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Archive · May 30, 2026

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The Lead

Story 01

Paxos Wins SEC Approval to Settle Securities Directly on Blockchain Rails

Paxos secured SEC approval to provide clearing and settlement services for securities on blockchain, marking the first such regulatory green light in the US. This gives Paxos a first-mover advantage over both blockchain startups and legacy clearinghouses, opening the door for institutional adoption of blockchain-based settlement. Traditional clearing firms now face direct competition from regulated blockchain providers, and broker-dealers and asset managers can now access a regulated blockchain settlement option.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Visa Commits €500 Million to European Data Center Amid Sovereignty Push

Visa announced a €500 million investment in Europe, including a new data processing center, as the debate over European payments sovereignty intensifies. This move positions Visa to defend its market share against local schemes and regulators seeking to reduce reliance on US payment infrastructure. European banks and PSPs may gain leverage in negotiations, while US rivals could be pressured to localize operations. Mastercard and other global networks may need to reassess their European strategies in response.

Source: Finextra
№03

JPMorgan Targets Global Retail Banking Growth Beyond US Borders

JPMorgan Chase is expanding its retail banking operations internationally, seeking new growth outside its US stronghold. This move puts pressure on local banks and fintechs in target markets, as JPMorgan brings deep capital and digital capabilities to compete for consumer deposits and lending. Regional incumbents may need to accelerate digital transformation or consider defensive partnerships, especially in markets with high digital adoption.

Source: Financial Times
№04

Airwallex Launches Billing Platform to Challenge Legacy B2B Software

Airwallex introduced a new billing solution, adding invoicing and subscription management to its global payments suite. This expansion targets businesses seeking integrated billing and payment tools, putting pressure on legacy billing software providers such as SAP and Oracle. Competing B2B fintechs like Stripe and Adyen may need to accelerate their product roadmaps or form new partnerships to maintain their competitive edge.

Source: PYMNTS
№05

US Treasury Seizes $1 Billion in Iranian Crypto, Escalating Regulatory Scrutiny

The US Treasury seized nearly $1 billion in Iranian crypto assets, underscoring the growing intersection of sanctions enforcement and crypto regulation. This action increases compliance risk for global crypto exchanges and custodians handling high-risk jurisdictions. Crypto asset holders and platforms now face heightened due diligence requirements and potential asset freezes, raising the stakes for compliance teams at exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.

Source: The Block
The Long Memory
“In 2026, mobile payments in China are projected to account for over 80% of all in-store transactions, far surpassing adoption rates in Europe and North America.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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