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Archive · July 19, 2026

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Story 01

PayPal Rejects $53 Billion Stripe-Advent Bid, Signaling Confidence in Standalone Value

PayPal’s board has turned down a $53 billion acquisition offer from Stripe and Advent, calling the bid inadequate. The move underscores PayPal’s belief in its independent growth prospects and highlights the high valuation hurdles for mega-fintech M&A. Stripe and Advent may need to target smaller firms or revise their strategy to expand at scale. The episode puts a spotlight on the premium attached to established wallet and checkout franchises in 2026.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Pliant Enters US B2B Payments Market Through Coastal Partnership

German fintech Pliant has launched its B2B payments platform in the US via a partnership with Coastal. This expansion brings new competition to established US B2B payment providers, especially in virtual cards and expense management. US banks and fintechs now face a more crowded field for SME and corporate payment flows. Pliant is actively onboarding US businesses and integrating with local financial institutions to accelerate adoption.

Source: Finextra
№03

SBI Holdings Acquires Coinhako, Expanding Crypto Network in Asia

SBI Holdings has completed its acquisition of Singapore-based crypto platform Coinhako, following regulatory approval from MAS. The deal strengthens SBI’s digital asset footprint in Southeast Asia and positions it to offer broader crypto services across the region. Competing crypto exchanges and regional banks now face a larger, more integrated rival in Asian digital assets. SBI’s move may prompt other financial groups to seek similar acquisitions for scale and regulatory reach.

Source: The Block
№04

Citizens Bank to Close 100 In-Store Branches, Pivoting to Wealth Management Hubs

Citizens Bank will shutter around 100 in-store branches and open 50 new locations focused on wealth management and affluent clients. This shift reflects a broader industry trend of reallocating physical presence toward higher-margin advisory services. Traditional retail banking customers may see reduced access, while competitors could follow suit to chase fee-based revenue. The move signals that branch strategy in 2026 is increasingly about targeted client segments, not blanket coverage.

Source: Banking Dive
№05

US Regulators Miss Stablecoin Rule Deadline, Extending Uncertainty for Issuers

US regulators failed to meet the GENIUS Act’s deadline for finalizing stablecoin regulations, leaving issuers and banks in limbo. The delay complicates compliance planning for Circle, PayPal, and other stablecoin providers seeking clarity on reserve and licensing requirements. Without clear rules, institutional adoption of stablecoins for payments and treasury remains cautious. Market participants now await signals on whether Congress or the OCC will break the regulatory deadlock.

Source: The Block
The Long Memory
“In 2023, over 60% of US consumers used at least two different digital wallets monthly, yet nearly half still carried cash for backup.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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