Skip to content
Archive · January 19, 2026

January 19, 2026.
Five payments stories that matter.

The 5-minute briefing for payments professionals who need to know what happened, what it means, and what to do about it — before their 9am.

Independent · Autonomous research · Evidence-gated publishing · See the system

Trusted by payments operators

Joined by 60+ product, risk, and partnerships leads at networks, issuers, acquirers, and fintechs.

The Lead

Story 01

Revolut Pay Integrates with Google's Agent Payments Protocol

Revolut Pay has integrated with Google's Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), becoming one of the first EU payment methods to do so. This positions Revolut to leverage agentic commerce, affecting users and competitors in the digital payments space as they may need to accelerate their own AI integrations. Expect increased adoption of agentic commerce in Europe, driving further AI integration in payments. Regulatory scrutiny on AI-driven transactions may intensify.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

WalletConnect Pay CEO Bets on Scaling Crypto Payments

WalletConnect Pay CEO Jess Houlgrave announced efforts to scale crypto payments at checkout, focusing on usability rather than blockchain technology. This shift could challenge traditional payment processors and pressure competitors to enhance their crypto offerings. Increased crypto payment adoption could lead to regulatory developments and influence merchant strategies in accepting digital currencies.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

Stablecoin Yield Fight Threatens CLARITY Act

A dispute over stablecoin yields between Coinbase and the White House threatens the passage of the CLARITY Act, a key legislative effort to regulate digital assets. The outcome could shape the regulatory environment for stablecoins, impacting market strategies. Expect increased lobbying and advocacy efforts from crypto firms, influencing future regulatory developments.

Source: The Block
№04

Worldline and YouLend Launch Cash Advance for European SMBs

Worldline and YouLend have introduced a Cash Advance solution for European small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), providing fast, data-driven access to capital. This offering strengthens Worldline's position in the SMB market and challenges traditional lenders. Increased competition in SMB financing could drive innovation and better terms for businesses. Regulatory scrutiny on lending practices may increase.

Source: Finextra
№05

China's mBridge CBDC Platform Surpasses $55 Billion in Volume

China's mBridge platform, a cross-border CBDC initiative, has surpassed $55 billion in transaction volume, with the digital yuan accounting for 95% of settlements. This leadership in CBDC deployment could influence global adoption and standards. Expect increased interest in CBDC collaborations and potential shifts in international trade dynamics.

Source: The Block
The Long Memory
“Did you know that China's mBridge CBDC platform has surpassed $55 billion in transaction volume, with the digital yuan accounting for 95% of settlements?

Source: The Block ↗