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Archive · March 13, 2026

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Story 01

HSBC and Standard Chartered to Receive Hong Kong Stablecoin Licenses

HSBC and Standard Chartered are set to be the first recipients of Hong Kong's stablecoin licenses, as the HKMA received 36 applications under the new regulatory framework. This could give them a competitive edge in the digital currency space, enhancing their cross-border transaction capabilities. The move reflects a growing trend of stablecoins moving towards mainstream financial systems with regulatory backing, which could lead to increased stablecoin adoption in Hong Kong and potential regulatory developments in other regions.

Source: The Block
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Santander Tests Agentic Payments Across Latin America

Banco Santander has conducted its first live transactions using agentic payments with Visa in multiple Latin American markets, marking a significant step in adopting AI-driven payment solutions. This positions Santander as a leader in AI-driven payments, potentially setting a precedent for other banks and fintechs in the region. Increased adoption of agentic payments in Latin America could drive innovation and competition in the region's payment landscape, although regulatory hurdles and consumer trust issues may pose challenges.

Source: Finextra
№03

Mastercard Expands China Connectivity with Bank of Shanghai Collaboration

Mastercard announced a collaboration with Bank of Shanghai to enable seamless payment flows between China and global markets, enhancing cross-border transaction capabilities. This strengthens Mastercard's position in China, potentially challenging local and international competitors in cross-border payments. The collaboration reflects the trend of expanding cross-border payment capabilities in collaboration with local partners, which could lead to increased transaction volumes and regulatory developments in China.

Source: Finextra
№04

Zelle and BofA Target Faster Charitable Disbursements

Zelle and Bank of America are exploring faster charitable disbursements using Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), enhancing the efficiency of charitable contributions. This initiative could position Zelle and BofA as leaders in charitable financial services, influencing other financial institutions to adopt similar solutions. Increased efficiency in charitable contributions could drive higher donation volumes and donor engagement, although the initiative's success depends on donor adoption and regulatory compliance.

Source: Finextra
№05

Wonderful Raises $150 Million for AI Agent Deployment

AI platform Wonderful raised $150 million in a Series B funding round to expand its global presence, focusing on deploying AI agents for enterprises. This positions Wonderful as a key player in the AI agent space, potentially challenging established AI companies. Increased enterprise adoption of AI agents could drive innovation and efficiency across industries, although the success of AI agents depends on integration and user acceptance.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“Did you know that in 1983, the first electronic wallet was introduced as a prototype called 'DigiCash'? This innovation allowed users to store digital currency securely and highlighted the potential for cashless transactions, setting the groundwork for today's digital payment solutions.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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