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Archive · August 10, 2026

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Story 01

Robinhood Launches Crypto Trading in UK, Integrates With Bitstamp

Robinhood has launched crypto trading in the UK by integrating with Bitstamp, allowing users to buy and sell digital assets alongside stocks, ISAs, options, and futures. This makes Robinhood one of the few UK platforms to offer both traditional and crypto assets in a single app, directly challenging local brokers and crypto exchanges. UK retail investors can now manage a wider range of assets through Robinhood, prompting competitors to accelerate their own product offerings to keep pace.

Source: The Block
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Visa and Mastercard Join Circle to Pilot Stablecoin Payments

Visa and Mastercard have joined a new stablecoin working group with Circle, focusing on testing stablecoin settlement for card payments. This collaboration could enable faster, lower-cost merchant settlements and give card networks early experience with programmable money. While stablecoins have often been discussed as a threat to card rails, this move positions Visa and Mastercard to shape how tokenized payments are integrated into mainstream commerce.

Source: Banking Dive
№03

OCC Denies Bunq’s US Banking License, Delaying Fintech’s Expansion

The OCC has rejected Dutch fintech Bunq’s application for a US banking license, citing insufficient detail on its American expansion plans. Bunq cannot offer full-service banking in the US for now, forcing it to reconsider its entry strategy or seek partnerships. This decision delays Bunq’s growth in the US and signals that regulators remain cautious about granting charters to foreign fintechs, potentially slowing similar expansion efforts by other European challengers.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Chime CFO Steps Down After Revenue Surge, President Takes Interim Role

Chime’s CFO has resigned following a 27% jump in Q2 revenue, with the company’s president assuming interim finance leadership. Chime’s executive team is actively steering the company through a period of rapid growth, but the leadership transition introduces questions about future financial strategy and fundraising. Investors and competitors will monitor how Chime manages this change as it continues to expand its US neobank presence.

Source: Banking Dive
№05

Brazil Imposes 24-Hour Delay on Crypto Transfers to Counter Social Engineering Scams

Brazil’s central bank now requires crypto exchanges to delay overseas transfers by 24 hours, specifically targeting social engineering scams and unauthorized account takeovers that have surged in recent months. The rule slows cross-border crypto transactions for Brazilian users and compels exchanges to enhance fraud detection and customer verification processes. This urgent measure reflects growing regulatory concern over consumer protection in the rapidly expanding Brazilian crypto market.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“The first payment card with a magnetic stripe, introduced by IBM in 1969, was inspired by the adhesive tape used to secure magnetic tape to CIA identity badges.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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