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Archive · January 23, 2026

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The Lead

Story 01

Revolut Abandons US Merger for Standalone License, Intensifying Fintech Competition

Revolut has decided to scrap its plans for a US merger and instead pursue a standalone banking license to solidify its presence in the American market. This strategic pivot could intensify competition in the US fintech landscape, affecting potential banking partners and other fintechs aiming for similar licenses. This decision may encourage other fintechs to consider standalone licenses over mergers, potentially leading to a more fragmented but diverse market.

Source: Financial Times
Also Worth Knowing
№02

PayPal Acquires Cymbio to Enhance Agentic Commerce and Digital Channel Management

PayPal has acquired Cymbio, a multi-channel orchestration platform, to bolster its agentic commerce capabilities, enhancing its ability to manage commerce across various digital channels. This acquisition strengthens PayPal's competitive position in the agentic commerce space, impacting digital merchants and competitors. Expect increased innovation in agentic commerce solutions as competitors strive to match or exceed PayPal's enhanced capabilities.

Source: Finextra
№03

Flutterwave Introduces Stablecoin Wallets in Africa, Disrupting Traditional Payments

Flutterwave has partnered with Turnkey and Nuvion to launch stablecoin wallets for merchants across Africa, aiming to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions and enhance financial inclusion. This initiative could disrupt traditional payment methods, affecting African merchants and competitors in the payments landscape. This initiative may accelerate the adoption of stablecoins in Africa, prompting regulatory bodies to establish clearer guidelines for digital currencies.

Source: Finextra
№04

Capital One Acquires Brex to Expand Business Payments and Embedded Finance Solutions

Capital One has acquired Brex to enhance its business banking and payments capabilities, aiming to expand its reach in payables, receivables, and spend management. This acquisition positions Capital One as a formidable player in the business payments sector, impacting competitors and corporate clients. Expect increased M&A activity as competitors seek to bolster their capabilities in response to Capital One's strategic move.

Source: PYMNTS
№05

Noah and Picnic Enable USD-Native Payroll in Brazil, Leveraging Stablecoin Infrastructure

Noah and Picnic have partnered to offer USD-native payroll and settlement services to Brazil's global workforce, leveraging stablecoin infrastructure for seamless transactions. This partnership enhances the competitiveness of both companies in the global payroll market, affecting Brazilian workers and companies with global payroll needs. Expect increased adoption of stablecoin-based payroll solutions, prompting other providers to explore similar offerings.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“Did you know that Bermuda is aiming to become the world's first fully onchain national economy, leveraging stablecoins and blockchain technology for economic transactions?

Source: Finextra ↗