Monday , March 2, 2026

Issuing/Originating

Eye on Crypto: N3XT Partners With YouHodler; Barclays Eyes a Blockchain

N3XT Inc., a blockchain-powered bank, has partnered with YouHodler, a Web3 platform that supports crypto-backed loans, crypto-reward accounts, cryptocurrency trading, and universal currency exchange. Launched in 2025 by former Signature Bank executives, N3XT provides instant, programmable USD Coin business-to-business payments. A so-called narrow bank, N3XT Inc., uses smart contracts for automated, …

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Block Slashes Its Workforce as It Goes All in on AI

Block is cutting its headcount by more than 40%, the company announced late Thursday during its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call. The move—which will leave Block with less than 6,000 employees, down from more than 10,000—comes as the fintech posted one of its best financial performances for 2025, according to company …

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AmEx Eyes New HQ Tower and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 2/25/26

American Express Co. said it will build a new headquarters building in New York, encompassing nearly 2 million square feet of office space. Expected to be completed in 2031, AmEx will be the sole occupant and owner of the structure. It did not disclose the estimated cost of the 55-floor building, …

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FIS Doubles Down on Issuing While Riding an AI Wave

With its sale earlier this month of Worldpay to Global Payments Inc., FIS Inc. is focusing on its longstanding business in card issuing for banks, a business where it sees strong returns, especially as banking mergers unfold—but it’s not seeking just any bank. “Our strategy is partnering with banks growing …

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Klarna Clocks Growth As It Looks to Banking Services

Klarna AB released numbers early Thursday that indicate the payments company’s processing breadth is growing rapidly. News of Klarna’s fourth-quarter 2025 performance also comes as the company looks to further its growth as a global digital bank. “We’ve been executing on a clear plan: acquire customers through seamless payments, then …

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A Global Survey Uncovers a Strong Following for Stablecoins

Research released early Tuesday argues stablecoins have made their move out of niche applications and into the mainstream of international payments, propelled by fast transactions and perceived security. That’s according to the “Stablecoin Utility Report” from stablecoin-technology provider BVNK, with research conducted by YouGov among more than 4,600 digital-currency users …

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How Chip Cards Have Been Deployed to Battle Fraud in State EBT Programs

Chip cards are coming to state benefit programs, with the latest development emerging from Alabama. The state’s Department of Human Resources is mailing electronic benefit cards embedded with chips as a means to combat fraud, according to an announcement early Friday from the chip card supplier, Conduent Inc. The chip …

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Illinois Merchants Score a Big Win in Their Battle for Interchange Relief

Illinois merchants scored a big victory late Tuesday in their battle for interchange relief as United States District Court Judge Virginia Kendall upheld the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The decision, which comes after more than a year of legal wrangling, means the IFPA will go into effect July 1, …

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Fiserv Caps a Sub-Par Year With a Disappointing Fourth Quarter

Fiserv’s chief executive early Tuesday told Wall Street not to look for immediate improvement following a sub-par year in 2025. “Our headline results are below our expectations and will remain that way until mid-year,” chief executive Michael Lyons told equity analysts at the top of a group call with equity …

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Affirm Supports Mobile Devices and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 2/6/26

Installment-payment platform Affirm Holdings Inc. said it will provide financing to customers of Virgin Media O2, a United Kingdom-based vender of mobile devices. In related news, Affirm said it has expanded its agreement with online merchant Wayfair to offer installment payments to consumers in Canada and the United Kingdom on top of the current …

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Digital Transactions