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Archive · May 29, 2026

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Story 01

ClearBank Launches 24/7 Digital Asset Rails for SEPA Instant Cross-Border Settlement

ClearBank has launched Digital Asset Rails, enabling programmable liquidity and 24/7 EUR payouts via SEPA Instant for cross-border settlement. This service gives fintechs and payment service providers (PSPs) faster, always-on settlement, directly challenging legacy correspondent banks. Major European banks that rely on traditional cross-border infrastructure may need to rapidly upgrade their digital asset capabilities to retain high-value business clients seeking real-time settlement.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Aave Labs Gains FCA Crypto Licenses, Unlocks Zero-Fee Fiat On-Ramps in UK

Aave Labs secured FCA cryptoasset registration, allowing its Push subsidiaries to offer zero-fee fiat on-ramps in the UK. This positions Aave as a regulated crypto payments provider, intensifying competition for UK fintechs and neobanks that lack similar licenses. Competitors may accelerate their FCA registration efforts to maintain market relevance, while the UK strengthens its appeal as a hub for regulated digital asset services.

Source: The Block
№03

TrueLayer Acquires In3 to Expand Pay by Bank Credit at Checkout

TrueLayer has acquired Dutch fintech In3, integrating consumer credit via bank payments into its Pay by Bank network. This move expands TrueLayer’s European reach and introduces direct competition to buy now, pay later (BNPL) and card-based credit at checkout. BNPL providers like Klarna and Affirm now face new competition from open banking-powered credit, signaling further consolidation as fintechs combine payments and lending.

Source: Finextra
№04

SoFi Launches Bank-Issued USD Stablecoin, Expanding Digital Asset Banking

SoFi has introduced SoFiUSD, a bank-issued USD stablecoin, enabling users to buy, sell, hold, and convert stablecoins within its app. This launch puts SoFi ahead of most US digital banks in stablecoin integration, targeting crypto-interested consumers and depositors. US banks and neobanks now face immediate competitive pressure to add stablecoin features or risk losing digital wallet users to SoFi’s expanded offering.

Source: Finextra
№05

BIS Project Agora Prototypes Tokenised Wholesale Cross-Border Payments

The BIS’s Project Agora has unveiled a prototype for programmable, tokenised wholesale cross-border payments, demonstrating efficiency gains over legacy systems. Central banks and global banks now have a working model for tokenised settlement, prompting payment processors and correspondent banks to assess tokenisation strategies as pilots move toward production. Regulatory frameworks for tokenised payments are expected to develop rapidly in response to these advances.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“In 2023, over 60% of Europeans reported using instant payments at least once a month, a rapid shift driven by SEPA Instant and open banking adoption.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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