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Archive · May 11, 2026

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Story 01

Circle’s $222M Arc Token Presale Lifts Valuation, Fuels USDC Expansion

Circle raised $222 million in an Arc token presale, reportedly bringing its valuation to $3 billion with support from a16z crypto and BlackRock. The funding will accelerate USDC adoption in cross-border payments and institutional finance, enabling Circle to invest in compliance, partnerships, and infrastructure. As Circle’s market share grows, regulators are paying closer attention to its systemic role in digital dollar flows and financial stability.

Source: The Block
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Crypto.com Wins UAE SVF License, Unlocking Regulated Government Crypto Payments

Crypto.com became the first virtual asset service provider to secure a UAE central bank SVF license, allowing it to process government crypto payments in Dubai. This regulatory approval positions Crypto.com to form new partnerships with public sector entities and expand its user base in the Middle East. Competing exchanges and fintechs are now likely to pursue similar licenses to access institutional and government payment flows in the region.

Source: The Block
№03

FDIC and OCC Battle for Stablecoin Oversight as GENIUS Act Advances

The FDIC and OCC are vying for regulatory authority over stablecoins in the US as the GENIUS Act moves forward. This contest could clarify compliance requirements and grant greater legitimacy to stablecoin issuers that meet bank-level standards. Payment processors and fintechs integrating stablecoins must closely track evolving guidance to avoid compliance missteps as oversight responsibilities shift.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Real-Time Payments Shift From Speed to Everyday Cash Flow Utility

Real-time payments are increasingly used for cash flow management, becoming integral to daily consumer and business transactions. Providers embedding real-time rails into financial workflows are gaining traction, while those slow to adapt risk losing relevance as instant settlement becomes the norm. Banks and fintechs are now prioritizing overlay services such as liquidity management and request-to-pay to stand out in a real-time payments landscape.

Source: PYMNTS
№05

Zenskar Raises $15M to Bring AI-Driven Billing to B2B Finance

Zenskar secured $15 million to address B2B billing inefficiencies with AI, focusing on automating complex billing for SaaS and enterprise finance teams. By streamlining operations for CFOs, Zenskar aims to challenge legacy providers like SAP and Oracle. If adoption grows, established enterprise software vendors may respond with their own AI billing features or targeted acquisitions to retain market share.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“The first credit card transaction occurred in 1950 with the Diners Club card, which was initially accepted at just 27 New York restaurants.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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