Visa Inc. has been involved in various stages of stablecoin processing for the last three years, but this week the card network stepped up its involvement with the cryptocurrency, launching Visa Stablecoin Platform. The new service is starting out in beta testing with “select clients,” Visa says, as companies determine …

Companies looking for a faster way to accept payments in fiat currencies but settle in stablecoins may have a new option in an integration announced Wednesday between XDC Tech and Bridge, the stablecoin unit of the payments-technology firm Stripe. Under the arrangement, merchants can accept dollars or other fiat currencies …

PayPal is in play, as rival payments player Stripe has made an offer to buy the 27-year-old company at a reported valuation of more than $53 billion, according to a report early Wednesday by Reuters. The offer, at $60.50 per share, is backed by both Stripe and Advent International, a …

Ever since Shift4 Payments Inc. paid $2.5 billion last year to acquire Global Blue, the processor has looked for ways to leverage the international shopping platform’s strengths in tax-free shopping for international travelers. The latest development emerged early Tuesday with Shift4’s launch of Shift4 One, a move the company says …

Mastercard Inc. is looking to sell a majority interest in its United Kingdom-based Vocalink payments-processing business, according to press reports that emerged early Monday. DeliveryCo, a technology company backed by U.K. banks and payments platforms, is reportedly a potential buyer. A 51% stake in 19-year-old Vocalink could fetch nearly $535 …

Circle Internet Group Inc. said its plan to establish First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A., has been approved by the Comptroller of the Currency. The bank’s operating name will be Circle National Trust. Circle submitted its banking application June 30 last year and received conditional approval in December. The move …

A blockchain ledger developed by the financial-messaging platform Swift debuted with an announcement early Thursday by the Brussels-based network. Declaring the system “ready for initial use,” Swift said the technology will enable cross-border payments at all times of day or night using tokenized deposits, or digital equivalents of fiat currency. …

As small businesses increasingly look for faster payment capabilities, banks are starting to see a potentially profitable market. The latest offering emerged early Wednesday with U.S. Bank’s unveiling of Enhanced Payments, a bundled offering accessible online and through the bank’s mobile app. The new platform, open to entities with a …

The economics of proprietary debit networks appears to be asserting itself as a consortium of big banks is reportedly looking to acquire a debit card system from Fiserv Inc. The banking group, which includes JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and PNC Financial Services Group, has had “tentative discussions” …

The buy now, pay later specialist Klarna AB said early Monday it has submitted applications with U.S. regulators to start an industrial bank called Klarna Bank USA. The company’s applications, filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as well as the Utah Department of Financial Institutions, follow its move toward banking in …