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Archive · February 21, 2026

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Story 01

Visa Acquires Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay in Argentina

Visa has acquired Argentinian payments firms Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay from Advent International, strengthening its position in the Latin American payments market. This acquisition impacts Visa, Prisma, Newpay, and the local payments landscape, potentially increasing competition for both local and international players. This could lead to further consolidation in the region and encourage other global payment firms to expand their presence in Latin America.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Klarna Faces Financial Struggles with Q4 Loss

Klarna's shares fell over 25% after reporting a net loss in Q4 and increasing credit loss provisions, affecting its investors and the broader BNPL market. This financial struggle may open opportunities for competitors to capture market share. This could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and changes in BNPL business models.

Source: Finextra
№03

ProShares’ Stablecoin-Ready ETF Sets Trading Record

ProShares launched a money market ETF designed for stablecoin reserves, generating $17 billion in day-one trading volume, impacting ProShares and stablecoin issuers. This ETF could attract more institutional investors to stablecoins, enhancing their legitimacy in the market. This may lead to more financial products designed around stablecoins and digital assets.

Source: The Block
№04

Bank of Ireland Fined for Anti-Fraud Tool Delay

The Payment Systems Regulator fined Bank of Ireland UK £3.7 million for delaying the implementation of an anti-fraud tool, impacting the bank and its customers. This highlights the importance of timely compliance in maintaining customer trust and market position. This may prompt other banks to prioritize compliance and fraud prevention measures.

Source: Finextra
№05

BNP Paribas Pilots Ethereum-Based Tokenization

BNP Paribas launched a tokenization pilot using Ethereum for money market funds, leveraging its AssetFoundryTM platform. This positions BNP Paribas as a leader in financial innovation, potentially influencing other banks to explore tokenization. This could accelerate the adoption of blockchain in traditional finance, impacting asset management practices.

Source: The Block
The Long Memory
“Did you know that the first credit card was made of cardboard? Diners Club introduced it in 1950 after founder Frank McNamara forgot his wallet at a restaurant, revolutionizing the way consumers approached payments.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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