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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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January 23, 2026
On the web
Agentic Commerce, mPOS Devices to Lead Hong Kong Retail in 2026
Retail Asia
"The top payment trends that will influence Hong Kong's retail market in 2026 are the rise of agentic commerce, mobile payment (mPOS) devices, and embedded checkouts in e-commerce, according to Adyen. The city’s payments ecosystem will ensure every AI-driven purchase is secure and verifiable, but businesses must also maintain autonomy over payment methods and customer identity to safeguard transactions, it added."
Can Apple Pay Eat Up Google Pay, PhonePe in India
Telecom Talk
"Apple is eyeing India to launch its payment system Apple Pay. The tech is already a part of millions of users across the globe, and is very much a domninant payments platform in the United States (US). India is a natural curve for Apple to launch this tech in. The Indian market has hundreds of millions of users who utilise UPI (Unified Payments Interface) to make payments through apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Cred and more."
January 22, 2026
On the web
Chinese Tech Giants Launch Agentic Commerce Push
The Tech Buzz
"China's tech giants are charging ahead in the AI arms race with a bold new play: turning chatbots into autonomous shopping assistants. Alibaba just overhauled its Qwen AI chatbot to handle end-to-end transactions—from food orders to flight bookings to payments—all without users leaving the chat interface. ByteDance and Tencent aren't far behind."
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 21, 2026
On the web
The Government of Bermuda Announces Plans to be the World’s First Fully Onchain National Economy with Support from Circle and Coinbase
Circle
"At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, the Government of Bermuda announced their plans to transform Bermuda into the world’s first fully onchain national economy with support from Circle and Coinbase. An onchain economy means using digital assets as everyday financial infrastructure."
Apple Pay Inches Closer to India, but Full Launch Still Some Distance Away
The Times of India
"Apple is in discussions with Indian regulators and banking partners to explore the introduction of Apple Pay in the country, with timelines likely extending into 2026. While speculation about an imminent launch has grown in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter caution that Apple Pay is not yet available for everyday domestic transactions in India. At present, Apple Pay’s presence in India is limited to cross border payments."
Digital Payments Solution to Help Local SMSs Grow With AI, Launched in Malaysia
Future CIO
"TNG Digital Sdn. Bhd., TNG eWallet, the operator of the Malaysia-based digital financial services and lifestyle app, and EPOS, the all-in-one SME transformation platform of Ant International, have launched EPOS360 in Malaysia. TNG eWallet features such as Near Me vouchers allow merchants to reach over 25 million users while managing key business functions within a single solution."
January 20, 2026
Top Post
Why Chinas Interest-Bearing CBDC Changes Global Playbook
India
"On January 1, 2026, China crossed a line most central banks have deliberately avoided. The digital yuan (e-CNY) began paying interest. According to Reuters, verified wallet holders will now earn interest at demand deposit rates under a new management framework that took effect the same day. This is a deliberate digital payments policy choice that reshapes how people decide where money sits. An interest-bearing CBDC competes directly with deposits, pulling monetary design closer to the banking core rather than keeping it at the edges."
On the web
JCB, Digital Garage and Resona Bank Partner on Stablecoin Retail Payments
Ledger Insights
"JCB, Japan’s major card brand that competes with Visa and Mastercard, has partnered with Digital Garage, one of the country’s largest e-commerce payment providers, and Resona Holdings, Japan’s fourth largest bank, to develop stablecoin payment infrastructure. The companies will conduct a pilot program using USD and JPY denominated stablecoins at physical retail locations."
On the wires
Walmart-Backed PhonePe Gets SEBI Approval for India IPO
Reuters
"Walmart-backed Indian payments firm PhonePe has received regulatory approval for its stock market listing from the market regulator after confidentially filing for an initial public offering in September, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday."
January 19, 2026
On the web
India, China, South Africa, Other BRICS Nations to Explore Digital Currency Link to Crush Dollar
Business Insider Africa
"India has proposed that BRICS nations explore linking their official digital currencies to simplify cross-border trade and tourism payments, a move that could gradually reduce reliance on the US dollar as geopolitical tensions intensify."
Cash Payments To Be Banned At Toll Plazas From April 1? [India]
NDTV
"India's highway travel is on the cusp of a digital transformation. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to implement a ban on cash payments at national highway toll plazas from April 1. Commuters will be required to use either FASTag or UPI to pay tolls, aiming to reduce congestion and streamline travel."
January 16, 2026
On the web
Hong Kong Tightens Stablecoin Regulations for Non-Institutional Participants
Phemex
"Hong Kong has transitioned to a more stringent regulatory framework for stablecoins, impacting non-institutional participants significantly. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) now views stablecoins, particularly fiat-backed ones, as potentially systemic payment instruments. This shift requires issuers to obtain licenses from the Hong Kong Financial Services Authority (FSA) and meet high capital and reserve requirements, effectively filtering out non-compliant assets."
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.
China-Led Cross-Border Digital Currency Platform Sees Surge in Transactions
The Business Times
"Transactions on a new China-led digital currency platform have surged to over US$55 billion, a new report shows. It is the latest sign that efforts to build alternatives to US-dollar-dependent global payment systems are gaining traction. Data crunched by the Washington-based Atlantic Council showed the prototype mBridge platform had now processed more than 4,000 cross-border transactions. It is being tested by central banks in China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others."
January 15, 2026
On the web
Digital Wallets Become the Fastest-Growing Payment Method in Brazilian E-Commerce in 2025, PCMI/EBANX Reports
EBANX
"Digital wallet usage in Brazilian e-commerce surged 20% last year, making it the country’s fastest-growing payment method in 2025, according to an EBANX analysis of Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data. The Year-over-Year 2024–2025 increase exceeded Pix’s. Brazil’s flagship instant payment system grew 18% over the same period."
China’s Digital Yuan Architect Accused of $8M Crypto Bribery Scheme
Cryptonews
"Yao Qian, the former architect of China’s digital yuan, accepted crypto bribes worth over $8 million while holding senior regulatory positions, Chinese state media revealed this week. The case exposes how corrupt officials exploited the same blockchain technology Yao helped develop to conceal illicit transactions through hardware wallets and anonymous transfers."
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."
January 9, 2026
On the web
Building a Smoother Path to Instant Payments in Ethiopia
AfricaNenda
"Ethiopia has been steadily advancing its digital payments landscape. Banks, microfinance institutions, and new market players are working hard to offer customers faster and more reliable ways to move money. But as the sector grows, many institutions face the same challenge: connecting their systems to the national Instant Payment System (IPS) in a way that doesn’t require major internal restructuring. EthSwitch’s new middleware initiative was created to address exactly this challenge."
January 7, 2026
On the web
China’s First CBDC Oil Purchase Is a Warning for Crypto
Weiss Ratings
"China has been buying oil using its yuan, rather than U.S. dollars, since 2023. But this marked the first time it used its own Central Bank Digital Currency to do so. The ramifications of this move will ripple through multiple markets. But we’ll likely see the first impacts hit right at home on the blockchain."
January 6, 2026
Top Post
Digital Yuan Morphs From CBDC Into Digital Bank Deposits to Rival Stablecoins
Ledger Insights
"The retail digital yuan is no longer a central bank digital currency. China’s version 2.0 upgrade, launched 1 January 2026, has transformed it into a commercial bank deposit solution where retail balances become liabilities of the holding institution – whether a bank or non-bank payment provider."
On the web
UnionPay Intros Nihao China App
ATM Marketplace
"UnionPay launched the "Nihao China" mobile application Friday at the China International Travel Mart, aiming to centralize payment and transit services for foreign visitors, according to a press release. The digital platform allows international travelers to register via email or Apple ID and link foreign-issued bank cards, including UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard. The app integrates the three major domestic payment networks — UnionPay, Alipay and WeChat Pay."
January 5, 2026
On the wires
Flutterwave Expands Payments Infrastructure With Acquisition of Open Banking Firm Mono
PR Newswire
"Flutterwave, Africa's leading payments technology company, has acquired Mono, a pioneer in open banking infrastructure across the continent. The transaction deepens Flutterwave's long-term commitment to building a connected, interoperable financial system for Africa and positions open banking as a core pillar in the evolution of alternative payment methods across the region."
January 2, 2026
On the web
RBI Sees Stablecoins As Threat, Pushes CBDC Vision (India)
Cointribune
"While stablecoins reach $307 billion in 2025, India adopts a radically opposite stance. The Indian central bank (RBI) rejects stablecoins and defends its own digital currency, the CBDC. According to the RBI, only CBDCs guarantee financial stability, confidence in currency, and monetary sovereignty. The institution warns of systemic risks that stablecoins could cause, especially during periods of economic stress."
Interest Payments to Start for China’s Digital Yuan in 2026
Digital Watch Observatory
"A significant shift away from global views on central bank digital currencies has been made with the decision to allow China’s digital yuan to earn interest starting in January 2026. China’s decision could influence global debates as dozens of countries continue to explore the use of digital currencies. While Europe remains committed to a non-interest-bearing digital € and the United States has formally banned a retail CBDC, China is testing whether an interest-paying digital currency can coexist with traditional banking."
December 19, 2025
On the web
EthSwitch Marks Major Advance in Instant Payment Systems with EthioPay Launch
Shega
"Ethiopia’s national switch operator, EthSwitch, unveiled a long-awaited overhaul of the country’s payment rails, officially launching an interoperable instant payment system known as EthioPay. Developed over two years, the system enables same-day settlement for interbank transfers, replacing the Real Time Gross Settlement platform, which has long drawn criticism from banks and businesses for delays that constrained liquidity across the financial system."
December 18, 2025
On the web
Joint European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Central Bank (ECB) Report on Payment Fraud: Strong Authentication Remains Effective but Fraudsters Are Adapting
European Central Bank
In 2024, the payment fraud rate in the European Economic Area is stable at around 0.002% of the total value of transactions in a calendar year. The total value of fraud increased to €4.2 billion in 2024 from €3.5 billion in 2023. However, new types of fraud are on the rise, particularly the manipulation of payers, which will require additional and new mitigation approaches."
December 17, 2025
On the web
Nigerian Banks Must Refund Fraud Victims Within 16 Working Days Under New Central Bank of Nigeria Framework
TechCabal
"The Central Bank of Nigeria is rolling out a new framework to tackle rising fraud in the banking sector: customers must now report fraudulent transactions within 72 hours, while financial institutions, including banks and fintechs, are bound by a 16-working-day cycle to investigate and issue refunds. The new rules come as fraud in Nigeria’s financial sector continues to surge."
Japan’s Tokenized Deposit Solution DCJPY to Be Used at Retail POS
Ledger Insights
"DeCurret DCP, the developer of the DCJPY tokenized deposit solution, has entered into an agreement with Transaction Media Networks (TMN) to explore retail usage of DCJPY. TMN partners with retailers to provide point of sale solutions. It also offers solutions to merchants to sell gift cards and other prepaid cards. A major feature is the use of customer data to target promotions, which will be central to the DeCurret DCP partnership and exploration of distributed ledger applications."
Google Pay Enters RuPay-UPI Credit Card Space With Axis Bank Partnership
Storyboard18
"Popular UPI payments app Google Pay has launched a co-branded credit card in partnership with Axis Bank on the RuPay network, enabling users to link the card directly to their UPI accounts for merchant payments. A key differentiator of the card is its instant rewards mechanism, which allows users to earn cashbacks or rewards in real time and redeem them on their very next transaction."