Increase your payments knowledge today with our On-Demand Learning options. Learn on your schedule with a self-paced format and up to 1 year of access.
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.
Search Payments News
August 14, 2025
On the web
Block Unveils Proto Rig and Proto Fleet, Marking a New Era in Bitcoin Mining
Block
"Block, Inc. unveiled Proto Rig, a first-of-its-kind modular bitcoin mining system, and Proto Fleet, a free and open-source fleet management software. The announcement, made during an event held at Proto customer Core Scientific's facility in Dalton, GA, where Proto Rigs are mining as part of their fleet, represents a significant step toward decentralizing bitcoin mining hardware, opening access to more builders, and increasing network resiliency."
Buy Now, Return Later: Retailers Pay for Customer Loyalty
Bank of America Institute
"Consumers want the flexibility to return products, but this is costly for retailers. A 2024 National Retail Federation (NRF) survey of large U.S. retailers put the total cost at $890 billion, with the return rate in 2024 more than double that in 2019. Bank of America credit and debit card data also suggests still-high rates of return across retailers of all sizes, at 4.5% in 2025 year to date (YTD)."
The Hidden Risks of Sepa Instant Cash Pooling
RedCompass Labs
"You’re doing the hard work to comply with SEPA Instant. But there’s one thing most banks are overlooking: cash pooling. Why does it matter? Many banks sweep or pool leftover balances from a customer’s multiple accounts into a single master account—usually once a day, often around 7 PM."
Riskified Joins Forces with HUMAN to Help Merchants Embrace Trusted AI Shopping Agent Commerce
Riskified
"Riskified announced a new partnership with HUMAN Security, a leading cybersecurity company, with a shared vision to advance a unified security framework that helps merchants win and grow safely via emerging agentic channels. The partnership underscores their joint commitment to leverage their respective industry-leading AI platforms and expansive network insights to secure the next era of digital commerce."
On the wires
Xsolla and Adyen Partner to Power Global Game Payments and Introduce Xsolla Payment Service Provider to Give Developers Full Control of Payments, Checkout, and Revenue Strategy
Business Wire
"Xsolla, a global commerce company helping developers launch, grow and monetize their games, announces today a strategic partnership with Adyen, a leading financial technology platform, to power seamless and scalable payment experiences for game developers around the world. This partnership supports the launch of Xsolla Payment Service Provider (PSP), a new payment solution designed for studios that want to operate as their own Merchant of Record (MoR) while leveraging Xsolla’s unique payment and game tech infrastructure."
August 13, 2025
Top Post
NY Attorney General Sues Zelle Parent Company, Alleging the Payment Service Enabled Widespread Fraud
CNN
"New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday sued Early Warning Services (EWS), which operates Zelle, alleging the electronic money-transfer service fails to protect its users from “massive amounts of fraud.” The lawsuit alleges that EWS knew that key features of Zelle’s service made it susceptible to fraud, but it still failed to implement safety measures and allowed scammers to steal over $1 billion."
On the web
Wirex Expands WEB3 Payments in Europe With Visa-Backed EURC Settlements
Yahoo Finance=Cision
Wirex, a leading Web3 money app, has announced it is supporting EURC settlements through Visa's stablecoin settlement pilot, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of blockchain-based payments in Europe. Following the successful completion of a testing phase, Wirex is now live with EURC settlement capabilities via the Visa Network. This collaboration enables near real-time settlement using EURC, a fully backed stablecoin issued by Circle and pegged 1:1 to the euro.
EU Finalizes Crypto Rule for Banks
Banking Exchange
"The European Banking Authority (EBA) has finalized a stringent set of rules requiring banks across the European Union to hold substantially higher capital reserves against unbacked cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. The new framework aims to harmonize capital requirements across EU member states and applies to banks holding crypto assets on their balance sheets. Under the rules, banks must assign a risk weight of 1,250% to Group 2b assets, which include unbacked tokens like Bitcoin and Ether. This means a €1 million exposure to such assets would require €12.5 million in capital reserves."
EMVCo Requests Feedback on Electric Vehicle Open Payments Solution
EMVCo
EMVCo, the global technical body for the payments industry, has released a draft document describing an interoperable open payment solution for electric vehicle (EV) charging. All interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback on the draft by Wednesday 03 September.
Klarna to Launch as a Payment Option in Autofill on Chrome, Expanding Work with Google Pay
Klarna
"Klarna will soon be available as a payment option within autofill on Chrome for eligible users in the U.S. Starting later this year, U.S. Chrome users will soon see Klarna’s interest-free Pay in 4 available in Autofill for purchases over $35, enabling a smoother, more flexible checkout experience. Financing will also be available for higher ticket items with monthly repayments made over a longer period of time, starting at 0% APR."
Brazil’s Drex CBDC Project Pivots Away From Blockchain, Tokenization
Ledger Insights
"DREX was always part of an open finance push by the Banco Central do Brasil, and it will remain so. But the focus of the next phase of work is now far narrower – for brokers to enable clients to use assets – stocks, bonds and others – as loan collateral. So it’s now a lien reconciliation project that will use neither blockchain nor decentralization technologies, but will integrate with PIX, Brazil’s successful retail instant payment system."
China Eyes RMB Stablecoin To Challenge Dollar Dominance After CBDC Plans Stall
CCN
"After years of promoting its central bank digital currency (CBDC), China is quietly changing course. The e-CNY, once touted as the future of digital payments in the country, has lost momentum. This is due in part to slow adoption and a recent corruption scandal involving its key architect. Now, officials are warming up to a more flexible alternative: stablecoins."
Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report
Visa
"Visa’s Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report underscored that globally digital apps are firmly the preferred method for people to send and receive remittances. Thanks to their ease of use and security features, apps are the favoured way to send and receive payments in every country surveyed, with the overall indication that there will be an increase in sending remittance in the future."
On the wires
Eldorado Gaming Integrates Pix to Enhance Payment Experience for Brazilian Users
GlobeNewswire News Room
"Eldorado.gg, the world’s leading online peer-to-peer marketplace for digital game goods, has announced the integration of PIX, Brazil’s real-time payment system, into its local platform at Eldorado.gg/br/. The move is designed to enhance the user experience for Brazilian gamers by offering a fast, secure, and familiar payment option."
Affirm Expands Work With Google Pay, Integrates With Autofill on Chrome
Business Wire
"Affirm announced that it is expanding its collaboration with Google Pay and making its payment options available via autofill on Chrome. This announcement builds on Affirm’s launch on Google Pay in 2024, which enabled eligible consumers to pay over time with Affirm wherever the Google Pay button is accepted. Now, using autofill on Chrome, eligible shoppers can pay over time with Affirm quickly and conveniently, at more places where they shop."
August 12, 2025
On the web
Stripe’s Mysterious New Blockchain Could Rival Ethereum
Crypto Economy
"Stripe is discreetly developing a payments-focused blockchain named Tempo in collaboration with the crypto venture firm Paradigm, as indicated by a recently deleted job listing. Tempo is described as a high-performance, payments-focused layer 1 that will run code compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, which means developers can port existing smart contracts and tooling with minimal friction."
One-Third of Consumers Make Urgent or Same-Day Bill Payments, Finds ACI Worldwide Speedpay Pulse Report
ACI
"The need for faster payments is surging, with three out of ten consumers now making urgent or same-day bill payments—84% of whom are Gen Z and Millennials, according to the 2025 ACI Speedpay Pulse Report, published by ACI Worldwide, an original innovator in global payments technology. Out of the 25% consumers who would consider paying for faster payment processing, 79% are Gen Z and Millennials. Younger consumers are setting a new standard for bill pay, shaped by a culture of on-demand services and instant access."
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."
New Lloyds Banking Feature Lets You Deposit Cash in Shops With a Barcode
MSN
"Lloyds customers will soon be able to scan a barcode generated in their banking app to deposit cash into their bank accounts. The banking giant has launched a new 'barcode cash deposit' feature which will allow customers to deposit cash at over 30,000 PayPoint locations around the country."
‘Future Will Be Combination of Traditional and Crypto Payments,’ Says Visa’s Crypto Chief as Stablecoin Market Hit $269B
Crypto News
"Visa’s head of crypto, Cuy Sheffield, predicts the future will combine traditional and crypto payments as the stablecoin market reaches $269 billion, growing 62% over the past year with potential to expand to $2 trillion within three years. The payments giant has surpassed $200 million in cumulative stablecoin settlement volume while positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets rather than viewing stablecoins as a threat to its core business."
Thredd Becomes First Issuer-Processor to Offer Real Time Control Over B2B Travel Payments Through the Mastercard Wholesale Program
Thredd
"Thredd, a leading next-generation global issuer processor, today announced it has become the first to offer its travel agency customers real time payment control through new flexible product codes made possible through the Mastercard Wholesale Program (MWP). This new capability enables Thredd’s customers to better respond to supplier needs based on geography, product type and volume, while optimizing business-to-business travel payments through greater visibility, adaptability, and control."
The Future of $40 Trillion in Cross-Border B2B Payments
Financial IT
"Every year, around $40 trillion flows through cross-border B2B payments, forming a significant portion of the broader $194 trillion global payments market, yet the majority still moves on outdated rails. This traditional, inefficient banking infrastructure was never designed for what our global economy demands today. At the heart of traditional cross-border payments is a complex web of intermediaries."
On the wires
Klarna Cashed In on ‘Buy Now, Pay Later.’ Now It Wants to Be a Bank
Bloomberg
As the payments giant prepares an IPO, it’s trying to persuade millions of consumers to use its debit cards.
Companies Plan Stablecoins Under New Law, but Experts Say Hurdles Remain
Reuters
"Financial companies from Bank of America to Fiserv are preparing to launch their own dollar-backed crypto tokens now that a new U.S. law has established the first-ever rules for stablecoins, but experts warn the path forward could be anything but simple. Companies have to embark on a lengthy process to deploy their own stablecoins, or decide whether it makes more sense to integrate existing stablecoins, like issuer Circle's USDC, into their business."
Paytm’s Unit Gets Indian Central Bank Nod to Operate as Online Payment Aggregator
Reuters
"Indian fintech firm Paytm's Payment Services unit has got 'in-principle' approval from the country's central bank to operate as an online payment aggregator. In August 2024, the company had said it would submit an application with the Reserve Bank of India to seek a payment aggregator license. That move came seven months after the central bank ordered it to wind down its payments bank."
August 11, 2025
On the web
The Majority of the US’s Largest Banks Have Embraced Crypto Services
Banking Exchange
"More than half of the 25 largest banks in the US are now either considering or actively rolling out crypto-related products. Bitcoin service provider River shared a status chart tracking these banking giants across two areas: custody and trading. The snapshot revealed that 13 of the largest banks have advanced from “not yet” to “exploring,” “announced,” or even offering limited access to crypto services, primarily targeting high-net-worth clients."
Sheetz Rolls Out Half-Price Crypto Payments, Eyeing Cost Savings and Customer Loyalty
Cryptones
"The company has launched a daily promotion offering customers 50% off purchases when they pay with Bitcoin or select cryptocurrencies. While the discount grabs attention, Sheetz insists it’s more than a headline play. By settling transactions directly in crypto, the company says it can cut payment processing fees by up to half – a shift that could meaningfully boost margins in a competitive retail market."
The European Central Bank Collaborates with Diebold Nixdorf for Digital Euro Innovation Platform
Diebold
"Diebold Nixdorf announced its participation as one of 70 contributors in the European Central Bank's (ECB) innovation platform to explore digital euro payment functionalities and use cases. The digital euro is intended to be a form of digital cash universally accepted in the European Union, complementing current forms of payment. The ECB will publish findings from the workstreams in a report later this year."
On the wires
Stripe Users Can Now Accept Pix in Brazil via Ebanx
PR Newswire
"EBANX, a global technology company specializing in payment services for emerging markets, has deepened its four-year partnership with programmable financial services company Stripe to expand coverage of Brazilian payment methods worldwide. Businesses on Stripe can now offer Pix, the popular instant payment method developed by the Central Bank of Brazil."
Take us with you
Payments on Fire is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and other podcast apps and services. Or just say “Alexa, play Payments on Fire podcast.”
