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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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July 8, 2026
On the web
Bank of England Warns of Agentic Commerce Risks
UK Authority
"Central banks, including the Bank of England, are facing a dual challenge as AI capabilities accelerate: enabling responsible adoption while transforming how they manage risks in an increasingly autonomous financial system, Sarah Breeden, the Bank of England deputy governor for financial stability said last week. One immediate concern, she said, is the step change in agentic AI’s cyber capabilities. While these tools can strengthen cyber resilience, they also increase the risk of attacks that could harm financial stability."
June 30, 2026
Top Post
UK Watchdog Plans to Break Apple and Google’s ‘Effective Duopoly’ on Mobile App Stores
The Guardian
"The UK’s competition watchdog is challenging Apple and Google’s “effective duopoly” over mobile platforms by allowing developers to steer users away from their app stores to make purchases. The Competition and Markets Authority argues that consumers and app owners are being let down by Apple and Google restrictions on spending money outside their app stores. The regulator has described both tech companies as operating an “effective duopoly” with at least 90% of UK mobile devices running on their platforms."
On the web
Banks and UK Finance Working on a Voluntary Digital Verification Service
UK Finance
"UK Finance announces that it is supporting Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group and Santander to develop a financial services-led digital verification service. This service would aim to provide a simple and secure way for customers to verify personal details digitally through their banking app. Examples of how such a service could be used include making purchases online, verifying age and identity through online platforms, property transactions or opening an account online."
June 25, 2026
Top Post
The Retail Payments Infrastructure Board Launches Consultation on the Next Generation UK Payments Infrastructure
Bank of England
"Today marks a milestone in the modernisation of the UK's payments landscape, with the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board launching a consultation on the future design of the UK's next-generation retail payments infrastructure. The infrastructure will provide a secure foundation for innovation, greater choice and more seamless payments, while supporting emerging forms of digital money. This consultation will help inform the ‘blueprint’ for the future infrastructure, which will then be delivered by the new industry led ‘Delivery Company’."
June 12, 2026
On the web
Vendoora Opens Waiting List to Help Retailers and Service Businesses Prepare for Agentic Commerce [UK]
Business Insider
"Vendoora opened the waiting list for its agentic commerce platform, built to help businesses get found, understood, recommended, and sold through AI assistants and shopping agents. Vendoora helps close that gap by cleaning, enriching, and structuring product data so it can be understood by AI assistants, LLMs, answer engines, and shopping agents. Businesses only pay when a sale is made. The standard commission is 7.5% on net product sales up to $100,000 per month, reducing to 5% above that level. Stripe processing fees apply separately."
June 11, 2026
On the web
UK Overhauls Buy Now Pay Later Regulations For Millions of Klarna Users
Streamline
"The frictionless era of deferred digital payments is coming to an abrupt and highly regulated end. Starting July 15, 2026, consumers utilizing popular Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms such as PayPal, Klarna, and Clearpay will face profound changes to their checkout experiences. The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority is officially bringing the unchecked sector under stringent regulatory supervision. The legislative shift mandates comprehensive affordability checks and enforces strict transparency regarding the severe financial consequences of late repayments."
June 3, 2026
On the web
UK House of Lords Urges Fewer Restrictions on Bank Issued Stablecoins
Ledger Insights
"The UK’s House of Lords has been conducting an inquiry that is reviewing regulatory proposals for UK stablecoins and the Financial Services Regulation Committee published a report recommending a lighter touch on several fronts. It welcomed the Bank of England’s proposed backstop lending facility for systemic stablecoins, but made three priority suggestions. They believe the requirement that systemic stablecoins park 40% of reserves at the central bank is onerous, and suggest remunerating central bank deposits."
June 2, 2026
On the web
UK Payments Initiative Launches New A2A Payments Scheme in ‘Defining Moment’
Open Banking Expo
"The UK Payments Initiative (UKPI), a consortium of banks and fintechs, has launched a payment scheme to enable widespread adoption of account-to-account (A2A) payments, in what is being hailed as “a defining moment” in the UK. Working with participating banks and ecosystem partners, UKPI’s scheme establishes a shared rulebook, commercial model and operational standards for flexible, automated, or recurring A2A payments, which are powered by Open Banking."
June 1, 2026
On the web
UK Sets Landmark Crypto Rules in Race to Become Global Hub
Bitcoin Magazine
"The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority published a landmark crypto regulatory framework, establishing capital requirements, market abuse controls, and stablecoin standards for the country’s digital asset industry ahead of a mandatory authorization regime that takes effect in October 2027. The package represents the most expansive expansion of the FCA’s oversight in years."
May 28, 2026
Top Post
UK’s Biggest Banks Back Scheme to Challenge Visa and Mastercard Dominance
The Banker
"Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest are among lenders backing a new UK payments scheme being rolled out to challenge the dominance of Visa and Mastercard and accelerate the use of bank-to-bank transactions bypassing payment intermediaries. The UK Payments Initiative, a company set up under the auspices of the Financial Conduct Authority whose founding shareholders include the UK’s four largest lenders, is set to launch a payments scheme next week, according to documents seen by The Banker. "
May 27, 2026
On the web
The Compliance Moat: Why 88% of UK Banking Customers are Ready to Switch
The Global Treasurer
"With UK financial crime losses exceeding £1 billion, a new ThetaRay report reveals that 88% of banking customers would abandon their institutions over AML failures. This shift signifies that compliance is no longer just a regulatory burden but a critical driver of customer retention. Explore the "Security vs. Convenience Paradox" and why ThetaRay’s findings suggest AI-native infrastructure is now essential to prevent mass deposit flight."
May 22, 2026
Top Post
Should Visa & Mastercard Investors Worry About UK & Europe's Moves?
Yahoo Finance
"Britain’s Payment Systems Regulator, or PSR, has stepped up scrutiny of card networks after years of complaints from merchants over rising card costs. The regulator is now consulting on a proposed regulatory financial reporting framework that would require Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated to disclose detailed information tied to their UK operations. The consultation focuses on margins, profitability and the economics behind scheme and processing fees charged across the card ecosystems."
May 19, 2026
On the web
UK Banks Can Issue Wholesale Stablecoins. Retail Coins Must Sit Outside Bank
Ledger Insights
"The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has updated its guidance on how banks should approach stablecoins, e-money and tokenized deposits, superseding a 2023 Dear CEO letter on the same topic. The most notable shift is a lighter approach to wholesale stablecoins. Banks considering stablecoin issuance exclusively for wholesale customers are invited to engage with supervisors early, with the PRA signaling it will take a “proportionate approach” to assessing proposals."
May 18, 2026
On the web
Bank of England: Extending RTGS and CHAPS Settlement Hours – Next Steps Towards near 24x7 Settlement
Bank of England
"Rapid innovation is driving a shift towards fast, resilient and always‑on payments. We aim to lead this transformation by delivering future‑ready infrastructure that enables private‑sector innovation, improves system‑wide outcomes and strengthens UK competitiveness. This consultation paper sets out our proposed direction for moving RTGS and CHAPS (the UK’s high-value payment system) settlement hours toward near 24x7 operation, and the key choices that will shape that journey."
May 6, 2026
On the web
UK Probes PayPal, Visa, Mastercard as FX and CFD Payment Rails Come Into View
Finance Magnates
"The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched an investigation into PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard over concerns that digital wallet arrangements may restrict competition. The probe, for instance, focuses on how PayPal’s wallet is funded and used, placing one of the most widely used online payment systems under regulatory review."
April 23, 2026
On the web
UK Unveils Reforms to Prepare Payments Sector for Future Innovation
Banking Exchange
"The UK government has launched a package of reforms aimed at modernizing payments regulation. A key pillar of the reforms is the integration of payment services and e-money regulation into the UK’s core financial services regime, establishing a single, coherent framework covering both traditional and emerging forms of money, including stablecoins and tokenized deposits. For the first time, stablecoins used for payments will be brought into scope of UK regulation."
April 16, 2026
On the web
Click to Cancel: The UK’s New Subscription Contract Regime
Whitecase
"The UK Government has published its plans for implementing the new subscription contracts regime established under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). The new regime will introduce "cooling-off" periods at the end of free trials and upon auto-renewal, alongside new obligations designed to make it "straightforward" for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions. With implementation targeted for Spring 2027, businesses are strongly recommended to begin their compliance planning now."
April 8, 2026
On the web
Why the UK is Mulling a Centralised Testing Regime for Banking AI
The Global Treasurer
"The Bank of England and the UK government are weighing a landmark proposal to introduce a common testing regime for general-purpose AI models. The move aims to strip away the ‘black box’ opacity of US-developed algorithms and relieve the operational burden on individual lenders. With roughly 75% of UK financial firms now deploying AI, the sector has “substantially outpaced” almost every other industry in adopting the technology. However, this rapid rollout has left regulators uneasy."
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."
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