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Archive · April 12, 2026

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Story 01

Fed Study: Stablecoins Rarely Used for Real-World Payments, Mostly Circulate Within Crypto Markets

The Federal Reserve’s latest research finds that over 95% of stablecoin transactions occur within crypto trading platforms, with minimal use for merchant payments or remittances. This limited adoption underscores a significant gap between stablecoin narratives and their practical utility for banks, merchants, and PSPs. Stablecoin issuers now face regulatory scrutiny to demonstrate real-world payment use cases, while payment processors exploring stablecoin rails may need to reassess their product strategies.

Source: PYMNTS
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Adyen Unveils Centralized Treasury Solution, Challenging Legacy Banks’ Corporate Cash Management

Adyen launched a treasury management tool designed to help multinational enterprises centralize cash flows and automate reconciliation across markets. Large corporates can now reduce reliance on fragmented banking relationships, putting legacy banks’ corporate treasury and cash management revenues at risk. Banks may need to accelerate digital treasury offerings or partner with fintechs to retain enterprise clients seeking integrated solutions.

Source: Banking Dive
№03

Collide Capital Raises $95M Fund II to Back Fintechs Targeting Compliance and Embedded Finance

Collide Capital closed a $95 million fund to invest in startups building AI-driven compliance, embedded finance, and payment automation tools. This new capital will accelerate the entry of fintechs offering specialized solutions to banks and merchants. Legacy banks should consider piloting or integrating with these startups to access next-generation compliance and payment technologies before competitors do.

Source: TechCrunch
№04

Visa and Mastercard Face New EU Interchange Fee Investigation

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into whether Visa and Mastercard’s cross-border interchange fees violate EU competition rules. Merchants operating across borders could see lower card acceptance costs if regulators force fee reductions. Acquirers and card networks may need to adjust pricing models and prepare for potential retroactive penalties.

Source: Reuters
№05

Revolut Deploys AI Assistant to Automate Customer Support and Internal Workflows

Revolut has introduced an AI assistant to handle customer queries and streamline back-office tasks, aiming to improve service speed and reduce operational costs. Fintechs and neobanks now face pressure to match this level of automation, while traditional banks relying on manual support risk losing ground in customer experience. Banks should evaluate AI-driven support tools to remain competitive.

Source: Sifted
The Long Memory
“In 1967, the world’s first ATM was installed in London and used a special paper voucher, not a plastic card, to dispense cash to customers.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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