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Archive · May 14, 2026

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Story 01

Revolut Gains FCA Approval to Expand UK Investment Services

Revolut received approval from the UK's FCA to broaden its investment services, enabling it to offer a wider range of investment products to UK customers. The source does not specify a focus on higher-net-worth individuals, but the move positions Revolut to compete more directly with established banks and fintechs in the wealth management sector. Incumbent banks and digital investment platforms may respond by enhancing their digital offerings and customer engagement strategies to retain market share.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Bunq Applies for Mexican Banking License, Challenging Local and Global Fintechs

Bunq has applied for a banking license in Mexico, marking its entry into Latin America and intensifying competition with local banks and fintechs such as Nubank, Mercado Pago, and Revolut. Mexican banks may respond by launching new digital products, increasing promotional offers, or partnering with fintechs to retain customers as European challengers enter the market. Regulators will need to balance innovation with oversight as the competitive landscape shifts.

Source: Finextra
№03

Google Adds Affirm and Klarna BNPL to AI Shopping via Google Pay

Google has integrated Affirm and Klarna’s buy now, pay later options into its AI-powered shopping features, making installment payments available through Google Pay. This move expands Google’s role in digital payments and offers BNPL providers broader reach, while credit card issuers and networks may see reduced transaction volumes as consumers opt for alternative financing at checkout.

Source: Finextra
№04

Deutsche Bank Invests in Elliptic to Strengthen Crypto Compliance Standards

Elliptic raised $120 million in Series D funding led by One Peak, with Deutsche Bank joining as a strategic investor. The funding will help Elliptic expand its crypto compliance and analytics tools, setting stricter standards for anti-money laundering and regulatory reporting in digital assets. Banks and fintechs involved in crypto will need to adopt more advanced transaction monitoring systems and demonstrate robust compliance to meet evolving regulatory expectations.

Source: Finextra
№05

Paybis Secures MiCA and PSD2 Licenses, Raising Compliance Bar for EU Crypto Firms

Paybis has obtained authorization as a Crypto Asset Service Provider under the EU’s MiCA regulation and a Payment Institution license under PSD2. This dual licensing allows Paybis to offer regulated crypto services across the EU, prompting other crypto platforms to accelerate their own compliance efforts or risk losing customers as regulatory expectations increase.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“The CFPB’s 2017 rule on prepaid accounts required clear fee disclosures and fraud protections, directly impacting how fintechs and banks design and market digital wallets and prepaid cards.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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