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September 17, 2026
On the web
European Central Bank (ECB) Opens Digital Euro Pilot to Online and Mobile Merchants
BitKE
"The Eurosystem has launched a call for expressions of interest inviting e-commerce and mobile commerce (m-commerce) merchants operating in the euro area to participate in its digital euro pilot. The call follows the selection of payment service providers (PSPs) that will take part in the pilot. The pilot will give selected merchants an opportunity to work with the European Central Bank (ECB) and euro area national central banks to test a simulated digital euro ecosystem and provide feedback that could help shape the digital euro’s technical specifications."
September 16, 2026
On the web
PhonePe CEO Breaks Silence on UPI Charges
India.com
"The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI transactions will not impose any charges on customers. The move is necessary to make India’s digital payments ecosystem financially sustainable, PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam said. The CEO clarified customers will continue to use UPI without any charges, while small merchants with an annual turnover of less than Rs 1 lakh will also remain outside the MDR regime. For larger shops, 96% of transactions, which are all below Rs 2,000, there will be no charge, according to him."
Digital Payments Linked to £88 Billion in Additional Sales for UK Businesses, Visa Report Finds
Visa
"Modern payment systems have enabled £88bn in additional sales for UK businesses since 2019, according to a new report from Visa and Public First. This is equivalent to around £2,500 per business per year over that period. The report examines the significant economic impact that digital payments have in the UK and the critical role they play in powering future growth. The research estimates that digital payments contributed £7.5 billion to the UK economy in 2024,"
PhonePe Crosses 11 Billion Monthly UPI Transactions in August; Google Pay Nears 8 Billion
CXO Digital Pulse
"PhonePe crossed the 11 billion monthly transaction mark on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in August, while Google Pay moved closer to 8 billion transactions, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The Walmart-backed digital payments platform accounted for 45.64% of the total UPI transaction volume in August. Google Pay accounted for 32.26% of the total UPI transaction volume and Paytm continued to hold the third position among UPI players."
On the wires
Travelxp Launches Marco, India's First Travel AI Agent That Can Book and Pay for Trips
EIN Presswire
"Travelxp, India's first content-led travel commerce platform, has launched Marco, an agentic AI trip concierge, the first of its kind from an Indian travel platform. Marco can discover, plan, book and pay for a trip on a traveller's behalf, within spending limits the preset by the traveller. Marco returns to the traveller for approval when a decision falls outside the limits they've set. Marco also stays active after booking - If a flight is delayed or prices shift, it can assess the impact on the rest of the itinerary and adjust connected bookings."
September 15, 2026
Top Post
India Ends Free Ride for Larger Transactions on Its Ubiquitous Digital Payments Network
TechCrunch
"India has put a price on larger transactions on its digital payments network, ending years of free processing for merchants. The country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will impose a 0.4% merchant fee on certain payments above ₹2,000 (about $21) from October 15, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said. Consumers will continue to use the service for free, NPCI said. UPI’s merchant fee is capped at ₹300 (about $3) for transactions of ₹75,000 (around $783) or more, while payments of ₹2,000 or less will remain free for merchants."
On the web
UK Banks Kick off Fundraising in Bid to Create New Payments Giant
Sky News
"Britain’s biggest banks will this week embark on a process to raise tens of millions of pounds to fund the development of a new payments infrastructure vehicle that could ultimately evolve into a domestic alternative to Mastercard and Visa. Sky News has learnt that the UK Payments Delivery Company (PDC), a newly formed entity, will on Tuesday launch an equity-raise aimed at creating the country's future payments utility."
September 14, 2026
On the web
India: RBI Executive Director Unveils New RuPay And UPI Payment Innovations At GFF 2026
BW Disrupt
"The Reserve Bank of India announced the launch of several innovations, including a pilot of the Unified Ticketing Platform, a concept showcase of RuPay ON-THE-GO Card-on-Device Tokenisation, RuPay Tap on Phone, RuPay passkey-based biometric authentication, and cross-border merchant payments using RuPay credit card on UPI International. The initiatives are designed to enhance convenience, security and user experience while enabling the next generation of digital commerce across transit, tourism, e-commerce and cross-border payments."
September 11, 2026
Top Post
UPI-Zelle Bridge: India’s Digital Payment System May Soon Launch in the US for Easier Money Transfers
India Today
"India's cashless payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), is likely to be available to people in the US by the end of this year, making transactions by NRIs and professionals working there much easier. The Bank of America (BofA) is working on a pilot project to link Zelle of the US to India's UPI."
On the web
Wero for Merchants: A New European Payment Solution for E-commerce
Fnac Darty
"Wero is entering a new phase of its development with Wero for Merchants, a European payment solution designed for e-commerce. To support this launch in France and Europe, BNP Paribas organized a press conference in Paris on September 8, 2026, which Fnac Darty joined alongside Wero and other major corporations. The Group will roll out Wero for Merchants on fnac.com in early 2027, before gradually extending it to physical stores and its other European markets."
Ethswitch Takes Ethiopia’s Digital Payments Push to Global Fintech Stage
Tech Review Africa
"Ethiopia’s national payment switch is using a global fintech gathering in Mumbai to promote the country’s progress in interoperable payments and explore links with international payment networks, putting its emerging digital infrastructure into a wider debate over how developing economies can build nationally controlled but globally connected financial systems. EthSwitch has also been developing infrastructure for instant payments and interoperable QR transactions."
NPCI Plans Vetting System For AI-Driven UPI Transactions As Agentic Commerce Buzz Grows [India]
NDTV
"As it gets ready to implement autonomous "agentic payments" via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) intends to create a national AI registry to identify, screen, and verify AI agents, Reuters reported. The register will be a component of the NPCI's proposed Unified Agentic Protocol, which will screen AI agents that handle user payments, the news agency said, citing sources."
September 10, 2026
On the web
Feedzai Partners With Peoples Group to Anchor Fraud Defense for Canada’s Real-Time Rail
TipRanks
"Feedzai is deepening its presence in the Canadian payments market through a new strategic partnership with Peoples Group to provide AI-driven fraud monitoring for instant payments ahead of Canada’s Real-Time Rail launch in late 2026. Under the agreement, Peoples Group will embed Feedzai’s RiskOps technology into its core transaction infrastructure, making Feedzai the primary engine for real-time risk scoring across the bank’s fintech, credit union and challenger banking clients."
September 8, 2026
On the web
Ant International Secures Payment Institution License from the Central Bank of Brazil
Yahoo Finance
"Ant International, the leading global digital payment, digitisation, and FinAI solutions provider, today announced that it has received a Payment Institution (PI) licence from the Central Bank of Brazil. Ant International provides cross-border payments and account services, embedded credit and treasury services, and other finAI and blockchain solutions to clients across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The licence will strengthen Ant International's local and cross-border payment capabilities in Brazil."
PayTabs to Acquire Amazon Payments Services’ MENA Operations
IBS Intelligence
"Saudi Arabia-based PayTabs Group has agreed to acquire Amazon Payment Services’ payments operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a transaction valued at more than $100 million. Approved by both parties, the deal will see Amazon Payment Services’ MENA operations integrated into PayTabs, expanding the FinTech company’s scale, processing capabilities, and market presence across the region. The acquisition strengthens PayTabs’ position as a leading payments infrastructure provider in MENA."
Circle Expands Global Payments Infrastructure with Agreement to Acquire Singapore-based Cross-Border Payments Platform, Tazapay
Circle
"Circle Internet Group, Inc., the global financial technology firm and issuer of USDC today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tazapay, a Singapore-headquartered B2B cross-border payments infrastructure company focused on serving payment service providers and financial institutions. The deal is expected to close in 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals, including approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore."
Mastercard and Flowcart Join Forces to Power Secure Card Payments Into Social Commerce in East Africa
"Mastercard has entered a strategic collaboration with Flowcart to embed secure, seamless card payments directly within social and conversational commerce journeys. Initially launching in Kenya, the collaboration will expand across East Africa and into key high-growth markets including South Africa, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, supported by broader scaling across pan-African markets."
September 3, 2026
Top Post
Brazil, ECB Studying Instant Payments Link in Potential First Cross-Border Move for Pix, Sources Say
MarketScreener
"Brazil's central bank and the European Central Bank (ECB) are studying a potential link between their instant payment systems, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, in a move that could mark the first cross-border expansion of Brazil's successful Pix platform. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the discussions reflect a willingness by technical teams to assess whether such an interconnection is feasible. One source said a pilot project could be launched in 2028 if the initiative advances as planned."
On the web
Monetary Authority of Singapore: Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Payment Services Act 2019 for Stablecoins Regulation
MAS
"This paper sets out proposed legislative amendments to the Payment Services Act 2019 to introduce the regulatory framework for stablecoins in Singapore, as well as proposals on further requirements taking into account stablecoin developments since 2023. MAS invites comments from interested parties on the proposals set out in the consultation paper."
KB Kookmin Bank Leverages Kinexys by J.P. Morgan for Import/Export Payments
J.P. Morgan
"KB Kookmin Bank will launch an import/export corporate payment service leveraging Kinexys by J.P. Morgan’s Blockchain Deposit Account (BDA) network. KB Kookmin Bank will be the first among Korean financial institutions to use this service for import/export companies. Remittances will be supported to a total of 10 countries. Korean importers and exporters will be able to use Kinexys’ BDA network to settle USD payments faster with major overseas financial institutions on the Kinexys network."
WhatsApp Launches Bill Payments in India via Bharat Connect
Sarkaritel
"WhatsApp has announced the rollout of bill payments in India, enabling users to find, manage and pay household and utility bills directly through the messaging platform. Powered by the Bharat Connect network, the new feature is being introduced gradually and will become available to all Android and iOS users across India in the coming weeks. The WhatsApp bill payments feature will provide access to approximately 22,722 billers across 30 categories, covering essential household and financial payments."
What Is Russia’s Digital Ruble and How Will It Work?
Anadolu
"Russians can now make purchases and send money using a new form of the national currency that is held directly on a platform operated by the country's central bank. It is issued exclusively by the Bank of Russia, cannot be mined and does not operate as a decentralized currency. The digital ruble is also legal tender in Russia. The system can also support programmable transactions. For example, smart contracts could automatically trigger a payment once specified conditions are met."
On the wires
India Stalls Alipay+ Payments Link over Security, Data Concerns, Sources Say
Reuters
"Alipay+'s proposal to link with India's instant payments system for cross-border transactions has been stalled due to national security concerns in New Delhi and questions about the storage and use of customer data, three sources familiar with the discussions said. The proposal, made by Alipay+ in January, was the first by a China-linked entity in the financial services sector and came against the backdrop of easing tensions between the two neighbours, which had a deadly border clash in 2020."
September 2, 2026
On the web
Australia: CommBank Reduces Merchant Fees to Support Businesses Manage Costs [Video]
CommBank
"CommBank is reducing its Merchant Service Fee0 from 1.1% to 0.99% per transaction for in-store payments for customers on simple flat-rate pricing from 1 October 2026, making it one of the lowest rates in market. The reduction is designed to help businesses keep the cost of accepting card payments low, supporting them as they manage day-to-day operating costs. The change coincides with the removal of card surcharging from 1 October, providing additional support for the small number of businesses impacted by this change."
Russia Begins Mass Digital Ruble Rollout Through Largest Banks and Retailers
Finance Feeds
"Russia began the mass rollout of its digital ruble on Sept. 1, moving the central bank digital currency beyond its earlier testing phase and into wider use across major banks, retailers and payment networks. Systemically important banks and other large credit institutions designated by the Bank of Russia as important to the payments market must now allow customers to open digital ruble wallets, make transfers and use the currency to pay for goods and services."
Can Asia’s Banks Make Stablecoins Work Across Borders?
Asian Banking & Finance
"Asia’s banks are developing stablecoins to keep deposits and capture cross-border payments, but fragmented regulations and gaps in payment infrastructure could limit how quickly the technology scales. “Banks are rolling out stablecoin capabilities to prevent deposits and payments from shifting to nonbank issuers,” Michael Benz, head of the Asia-Pacific region at AMINA Group AG, said. Japan’s three megabanks said in June they plan to conduct commercial transactions using stablecoins by March 2027."
September 1, 2026
On the web
DBS and Stripe Partner to Accelerate the Digital and Ai-Powered Economy in Asia
DBS
"DBS and Stripe have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the growth of agentic commerce and cross-border payments in Asia. By combining DBS' banking capabilities and pan-Asian connectivity with Stripe's global programmable financial services, both institutions aim to help businesses collect, move and manage funds more seamlessly across markets. The partnership will also explore jointly developing agentic AI capabilities for DBS customers to transact more efficiently and securely."
Singapore Proposes 100% Reserves and a Ban on Yields for Stablecoin Issuers
CoinDesk
"Singapore’s financial regulator has proposed amendments to the Payment Services Act that would require stablecoin issuers to fully back tokens with reserves and bar them from paying yield. The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) proposed rules would require issuers to maintain assets equal to at least 100% of all tokens in circulation at all times, in accounts separate from issuers’ own funds and custodied only with licensed financial institutions."
The Monetary Authority of Singapore Seeks Feedback on Proposals Regulating Value, User Protection for Stablecoins
The Business Times
"The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is seeking feedback on proposed legislative changes that would determine which stablecoin issuers can be regulated by the authority, and the safeguards they must meet to protect users and keep the value of their tokens stable. MAS on Tuesday (Sep 1) issued a consultation paper on proposed legislative changes to the Payment Services Act, which sets out the regulatory framework for stablecoins in Singapore."
Australia: Card Surcharges End on October 1.
Smart Company
"The card surcharging ban is just one month away, with many small Australian businesses set to change the way they accept card payments. Businesses will no longer be allowed to surcharge customers for the cost of accepting payments through Visa, Mastercard, or eftpos. The ban will force those surcharging businesses to bear the full cost of accepting card payments. Any business that disguises a card surcharge as a ‘service fee’ or similar could wind up paying significant penalties."
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