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Archive · July 25, 2026

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Story 01

Visa Launches Stablecoin Platform to Expand Institutional Settlement Options

Visa introduced its Visa Stablecoin Platform (VSP), enabling banks, fintechs, and crypto firms to process stablecoin transactions at scale. The platform aims to provide a regulated, mainstream onramp for stablecoin settlement, offering an alternative to legacy correspondent banking and crypto-native processors for cross-border and B2B payments. Financial institutions and fintechs can now use Visa’s infrastructure to settle transactions in stablecoins, potentially reducing reliance on traditional wire transfers and crypto-only networks.

Source: PYMNTS
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Marqeta and Zerohash Enable Direct Stablecoin Spending on Card Networks

Marqeta partnered with Zerohash to allow users to spend stablecoins directly through Marqeta-issued cards, connecting crypto balances with traditional card acceptance. This integration lets fintechs and neobanks offer crypto spending without building their own settlement rails. Card networks and issuers now face new competition as stablecoin-backed cards make digital assets spendable at the point of sale, prompting merchants and regulators to adapt to evolving payment flows.

Source: Finextra
№03

Wise’s US Bank Charter Denial Signals Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny for Fintechs

US regulators denied Wise’s application for a national trust bank charter, citing compliance gaps and causing Wise’s share price to fall. The decision underscores the regulatory challenges fintechs face when seeking to expand into deposit-taking and lending in the US. Fintechs pursuing similar ambitions must strengthen compliance programs, consider alternative licensing strategies, or partner with established banks to navigate regulatory expectations and avoid stalled expansion.

Source: Finextra
№04

Samsung Wallet to Add Stablecoin Support, Intensifying Mobile Wallet Competition

Samsung announced plans to integrate stablecoins into Samsung Wallet, making it one of the first major mobile wallets to natively support digital asset transactions. This move puts pressure on Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal to accelerate their own crypto integrations or risk losing crypto-active users. Mobile wallet providers now compete on digital asset features as stablecoin support becomes a key differentiator in wallet offerings.

Source: PYMNTS
№05

Flex Seeks Utah Bank Charter to Expand Rent Payment and Financial Services

Flex applied for a Utah industrial bank charter to support its Flex Rent product, aiming for FDIC and state approval to offer deposit and lending services alongside rent payments. If granted, Flex could directly hold customer funds and originate loans, increasing competition for traditional banks in the rental market and prompting rent-focused fintechs to consider similar licensing moves to broaden their offerings.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“The first magnetic stripe payment card was introduced by IBM in 1970, revolutionizing how transactions were processed and paving the way for modern card payments.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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