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Archive · April 7, 2026

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Story 01

Coinbase Secures Conditional US Trust Bank Charter, Raising Stakes for Digital Asset Firms

Coinbase received conditional approval from US regulators for a national trust bank charter, enabling it to operate as a federally regulated entity and expand its financial services. This move puts Coinbase in direct competition with both traditional banks and other digital asset firms, raising the bar for regulatory compliance in crypto. Other digital asset companies are likely to pursue similar charters, intensifying the race for regulatory legitimacy and broader market access.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Mastercard Expands Financial Inclusion Efforts with Digital Economy Push

Mastercard is launching new initiatives to connect hundreds of millions of underbanked people and small businesses to the digital economy, building on its previous inclusion programs. The company is partnering with local fintechs and community organizations to accelerate digital onboarding and micro-merchant solutions, prompting banks and fintechs to expand their own outreach to underserved populations.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

Visa Survey Finds US Businesses Ready for AI-to-AI Commerce, Consumers Lag Behind

A Visa survey found that over half of US businesses are open to letting AI agents negotiate prices and terms directly with other agents, signaling readiness for agentic AI commerce. While businesses see efficiency gains, consumers remain cautious about autonomous transactions. Early adopters among merchants and payment providers could gain a competitive edge, but regulatory scrutiny and demand for robust AI governance frameworks are set to increase.

Source: Finextra
№04

Trulioo Moves Identity Verification to Continuous Monitoring Model

Trulioo is shifting from one-time identity checks to ongoing monitoring, aiming to address evolving risks across financial platforms. This sets a new standard for identity verification providers and pushes banks and fintechs to upgrade their compliance and fraud prevention infrastructure. Competitors will need to invest in continuous verification or risk losing ground in regulated markets.

Source: PYMNTS
№05

Instant Payments Security Arms Race Intensifies as AI-Driven Fraud Rises

With instant payments adoption surging, payment processors and banks are ramping up security to counter increasingly sophisticated, AI-powered fraud schemes. Providers with advanced fraud prevention tools are gaining market share, while payment processors and security firms are forming new alliances to address urgent regulatory and customer demands for stronger protections.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“Did you know that the first digital currency, eCash, was introduced in 1998 by DigiCash, enabling users to make anonymous transactions online?

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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