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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 23, 2025
On the web
NPCI Eyes EMI Payments on UPI in Fresh Credit Play Push
The Economic Times
"NPCI is focusing on expanding credit offerings on UPI, aiming to allow users to convert QR code payments into EMIs (monthly installment). This move follows the success of RuPay credit cards and credit lines on UPI, with fintech firms expected to soon enable EMI options during UPI transactions."
HSBC Launches New Cross-Border Tokenised Deposit Service
Financial IT
"HSBC has expanded its Tokenised Deposit Service (TDS), an innovative blockchain-based solution that allows corporate clients to securely move currencies in real-time with instant 24/7 settlement, to support cross-border transactions. In September, the service completed its first USD cross-border transaction between Hong Kong and Singapore, to optimise treasury management for Ant International, the solution’s pioneer customer."
Decoding Digital Money
ABA Banking Journal
"We are entering a new era of financial innovation driven by tokenization. Tokenized money market funds, tokenized real estate and tokenization of real-world assets are rapidly gaining attention. And now there is talk about tokenized deposits. Since President Trump signed the Genius Act into law, several large banks have announced their plans to issue payment stablecoins (hereafter referred to as stablecoins) and to tokenize deposits. But are these two digital assets the same? What are their key differences and similarities? What do they mean for customers and banks?"
CharIN and EMVCo Launch Special Project to Advance Payment Solutions for EV Charging
EMVCo
"CharIN e.V. and EMVCo have announced a joint initiative to promote secure and interoperable payment solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The project focuses on aligning EMV®-based open payments with ISO 15118 Plug & Charge systems, enabling a seamless and secure payment experience across the global EV charging ecosystem."
From Gadgets to Gas Pumps: The Evolution of Payment Interfaces
Atlanta Federal Reserve
"As payment functionality spreads across more devices, so do the risks. Privacy and data security become more complex in distributed environments where sensitive information may pass through multiple endpoints. Not everyone is ready to adopt voice-based or ambient payments, particularly when concerns about errors, mischarges, or device misinterpretation persist. Many devices and services are locked into proprietary networks, limiting interoperability and making the user's experience across platforms difficult."
ECB Paper Explores What Makes Stablecoins a “Fungible” Means of Payment
Ledger Insights
"The European Central Bank published a notable paper on stablecoin fungibility. This is not related to the debate around fungibility of EU versus foreign stablecoins, where the EU’s comparatively generous redemption rules are causing concerns that a run on a US stablecoin could encourage foreigners to redeem from the EU version of the same stablecoin. Instead, the paper explores a broad definition of fungibility. The authors focus on stablecoins, but note that the framework outlined also applies to retail CBDCs."
On the wires
Fortis Enables Software Platforms to Support Contactless Commerce with Tap to Pay on iPhone
PR Newswire
"Fortis announced support for Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone technology, allowing software providers to enable their business customers to seamlessly and securely accept in-person contactless payments through their iOS apps using only an iPhone, with no additional hardware required."
EBANX Announcements: AI, Stablecoin, and Payout Solutions for Global Companies in Emerging Markets, Plus Philippines Expansion
PR Newswire
"EBANX has unveiled a new generation of products designed to strengthen global companies' operations across Latin America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. Key innovations include the ability to accept stablecoin payments, AI-driven tools for improving the efficiency and security of digital transactions, and instant payouts through domestic rails. EBANX also announced its expansion into the Philippines through the integration of the country's two leading e-wallets."
September 22, 2025
Top Post
Here’s Everything New for Apple Wallet in iOS 26
9to5Mac
"Apple Wallet, like every other iOS 26 app, has gotten some Liquid Glass UI changes this year. But iOS 26 is also an especially packed update for new features coming to Apple Wallet. Here’s what’s new..."
On the web
Wero Has Successfully Positioned Itself on Payments and Is Preparing Its Entry Into the Online and In-Store Payment Market
EPI Company
"The European Payments Initiative (EPI), presents the results of its first twelve months of official activity and unveils the outlines of the launch of its e-commerce payment solution, expected in 2026. Available since the second half of 2024 for transactions between individuals in Belgium, France and Germany, Wero already has more than 43.5 million registered users. Designed as an alternative to international payment systems, Wero offers Europeans a secure and seamless mobile payment solution."
Paytm Introduces ‘Reminders’ to Manage Recurring Expenses with Timely Alerts
India Technology News
"Paytm, India’s full stack merchant payments leader announced the launch of ‘Reminders’, an innovation designed to help individuals better manage recurring expenses through timely alerts and consolidated tracking. With Reminders, Paytm delivers advance notifications for regular commitments such as tuition fees, rent, and household salaries, reducing the risk of missed due dates. The innovation also provides a single view to track and review all reminders, enabling proactive planning and smarter oversight of financial commitments."
Visa's Fleet 2.0: Supercharging B2B Payments [Video]
Procurement Magazine
"Visa's Fleet 2.0 card – involving 15 different partners – addresses procurement challenges in fleet management, aiming for improved user experience. The introduction of the Visa Fleet 2.0 card is set to enhance procurement flexibility, simplifying fleet management systems and improving operational efficiency. The Visa Fleet 2.0 features include: spend controls, digital onboarding, all-expense coverage for seamless financial operations, enhanced data tracking for informed procurement decisions, fuel discounting and integration into in-car and mobile wallets...and more."
Ant International’s WorldFirst Partners with Ecobank to Simplify Cross-Border Payments for African SMEs
Ant International
"Ant International’s WorldFirst, an all-in-one digital cross-border payment and treasury account service for global businesses, has announced a strategic partnership with Ecobank Group, a leading pan-African banking conglomerate. The collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in navigating cross-border trade, unlocking new opportunities for business growth."
Toyota, BYD, Yamaha Spice Bolivia Payments With USDT
Live Bitcoin News
"In Bolivia, Toyota, BYD, and Yamaha allow paying with USDT to purchase a vehicle or services, which was verified by the Tether CEO, Paolo Ardoino, on X. This is an initiative between ToyoTa S.A. and Crown Ltda., BitGo Trust Company, and Tether, as well as Towerbank. Customers may now buy vehicles, auto parts, and services with the USD -USD-stablecoin of Tether."
Checkout.com Powers Rail Europe to 8% Uplift in Acceptance Rates and Stronger Fraud Protection
checkout
"Checkout.com is powering Rail Europe’s growth by delivering faster, more secure and reliable payments. Since implementing Checkout.com’s platform, Rail Europe has achieved an 8% uplift in acceptance rates across its B2C and B2B platforms, while significantly reducing fraud and chargebacks - helping millions of international travellers book European rail with confidence."
Meta Rolls Out QR Code for Payments in WhatsApp Business App
National Technology News
"Meta has introduced QR code payments in the WhatsApp Business app, as it seeks to enable small and micro businesses to accept payments easily within the platform. The social media giant said that the new feature, which is currently available in India, allows small businesses to share QR codes with a single tap to quickly close sales, allowing customers to pay directly within WhatsApp using their preferred payment method."
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
Vipps MobilePay Selects Tink to Power Pay by Bank for P2P in Finland
Open Banking Expo
"Vipps MobilePay and Tink, A Visa Solution, have announced a new partnership under which Vipps MobilePay will use Tink’s Pay by Bank to power peer‑to‑peer (P2P) payments in Finland. Vipps MobilePay is the Nordics’ leading mobile wallet with more than 12 million users across Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, processing over one billion payments annually."
IPO-Bound PhonePe Gets Final Nod To Operate As Payment Aggregator
Inc42 Media
"Walmart-owned fintech PhonePe has received the final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator (PA). The development comes over two years after PhonePe received in-principle approval from the RBI in August 2023 to operate as an online payment aggregator. The authorisation will enable PhonePe to expand its reach among online merchants, with a particular focus on small and medium businesses (SMEs) across the country."
Introducing the Agentic Commerce Consortium: A Collaborative Initiative
Basis Theory
"Introducing the Agentic Commerce Consortium: By forming the Agentic Commerce Consortium, and with the release of our inaugural whitepaper Empowering Merchant-Controlled AI Commerce: An Open Agentic Commerce Whitepaper, we [Basis Theory] are documenting a path forward to give merchants the ability to opt-into agentic commerce in a secure, controlled manner (versus just sitting back and getting scraped) while simultaneously pushing the industry forward with the realities of architectural constraints that exist in the way the internet functions today."
Evolution of Identity Verification and Fraud Detection
Federal Reserve
"Identity verification, the process by which financial institutions confirm your identity, has evolved over the years due to technological advancements, as well as our dependency on and the convenience of digital devices. Traditionally, this verification process depended on in-person interactions with bank staff and the presentation of physical documents, such as passports, driver’s licenses and utility bills. While digital devices are improving the customer experience, they also have introduced new ways for criminals to apply different fraud tactics."
New Law Extends Ban on Card Surcharges to Foreign and Commercial Cards by 2026 [New Zealand]
Devdiscourse
"The Government has taken another major step toward eliminating hidden payment charges for consumers and easing compliance burdens for businesses. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced that the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament, expanding the current ban on surcharges to cover foreign-issued cards and commercial cards."
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. "
JPMorgan Says Circle Faces ‘Intense’ Competition From Tether, Hyperliquid and Fintech Rivals
The Block
"Circle, the issuer of the stablecoin, faces “intense” competition as Tether, Hyperliquid, and several fintech companies prepare new stablecoin launches, according to JPMorgan analysts. Still, they cautioned that the stablecoin landscape may end up as more of a “zero-sum game” for U.S. issuers unless the crypto market expands significantly."
Cash Discounting vs. Surcharging: The Case for Optimized Surcharging
CBT News
"Most auto dealerships operate on razor-thin profit margins while juggling rising costs for inventory and labor. Adding to these financial pressures, credit card processing fees, typically ranging from 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction, can quickly erode profitability, especially on high-ticket purchases like vehicle down payments and major service appointments. Surcharging and cash discounting offer two distinct approaches: pass credit card processing fees to customers who pay with credit, or incentivize cash payments with discounted pricing."
On the wires
Fighting Fraud Together: Early Warning Services, the Company Behind Zelle® and Paze℠, Responds To OCC, Fed, and FDIC RFI
PR Newswire
"Early Warning Services, LLC, submitted a comment letter yesterday responding to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Reserve Board, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Request for Information regarding potential actions to address payments fraud. In its submission, Early Warning lays out five essential pillars to address this problem: establish a cross-sector task force; standardize information sharing; enhance sector-wide engagement and best practices; increase law enforcement coordination; continue investing in and scaling consumer education initiatives."
September 18, 2025
On the web
New York Banking Regulator Required to Adopt Blockchain Analytics for Risk Management
Coinspeaker
"The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has directed banking organizations under its supervision to implement blockchain analytics tools as part of their compliance frameworks, marking the regulator’s latest step to strengthen oversight of cryptocurrency activities."
Visa’s VAMP Could Cost Banks and Merchants
Practical Ecommerce
"Visa’s new fraud monitoring framework gets its teeth on October 1, 2025, when merchants’ acquiring banks are held to a new chargeback and fraud standard and a new fee structure. Visa granted acquiring banks and, indirectly, merchants six months to prepare for VAMP ratio enforcement and its potential fees. The “advisory” period ends September 30, 2025, and some acquirers could incur a $10 fee (or more) per chargeback. VAMP enforcement, however, rolls out in phases through 2026."
Paytm Launches ‘Spend Now, Pay Next Month’ Postpaid on UPI
India
"Paytm Postpaid transforms day-to-day payments with rapid short-term credit directly within the UPI network. In contrast to other Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products that operate through a separate app or an additional checkout stage, this service uses India’s most-used payment app, UPI."
On the wires
Branch Launches "Branch Embedded" to Power Fast, Flexible Worker Payments Directly Within Platforms
PR Newswire
"Branch, the leading workforce payments platform, announced the launch of Branch Embedded, a solution that allows businesses to seamlessly integrate fast payment options directly into their existing applications and platforms. By adopting Branch Embedded, businesses can accelerate their time-to-market, reduce engineering overhead, and unlock revenue streams without the complexity of building payments infrastructure from scratch."
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