Skip to content
Archive · August 3, 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

Barclays Withdraws from Net Zero Banking Alliance

Barclays has exited the Net Zero Banking Alliance, following a similar move by HSBC. This departure underscores a growing skepticism among major banks about the alliance's effectiveness in aiding their environmental strategies. This could herald a broader reassessment of climate commitments within the banking industry, potentially affecting sustainability-focused investment and policy.

Also Worth Knowing
02

Hong Kong Postpones First Stablecoin Licenses to 2026

Hong Kong has delayed issuing its first stablecoin licenses until 2026, despite having legislation in place. This postponement could dampen the region's aspirations as a leading fintech hub and influence the pace and nature of stablecoin regulation worldwide, impacting global fintech markets and regulatory frameworks.

Source:
03

Visa Expands Crypto Strategy with More Stablecoins

Visa has expanded its cryptocurrency capabilities by supporting three additional stablecoins and incorporating two new blockchain networks. This strategic move not only strengthens Visa's position in the digital payments arena but also sets a new standard for how global transactions might be managed, influencing competitors and market trends.

Source:
04

Bank of America Bullish on Asset Tokenization

Bank of America has observed a surge in interest for the tokenization of tangible assets like stocks and real estate. This trend underscores the merging paths of traditional finance and blockchain technology, opening up novel avenues for investments and enhancing liquidity in the market.

Source:
05

Payroc Acquires BlueSnap, Boosting Payment Solutions

Payroc has acquired BlueSnap, enhancing its capabilities in payment orchestration and AR automation. This acquisition not only broadens Payroc's service offerings but also extends its market reach, intensifying competition in the North American payment solutions sector.

Source:
The Long Memory
Did you know that the first item ever purchased with Bitcoin was a pizza? In 2010, two pizzas were bought for 10,000 bitcoins, worth about $90 at the time!

Source: