Issuing/Originating

Kraken Financial, a Wyoming-based special-purpose depository institution operated by Payward Inc., has become the first digital bank to get a Federal Reserve master account. With the account, Kraken will be able to settle transactions directly on core payment rails in the United States, such as Fedwire, the Federal Reserve’s real-time …

Google updated the software for its Pixel Watch with an express-pay feature that enables users to turn and tap a Pixel Watch against an NFC-equipped point-of-sale reader to make a purchase without the need to first open the Google Wallet app. E-commerce retailer Newegg Commerce Inc. said it has added Venmo as a …

Paysafe Ltd. early Tuesday reported mixed results for its 2025 fourth quarter as it works on multiple fronts to spin up momentum from a new wallet product, from an expected rise in volume from small-business clients, and from nascent ventures in agentic commerce. But overall, “We’re starting 2026 in the …

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, …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …