Skip to content
Archive · March 9, 2026

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

Irish Banks Launch Zippay to Challenge Revolut's Dominance in P2P Payments

Ireland's top three retail banks have launched Zippay, an in-app mobile payment service developed by Nexi, to compete with fintech giant Revolut. This intensifies competition in the Irish fintech space, potentially driving innovation and better services for consumers. Traditional banks are enhancing their digital offerings to reclaim market share from fintechs, which could lead to increased partnerships and innovations in the sector.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Real-Time Payments in North America Transition from Expansion to Execution

Real-time payments in North America are moving from expansion to execution, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico modernizing their systems. This shift could redefine competitive dynamics, as institutions that adapt quickly will gain a significant advantage in transaction speed and customer satisfaction. The demand for real-time payment solutions is expected to rise, prompting potential regulatory updates to accommodate these new technologies.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

Visa Reports 75% of Singapore Consumers Use AI for Shopping

Visa reports that over 75% of consumers in Singapore utilize AI for shopping, indicating a significant shift towards intelligent commerce in the Asia Pacific region. Companies integrating AI into their commerce platforms may gain a competitive edge in consumer engagement and operational efficiency. This trend reflects the growing importance of AI in commerce, which could lead to new business models and regulatory considerations around data privacy.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Revolut Applies for OCC Charter to Expand U.S. Operations

Revolut has applied for an OCC charter, aiming to enhance its regulatory standing and broaden its U.S. operations. Securing this charter could provide Revolut with a competitive edge, allowing it to offer more comprehensive banking services. This move aligns with the trend of fintechs seeking regulatory approval to expand, which may prompt traditional banks to innovate in response to increased competition.

Source: Banking Dive
№05

Bank of Canada Completes Experiment with Tokenized Bonds Using DLT

The Bank of Canada has successfully completed an experiment issuing tokenized bonds using distributed ledger technology, settling payments in wholesale central bank deposits. This initiative could pave the way for more efficient bond markets and inspire similar projects globally, challenging traditional bond issuance methods. Increased DLT adoption in financial markets may influence regulatory frameworks and cross-border collaborations.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“Did you know that the first payment processing system for credit cards was created in 1950 by Ralph Schneider and matriarchal entrepreneur Frank McNamara, who utilized a 5% fee model to establish a platform for secure transactions? This innovation marked the beginning of what would evolve into the complex payment processing systems we use today.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

What's Hot