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Archive · September 17, 2026

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The Lead

Story 01

Grab to Acquire 60% of Atome for $1.49B, Intensifying APAC BNPL Race

Grab has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in Atome Financial, a leading APAC BNPL platform, for $1.49 billion in cash. This deal strengthens Grab’s position in Southeast Asian financial services and increases competition for regional BNPL providers and fintechs. Consumers and retailers can expect more integrated payment options and targeted incentives as Grab combines Atome’s BNPL capabilities with its super-app ecosystem. Afterpay, Klarna, and local BNPL firms are likely to respond with new partnerships or product enhancements to defend market share.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Circle Launches Arc Mainnet, Aiming for Real-Time Settlement in Financial Markets

Circle has launched Arc Mainnet, an open Layer-1 blockchain network designed for financial markets and real-time money movement. By offering programmable money and cross-border settlement, Circle directly challenges established blockchain infrastructure providers. Payment processors and banks now have a new option for building tokenized settlement solutions, with Arc’s success hinging on whether major financial institutions adopt its rails for large-scale transactions.

Source: Finextra
№03

American Express Unveils 2.95% APY Business Savings, Raising Stakes for SME Banking

American Express has introduced a high-yield Business Savings account with a 2.95% APY and no minimum balance, targeting small and midsize enterprises. This move intensifies competition for SME deposits, prompting incumbent banks and fintechs to reassess their own business savings products. SMEs now have greater incentive to switch providers for higher yields and improved digital experiences, likely triggering a round of rate increases and feature enhancements from competitors.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Deutsche Bank Prepares Digital Asset Custody Service for Institutional Clients

Deutsche Bank is set to launch its digital asset custody business, initially supporting bitcoin, ether, and select stablecoins. This entry brings a major global bank into direct competition with crypto-native custodians and appeals to institutions seeking regulated, secure storage. Asset managers and corporates gain a new compliant custody option, and the launch will reveal whether traditional banks can earn institutional trust in digital asset infrastructure.

Source: Finextra
№05

House Committee Advances Digital Asset Tax Bill, Clarifying US Crypto Rules

The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act, which sets clear tax guidelines for crypto and treats digital assets like other financial instruments. By reducing regulatory ambiguity, the bill could encourage more institutional investment from US asset managers and exchanges. If enacted, the legislation may prompt other countries to pursue similar tax clarity, influencing how banks and fintechs structure crypto offerings for US clients.

Source: PYMNTS
The Long Memory
“The first use of a mobile phone for a financial transaction occurred in 1997 when a Finnish teenager used a Nokia device to send money to a friend via SMS, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of mobile payments.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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