Payments

Highlights: Mastercard has launched a new crypto partner program to connect payments with global financial infrastructure. The program will explore business payments and global payouts using blockchain tools. More than 85 companies joined the program to test digital asset payments […]

Highlights: Binance expands prepaid Mastercard crypto card to CIS countries for instant crypto payments. The card supports store and online payments with up to 2% cashback monthly limit. Binance also launches Valentine’s promo with $20,000 rewards for referrals and top-ups. […]

Highlights: Stripe launched x402 on Base so AI agents can pay with USDC stablecoin easily. Businesses can now charge AI agents for API calls and other requests automatically.  CoinGecko also launches x402 API, which allows AI agents access data for […]

Highlights: More U.S. merchants are embracing crypto payments in response to customer demand. Larger businesses, especially in hospitality and digital goods, lead crypto payment adoption. Over 80% of merchants predict crypto payments will be commonplace soon. Cryptocurrency payments in U.S. […]

Highlights: Steak ’n Shake boosts its Bitcoin reserve with a new $5 million purchase. All customer Bitcoin payments feed directly into the company’s growing reserve. Steak ’n Shake earns Bitcoin bonuses, and the chain highlights Bitcoin in marketing, too. Steak […]

Highlights: ASIC flags regulatory gaps in fast-growing fintech sectors, especially digital assets. The regulator warns consumers face risks from unlicensed crypto, payments, and artificial intelligence firms. ASIC urges the government to bring new services under existing regulatory frameworks. Australia’s main […]

Highlights: Pierre Rochard emphasizes U.S. tax rules remain the main barrier to daily Bitcoin payments. He argues that low‑tax regions show faster Bitcoin growth compared to high‑tax markets. Lawmakers continue debating crypto tax relief, shaping future rules for digital asset […]

Highlights: Russia strictly prohibits cryptocurrency payments, insisting all domestic settlements use only the ruble. Digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are allowed only for trading and investment. Senior lawmakers, including Aksakov, continue to back the central bank’s strict rules […]

Highlights: Visa pilots stablecoin payouts to offer instant access to funds for global creators and freelancers. The pilot enables fiat-funded payments to USDC wallets through Visa Direct. A wider rollout is expected in 2026 as regulatory clarity improves. During the […]

Highlights: Visa has added four stablecoins to broaden institutional access and enhance settlement options. Visa has expanded its blockchain network to improve cross-border transactions. Stablecoin spending through Visa cards increased four times, showing rising use of digital payments worldwide. Visa […]

Highlights: WSPN introduces stablecoin payment integration to help global merchants settle transactions. The platform enables low-cost payments across major blockchain networks. The checkout gives merchants instant settlements and improves cross-border cash flow management. The Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN) has […]

Highlights: Circle to launch Arc, an EVM-compatible blockchain using USDC as its native gas token. Arc will target stablecoin payments, FX, and tokenized assets with sub-second settlement. Circle reported $658M Q2 revenue and 90% USDC supply growth to $61.3B. Stablecoin […]