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Archive · October 5, 2026

October 5, 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

OKX and ICE Seek SEC Green Light for Tokenized US Stock Trading Platform

OKX and NYSE parent ICE have announced plans to launch a US-based trading venue for tokenized securities, pending SEC approval under the innovation exemption. If granted, the platform would let investors trade blockchain-based representations of US stocks, potentially reducing settlement times and operational costs. The SEC’s decision will shape how quickly digital asset rails can challenge traditional exchanges and brokers.

Source: The Block
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Revolut Launches Facial Recognition Payments for UK Customers

Revolut has introduced facial recognition payments in the UK, allowing users to authenticate transactions with a biometric scan. This feature aims to enhance payment security and convenience, setting a new standard for digital wallet experiences. UK banks and fintechs may need to accelerate biometric adoption to retain tech-savvy customers as privacy and data protection debates intensify.

Source: Sifted
№03

Nubank Halts Monzo Acquisition Talks Amid Market Volatility

Nubank has paused its acquisition discussions with Monzo after a significant drop in its own share price, citing market volatility and the need to reassess capital allocation. The move stalls Nubank’s plans for European expansion and leaves Monzo exploring other strategic options. Both fintechs face uncertainty as they monitor market conditions and reconsider cross-border growth strategies.

Source: Sifted
№04

Tokenized Securities Venture Faces SEC Scrutiny Over Investor Protections and Custody Rules

The OKX-ICE joint venture’s US tokenized stock trading proposal is under SEC review, with regulators focusing on investor protection standards and digital asset custody requirements. Traditional exchanges and digital asset firms must address compliance with existing securities laws and demonstrate robust safeguards before tokenized trading can scale in regulated markets.

Source: The Block
№05

Biometric Payments Threaten PIN and Password Dominance in UK Digital Wallets

Revolut’s facial recognition payments enable users to bypass PINs and passwords, streamlining in-store and online transactions. As biometric authentication becomes more prevalent, UK banks and fintechs may see a rapid shift in consumer expectations, prompting a decline in traditional credential-based payment methods and driving industry-wide upgrades to biometric infrastructure.

Source: Sifted
The Long Memory
“In 2004, PayPal introduced its 'PayPal Here' service, allowing merchants to accept payments via mobile devices, effectively laying the groundwork for today's mobile point-of-sale systems and shaping the future of retail payments.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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