Skip to content
Archive · June 29, 2025

Five critical payments insights.
Zero noise.
Daily.

The 5-minute briefing for payments professionals who need to know what happened, what it means, and what to do about it — before their 9am.

Trusted by payments operators

Joined by 60+ product, risk, and partnerships leads at networks, issuers, acquirers, and fintechs.

The Lead

Story 01

UK Tribunal Finds Visa and Mastercard Fees Unlawful

The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that Visa and Mastercard's interchange fees breach European competition law, potentially reshaping transaction fee structures and impacting revenue streams for these credit giants. This decision could set a precedent, intensifying regulatory scrutiny across European payment networks.

Also Worth Knowing
02

Belgium Investigates Worldline for Money Laundering

Belgian authorities are probing the local unit of payment processor Worldline for alleged money laundering. This investigation could lead to tighter regulatory controls and operational standards in the European payments sector, affecting compliance practices industry-wide.

Source:
03

Lesaka Technologies Set to Acquire Bank Zero for $62 Million

In a move to dominate the South African fintech market, Lesaka Technologies plans to acquire Bank Zero Mutual Bank. This $62 million deal could revolutionize digital banking in the region, providing a blueprint for fintech expansion in emerging markets.

Source:
04

Starling Bank Plans to Enter U.S. Market Through Acquisition

Starling Bank is eyeing an expansion into the U.S. by acquiring a local bank, signaling a strategic move to tap into the American financial market. This could escalate competition in the U.S. banking sector, showcasing the aggressive growth strategies of European fintechs.

Source:
05

Alibaba Introduces BNPL for U.S. B2B Customers

Alibaba.com has launched a buy now, pay later option for its U.S. business users, in collaboration with Balance. This new payment flexibility could transform purchasing dynamics in the B2B sector, highlighting the growing influence of BNPL schemes in commercial transactions.

Source:
The Long Memory
Did you know that the largest U.S. banks have recently passed the Federal Reserve's stress tests, showcasing their resilience and robustness in less severe economic scenarios?

Source: