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Archive · January 18, 2026

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The Lead

Story 01

FTC Moves Against Payment Processor Cliq, Tightening Regulatory Oversight

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested a federal court to hold payments processor Cliq and its executives in contempt for allegedly breaching a 2015 court order related to illegal credit card payment processing. This action could tighten regulatory oversight across the payment processing industry, affecting smaller firms with weaker compliance structures. The impact: increased compliance costs and potential market exits by smaller players unable to meet regulatory demands. Larger, compliant firms may benefit from this consolidation trend.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Global Crypto Card Payment Volume Surges to $1.5 Billion Monthly

Global crypto card payment volume has surged to $1.5 billion per month as of August 2025, a significant increase from $100 million per month in January 2023, indicating a rise in crypto adoption for everyday transactions. This growth poses a challenge to traditional payment networks and may accelerate the integration of crypto into mainstream financial systems. The potential for increased regulatory scrutiny and innovation in crypto payment solutions is now on the horizon.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

PhotonPay Partners with ClearBank to Enhance UK Payment Rails

PhotonPay has partnered with ClearBank to enhance access to UK payment rails, focusing on real-time clearing and embedded banking solutions. This collaboration strengthens PhotonPay's market position in the UK and poses a challenge to existing payment infrastructure providers. Increased competition and innovation in real-time payment solutions in the UK are likely to follow.

Source: Finextra
№04

Stablecoin Yield Fight Jeopardizes CLARITY Act Passage

A dispute over stablecoin yields is jeopardizing the passage of the CLARITY Act, with Coinbase and the White House clashing over regulatory strategies. This uncertainty could hinder stablecoin adoption and innovation, particularly affecting market leaders like Coinbase. The potential for revised legislation could reshape the stablecoin landscape significantly.

Source: The Block
№05

Hawk Launches AI 'Analytics Studio' for Banks and Payment Firms

Hawk has introduced an AI-powered 'Analytics Studio' aimed at banks and payment firms, providing enhanced control over AI model creation and governance. This launch positions Hawk as a leader in AI lifecycle management, challenging traditional analytics providers. The drive for wider adoption of AI in payments and financial services could enhance fraud prevention and operational efficiency.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“Did you know that global crypto card payment volume surged to $1.5 billion per month as of August 2025, up from just $100 million in January 2023?

Source: PYMNTS ↗