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Archive · January 16, 2026

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The Lead

Story 01

FCA Opens Applications for Stablecoin Sprint

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a 'stablecoin sprint' to engage fintechs, banks, and stakeholders in developing regulatory frameworks for stablecoins. This initiative could position the UK as a leader in stablecoin regulation, attracting more financial institutions to its jurisdiction. The success of the sprint depends on stakeholder engagement and the FCA's ability to balance innovation with regulation. Expect increased collaboration between regulators and the private sector, potentially leading to faster adoption of stablecoins in mainstream financial services.

Also Worth Knowing
02

Ripple and LMAX Group Expand Institutional Stablecoin Use

Ripple and LMAX Group have partnered to expand the use of institutional stablecoins, with Ripple providing $150 million to integrate RLUSD as collateral across LMAX's trading venues. This partnership could enhance Ripple's influence in the institutional trading space. The success of this initiative hinges on regulatory acceptance and the ability of stablecoins to maintain their value and stability in volatile markets. The integration of stablecoins as collateral could lead to increased liquidity and reduced volatility in trading markets, encouraging more institutions to explore digital assets.

Source: The Block
03

Interactive Brokers Unlocks 24/7 Funding with USDC

Interactive Brokers has integrated USDC to enable 24/7 funding for clients, with plans to roll out Ripple and PayPal stablecoins soon. This positions Interactive Brokers as a leader in providing seamless funding options for crypto trading. While innovative, the reliance on stablecoins requires robust risk management strategies to mitigate potential volatility and regulatory challenges. The integration of stablecoins could lead to increased trading volumes and liquidity, as clients benefit from round-the-clock funding capabilities.

Source: The Block
04

Klarna Moves into P2P Payments

Klarna has launched instant peer-to-peer (P2P) payments across 13 European countries, marking its evolution towards becoming a comprehensive digital bank. This move could disrupt existing players like PayPal and Venmo by leveraging Klarna's extensive user base. Klarna's success in P2P payments will depend on its ability to differentiate its offering from established players and integrate seamlessly with its existing services. This move could lead to increased competition in the European P2P payments market, potentially driving down transaction fees and encouraging further innovation in digital banking services.

Source: Finextra
05

Swift to Build Shared Ledger for Tokenised Asset Transactions

Swift is integrating a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure, following successful interoperability trials with major banks. This move could redefine cross-border transactions, challenging blockchain-native platforms by leveraging Swift's established network. The real challenge will be achieving seamless integration with existing systems. The integration of blockchain could lead to faster, more transparent cross-border transactions, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency for financial institutions.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
Did you know that the UK's FCA is actively engaging fintechs and banks to shape stablecoin regulations, potentially positioning the UK as a global leader in this space?

Source: Finextra