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Archive · January 31, 2026

January 31, 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.

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The Lead

Story 01

Visa and Mastercard Accelerate Stablecoin Adoption Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

Visa and Mastercard are leveraging their earnings reports to showcase their advancements in stablecoin settlement, transitioning from discussions to execution. This shift positions both companies as leaders in stablecoin adoption, impacting payment networks, stablecoin issuers, and financial institutions globally. Increased stablecoin adoption could accelerate regulatory clarity and encourage more financial institutions to integrate stablecoin solutions. As competition heats up, traditional banks must adapt or risk losing relevance in the evolving payments landscape.

Source: PYMNTS
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Nubank's Conditional Approval for US National Bank Charter Signals Fintech Disruption

Nubank has received conditional approval from the OCC to establish a national bank in the US, marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy. This move threatens traditional banks and challenges existing fintech competitors, potentially reshaping the US banking sector. Increased competition could drive innovation and customer-centric services in the US banking sector. Watch for how traditional banks respond to this new competitive pressure as fintechs continue to seek standalone licenses.

Source: Finextra
№03

Affirm Becomes Exclusive BNPL Provider for Expedia Group, Expanding Market Reach

Affirm has secured a deal to become the exclusive BNPL provider for Expedia Group brands in the US, with plans to expand to Canada. This partnership strengthens Affirm's position in the BNPL market and could prompt other travel companies to explore similar options, increasing competition among providers. The travel sector's reliance on BNPL could expose it to financial risks if consumer debt levels rise. This move underscores the growing trend of embedded finance as BNPL becomes a standard offering across various sectors.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Fipto Achieves Dual Licensing for Stablecoin Payments in Europe

Fipto has become the first European stablecoin payment institution to hold both a Payment Institution license and a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license. This development positions Fipto as a leader in the regulated stablecoin payment space, impacting stablecoin issuers and payment processors. Increased regulatory scrutiny could set a precedent for other companies in the stablecoin market. As regulatory frameworks evolve, watch for how this influences competition among stablecoin providers.

Source: Finextra
№05

Lloyds Banking Group Expands AI Deployments After Reporting £50 Million Value

Lloyds Banking Group plans to expand its AI deployments after reporting £50 million in value from current initiatives, with expectations of £100 million more in 2026. This expansion could prompt other banks to accelerate their AI investments, reshaping the UK banking sector and impacting AI developers. Increased focus on AI safety could slow down the deployment of agentic AI systems. As banks invest more in AI, partnerships with tech firms may become essential to enhance service offerings.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“Did you know that the first credit card was made of cardboard? Diners Club introduced it in 1950 after founder Frank McNamara forgot his wallet at a restaurant, revolutionizing the way people made purchases.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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