Apple’s EU concessions open a door for Visa
The card network is making a digital wallet push following the Digital Markets Act, which dilutes Apple’s control over mobile payments technology.
In the stablecoin era, what counts as a ‘dollar’ is getting complicated
What is a dollar? Noelle Acheson highlights how stablecoins are underlining the ways in which the absence of an official definition can have geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences.
Bank servicers lead new J.D. Power digital app rankings
Bank of America was the leader in this study, with Rocket as the only nonbank mortgage lender which got a score higher than the industry average.
Payment fintechs pump the gas for an on-chain world
Circle’s Dante Disparte and Block’s Owen Jennings discuss how blockchain, crypto and AI can combine to open new lanes for international commerce. Payment experts say banks need to play catch up.
Hemp ban chills prospects for progress on cannabis banking
Congress’ recent ban on nearly all forms of intoxicating hemp products signals a sharp political turn away from rescheduling, making the prospects for cannabis banking reform even more dim than they already were.
Nubank co-founder Cristina Junqueira sets sights on US market
After two successful international expansions, Junqueira aims to bring Nubank’s products to U.S. consumers even as the neobank faces strong competition from U.S.-based banks and fintechs.
Feds seize website used in massive crypto scheme
While banks welcome the “whole-of-government” approach that led the effort, private sector takedowns remain difficult without federal warrants.
Europe’s bank-backed stablecoin; Ripple gets a win in Singapore
A group of European banks have formed Qivalis, which expects to launch its coin in early 2026 as a counter to the U.S. dollar-led market. Plus, Singapore regulators give Ripple permission to expand and other news in the global payments and fintech roundup.
Bessent floats residency rule for regional Fed presidents
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Federal Reserve Board should reject the renomination of any regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents who have not lived in their districts for three years, signaling a potential confrontation when reappointments come before the board in February.
Dems demand answers from Fed, Treasury amid penny shortage
In a sternly worded letter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Maxine Waters demanded to know why federal agencies haven’t provided more guidance since the one-cent coin was discontinued. They accused the Trump administration of making an “abrupt and unilateral decision” without thinking it through.