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Archive · July 23, 2026

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Story 01

Nubank Acquires Banco Porto Real to Expand Services for 31.5 Million Brazilians

Nubank announced the acquisition of Banco Porto Real de Investimentos, aiming to deepen its reach and product suite for 31.5 million customers in Brazil. By adding a banking license and new capabilities, Nubank can now offer a broader range of financial products, directly challenging traditional banks’ dominance in lending and deposits. Major Brazilian banks such as Itaú and Bradesco may see increased customer attrition as Nubank leverages its digital-first approach to capture more market share.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Stripe’s AI Billing Push Drives 33% Revenue Growth and Expands Payments Reach

Stripe leveraged AI-powered billing solutions to drive a 33% revenue jump to $6.8 billion last year, targeting the fast-growing AI sector. By tailoring payments infrastructure for AI-driven businesses, Stripe is outpacing rivals and diversifying beyond core payment processing. Adyen and PayPal may need to accelerate their own AI integrations to defend share as Stripe deepens vertical specialization and locks in high-growth AI clients.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

US Senate Bill Redefines Stablecoins, Excludes Deposit Insurance and Alters Consumer Appeal

The Senate’s Digital Asset Market Clarity Act reclassifies stablecoins as neither deposits nor federally insured, reducing their appeal for US consumers who prioritize safety and yield. Fintechs and crypto firms offering stablecoin-based interest accounts must now adjust their strategies, as retail customers may hesitate to adopt uninsured stablecoins. This regulatory change is likely to shift stablecoin innovation toward B2B and cross-border payments, where consumer protection concerns are less central.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Natural Raises $30M to Build Payments Stack for AI Agents and Automation

US fintech Natural secured $30 million in Series A funding led by Forerunner to develop a payments stack tailored for AI agents. By focusing on autonomous AI-driven commerce, Natural aims to partner with businesses deploying agentic workflows and capture early market share. Traditional payment processors risk losing relevance in this emerging segment if they do not adapt their offerings for AI-native use cases.

Source: Finextra
№05

Intuit Launches Business Credit Card with Deep QuickBooks Integration and Cashback

Intuit rolled out a World Elite Business Mastercard that syncs natively with QuickBooks, offering 2% cash back on everyday spend and 5% on Intuit products. This move strengthens Intuit’s ecosystem lock-in for small businesses, making it more difficult for competitors to attract users away. Rival software providers may need to accelerate their own embedded finance offerings to remain competitive in SME financial services.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“Despite Brazil’s reputation for fintech innovation, over 30% of Brazilians still rely primarily on cash for daily transactions, according to the country’s central bank.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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