found their default multilateral interchange fees charged to retailers infringe competition law, London's Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday, in a long-running legal battle over the charges. The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled last year, in linked lawsuits brought by hundreds of merchants, that Visa and Mastercard's multilateral interchange fees breached European competition law. The merchants' lawyers previously said that was the first time Visa and Mastercard's commercial card and inter-regional multilateral interchange fees had been found to infringe competition law."
March 13, 2026
On the web
Next-Gen Payment Cards: Virtual Solutions With No Limits [UK]
Wales 247
"The massive trend of 2026 is no-limit virtual cards. They are totally shattering the traditional banking mold, offering unprecedented flexibility, global reach, and zero of the usual restrictions. These virtual solutions are tailor-made for the era of digital nomads, crypto investors, and global biz. They literally erase borders, letting you top up your balance with crypto, make worldwide payments without limits, and keep fees down to an absolute minimum. In this piece, a detailed breakdown and ranking of the top platforms issuing these next-gen cards in reviewed."
March 3, 2026
On the web
U.K. ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ Regulation Signals End of ‘Wild West’ Fintech Loans System
Compliance Week
"Firms offering “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) financing will become part of the regulated financial services sector in the U.K. from July 15. Compliance teams must act now to ensure they are ready to introduce rules, including Consumer Duty, and establish creditworthiness assessment processes, adapt systems, and change data processes before the deadline."
March 2, 2026
On the web
UK Among First Countries to Recognise Cryptocurrency as Personal Property
Gov UK
"The new law confirms digital assets like crypto tokens can be recognised as personal property. Victims of digital theft and fraud gain stronger protections as legislation passes through the final stages of Parliament. Part of the Government’s Plan for Change for growth to boost the UK’s reputation as a global leader in legal innovation"
February 27, 2026
On the web
Lloyds ‘Set to Stop Opening Some Accounts in Branch’ in Bid to Force Customers to Go Digital
LBC
"Staff at Lloyds Bank will no longer open joint, premium or student accounts in branches or switch customers from another lender, The Telegraph says. The move would be a major blow against in-person branches amid worries that lender's pushes to go digital is set to leave elderly and disabled customers without vital help."
February 25, 2026
On the web
Revolut to Test Stablecoin in UK Trial
Yahoo Finance
"Britain's Revolut will start testing a crypto token pegged to the British pound, in a trial with three small companies but no big high-street lenders, the Financial Conduct Authority said. The trial will take place as part of the financial regulator's "sandbox" programme, which allows firms to trial stablecoin products in controlled conditions, it said. Britain's larger financial firms have been more cautious in their approach to stablecoins than European and U.S. counterparts, partly because of scepticism from the Bank of England."
February 12, 2026
On the web
Bank of England Launches Pilot for Tokenized Asset Settlement
Banking Exchange
"The Bank of England has launched a pilot program to test how tokenized assets could be settled in sterling, as it looks to modernize the UK’s core payments infrastructure. The initiative, known as the ‘Synchronisation Lab’, will bring together 18 firms to test how payments in central bank money could be synchronized with transactions on distributed-ledger platforms."
February 11, 2026
On the web
FCA Brings BNPL Under Full Consumer Credit Regulation
IBS Intelligence
"The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has introduced a new set of consumer protection measures for the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) market. Under the updated framework, BNPL providers will be subject to the FCA’s Consumer Duty, which requires firms to demonstrate they are delivering good outcomes for retail customers. The regulator will also mandate proportionate affordability checks, alongside enhanced requirements around customer support and communications."
February 10, 2026
On the web
Why UK Payment Infrastructure Reform Could Reshape Digital Commerce
TechHQ
"The UK’s payment infrastructure is getting its biggest upgrade in nearly two decades, and the implications extend beyond faster checkout times. In a speech at the City & Financial Payments Regulation and Innovation Summit, Bank of England deputy governor Sarah Breeden outlined how a new institutional model, one that combines public oversight with private sector delivery, aims to reshape the economics and functionality of digital commerce."
February 4, 2026
On the web
Bank of England Steps up External Engagement on Retail Payments Innovation
Global Government Finance
"The Bank of England is convening three new external engagement forums as part of efforts to build a ‘more resilient, innovative and inclusive payments landscape’ in the UK. The ‘Payments End User Forum’, ‘Payments Innovation Design Group’ and ‘Payments Academic Advisory Group’ are being established to help the central bank to ‘capture a broad range of experiences, expertise and knowledge in the development of next-generation retail payments infrastructure’."
January 29, 2026
On the web
The Financial Conduct Authority Launches Long-Term AI Review
Banking Exchange
"The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a review into the implications of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) for consumers, retail financial markets, and regulators. The review will seek views across the development of more autonomous and agentic systems, and how these advances could reshape markets and firms, influence competition and market structure, and affect the UK’s competitiveness."
January 22, 2026
On the web
UK Regulators Warn AI Poses “Potentially Serious Harm” to Financial System
Banking Exchange
"UK financial authorities have warned that the growing use of AI across financial services could pose “potentially serious harm” to consumers and the stability of the financial system if left insufficiently managed. In a report drawing on evidence they described as a wait-and-see approach to AI regulation. The Committee argued that this stance is inadequate at a time when AI adoption is accelerating rapidly across the sector."
January 16, 2026
On the web
Stablecoins and the Dollar: Promise, Politics and Peril
London Business School
At a CEPR panel on The Dollar, Financial Fragmentation and Stablecoins, London Business School's Professor Richard Portes delivered a clear warning: stablecoins may be profitable and politically fashionable, but they are a weak and risky substitute for money. The conclusion was understated but firm. Europe does not need to chase US-style stablecoin expansion. Its strength lies in modernising what already works: regulated banks, central bank money and a monetary system built for resilience rather than hype.
January 14, 2026
On the web
Open Banking Limited Marks 8 Years of Transforming the UK’s Financial Landscape
Open Banking
"Open Banking Limited (OBL) marks the 8th anniversary of open banking in the UK – an innovation made possible by the implementation of PSD2,- and a pivotal moment for the UK economy. This milestone comes as the FCA, in a recent letter to the Prime Minister, identified open banking as a key initiative to drive national growth and unlock new use cases, particularly SME lending."
December 16, 2025
On the web
UK Treasury to Regulate Cryptocurrency Under New Legislation
MSN
"The UK is set to introduce new legislation by 2027 that will bring cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, under a regulatory framework akin to traditional financial products. The Treasury has unveiled plans for these new laws, which will mandate crypto firms to adhere to a specific set of standards and rules. These will be rigorously overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)."
December 5, 2025
On the web
Proposed Rules from the Bank of England to Regulate Systemic Stablecoins
Mayer Brown
"This update explains the Bank of England’s proposed regime for regulating sterling‑denominated systemic stablecoin issuers and payment system operators (and other service providers recognised as systemic in the supply chain) as set out in its consultation paper issued on 10 November 2025; in particular its impact on banks and other participants in wholesale financial markets."
England Enacts Law Recognizing Digital Assets as Property
Ledger Insights
"The Property (Digital Assets, etc) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent, creating a new category of property under English law. Digital assets such as cryptocurrency did not fit neatly into existing laws, resulting in the courts creating a new category, which is now recognized in the legislation. If an asset is not recognized as property, it becomes tricky to recover the asset if it’s stolen or enforce ownership rights."
November 11, 2025
On the web
Bank of England Launches Consultation on Regulating Systemic Stablecoins
Bank of England
"The Bank of England published a consultation paper setting out its proposed regulatory regime for sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins. Such stablecoins are a new type of digital money designed to maintain a stable value and could be used for retail payments and wholesale settlement in the future. This marks a significant step in preparing for a future where new forms of digital money may be widely used for payments alongside existing ones."
September 29, 2025
On the web
UK and US Launch Joint Taskforce for Crypto Regulation
Banking Exchange
"The governments of the UK and US have agreed to establish a joint taskforce aimed at reducing barriers for banks and corporates raising capital and strengthening cooperation on cryptocurrency regulation. The Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future will be backed by UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. It will also be co-chaired by officials from both finance ministries and include participation from market regulators."
September 15, 2025
On the web
The Retail Payments Infrastructure Board (RPIB) [UK]
Bank Of England
"On 15 July 2025, the Payments Vision Delivery Committee (PVDC) announced a new model to deliver the next generation of UK retail payments infrastructure, supporting businesses and consumers across the economyOpens in a new window. The new model embeds public and private sector collaboration, utilising the right expertise in the right functions to drive transformation. The Bank of England will set up and chair the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board (RPIB), which will include broad representation across the payments ecosystem (banking sector, fintech as well as merchants and end users)."
September 4, 2025
On the web
Thousands of Scammers Are Impersonating the Financial Watchdog – [UK]
MSN
"The financial watchdog has warned consumers to be on the alert for fraudsters impersonating its staff. It warned that one of the most common scam methods is fraudsters claiming that the FCA has recovered funds from a crypto wallet that was opened illegally in the individual’s name. Another common method is to target loan scam victims, who are often very vulnerable, and claim the FCA can help them recover the money they have lost. They are then persuaded to hand over further funds."
September 3, 2025
On the web
Bank of England Overhauls Core Payments System Settling £800bn a Day
Tech Informed
"The Bank of England has completed a multi-year overhaul of the UK’s Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) service, marking one of the most significant upgrades to the country’s financial plumbing in decades. RTGS is the backbone of wholesale payments: it allows financial institutions to move money between each other instantly, in “real time” and on a one-to-one basis, rather than netting off positions later."
August 29, 2025
On the web
UK Banks to Invest £1.8 Billion in GenAI by 2030 as Zopa Bank Unveils Plans to Re-Skill 100,000 Workers
Financial IT
"Digital bank Zopa and Juniper Research have today released a new study detailing the seismic impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) on the UK banking sector. UK banks are poised to invest over £1.8 billion ($2.5bn) in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) by 2030 to increase staff productivity, cut costs, and enhance user experience -- underscoring the growing importance of Large Language Models (LLMs) in meeting evolving customer expectations."
August 19, 2025
On the web
UK Crypto Investors Hail Regulatory Changes as ‘Pivotal Moment’
Financial Times
"Regulatory changes that give UK retail investors greater access to cryptocurrencies have been hailed a “pivotal moment” for the market by industry figures. The Financial Conduct Authority’s decision last week to lift the ban on offering crypto exchange traded products to retail investors has even been likened to the modernising “Big Bang” reforms of the 1980s."
August 18, 2025
On the web
Tide Strips Card Numbers to Reduce Card Fraud Risk
Startups Magazine
"Tide has become the first UK provider of business cards to remove printed numbers from its cards – eliminating its own exposure to several major types of card fraud that rely on visible card details. New Tide cards will no longer carry a printed long card number, expiry date, or three-digit security code. Darren Deal, Senior Vice President, Fintech, Government and Digital Partnerships, Mastercard UK & Ireland, said: “At Mastercard, we’ve already committed to phasing out manual card entry across Europe by 2030."
July 18, 2025
On the web
FCA Proposes Stricter BNPL Rules Amid Debt Concerns [UK]
IBS Intelligence
"The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled a series of new proposals aimed at tightening regulation of the country’s fast-growing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) market, as policymakers look to address mounting concerns over consumer debt and affordability. The proposed rules would see BNPL lenders required to carry out mandatory affordability checks to ensure that borrowers are able to repay loans without falling into financial distress."
July 15, 2025
On the web
Payments Vision Delivery Committee Update [UK]
GOV.UK
"The National Payments Vision set out the government’s ambitions for a world-leading payments ecosystem which drives innovation, supports competition and ensures security, in line with the Growth Mission. It established the Payments Vision Delivery Committee to enhance regulatory coordination and drive implementation of key activities – including setting out the approach for the development and delivery of the UK’s retail payments infrastructure needs."
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