Citi has become the first bank to launch multi-market instant payments on the Swift Payments Scheme, marking a significant step toward faster cross-border payments. The initiative enables Citi to provide instant payment capabilities across multiple markets through Swift’s payments infrastructure. By combining Citi’s global banking network with Swift’s standardized infrastructure, the development could help make international payments faster and more seamless. It also reflects the broader industry shift toward real-time cross-border payments, as banks and payment networks work to reduce friction in international transactions. The launch is particularly significant because it moves instant payments beyond individual domestic markets toward a more connected multi-market model.
Video of the Day
Insight of the Day
How Stripe’s Product Stack Changed In The Past 5 Years
If you run a software enterprise building generative AI applications today, your CFO spends far more time tracking GPU inference bills than traditional server expenses. Every user prompt hits upstream model providers, consumes tokens, and generates variable infrastructure costs. Meanwhile, your product team balances prepaid credits, usage thresholds, and multi-jurisdictional tax compliance across dozens of countries.
Back in 2021, solving this problem required connecting separate vendors for card processing, meter tracking, tax engines, and API routing. Today, this operational and financial workflow sits within Stripe’s expanded product stack.
Curated News
💳 Payments
European payments groups join forces to challenge US dominance
European payments groups are joining forces to reduce reliance on US-based payments infrastructure. The move highlights growing efforts to strengthen Europe’s own payments ecosystem.
Source
Mastercard and BMO enable embedded commercial payments directly within enterprise software across North America
Mastercard and BMO are enabling businesses to make commercial payments directly within enterprise software across North America. The partnership brings payment capabilities closer to the tools businesses already use.
Source
Lloyds survey reveals 71% of UK FIs believe tokenisation will reshape financial services
A Lloyds survey found that 71% of UK financial institutions believe tokenisation will reshape financial services. The finding reflects growing expectations around the role of tokenized assets and infrastructure.
Source
🏦 Banking
UK watchdog flags competition concerns over Brink’s $6.6 billion NCR Atleos deal
The UK watchdog has raised competition concerns over Brink’s proposed $6.6 billion acquisition of NCR Atleos. The transaction will face further regulatory scrutiny as a result.
Source
Brazil’s Nubank says it is not pursuing deal with Monzo
Nubank has denied reports that it is pursuing a deal with UK digital bank Monzo. The statement pushes back on speculation surrounding a potential transaction between the two fintechs.
Source
💼 Fintech
Zilch reportedly engages banks for potential London IPO
UK fintech Zilch has reportedly begun engaging banks over a potential London IPO. The move could add another major fintech listing to the UK’s capital markets.
Source
Nayax Completes Acquisition of IPS Group
Nayax has completed its acquisition of IPS Group, expanding its payments and commerce capabilities. The transaction adds to ongoing consolidation across the fintech sector.
Source
Australia’s WeMoney launches AI and open banking-powered lending assessment service
WeMoney has launched an AI and open banking-powered lending assessment service. The platform aims to incorporate financial data more deeply into the lending assessment process.
Source
Monarch hits $100M ARR, buys HMBradley team in first acquisition
Personal finance platform Monarch has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue and made its first acquisition. The company is acquiring the HMBradley team as it continues to expand.
Source
Barclays Expands Use of Anthropic’s Claude in Efficiency Push
Barclays is expanding its use of Anthropic’s Claude as part of a broader efficiency push. The move highlights the growing use of generative AI across major financial institutions.
Source
NG.Cash raises $15m to serve Brazil’s unbanked youth
Brazilian fintech NG.Cash has raised $15 million to expand services aimed at the country’s unbanked youth. The funding will support its efforts to broaden financial access.
Source
OpenAI helps Chatham Financial expand AI use in capital markets
Chatham Financial is expanding its use of AI with support from OpenAI, targeting applications in capital markets. The partnership reflects growing AI adoption among financial services firms.
Source
🪙 Crypto
Circle Pushes Back on MiCA’s Bank-Deposit Mandate for Stablecoins
Circle is pushing back against a MiCA requirement concerning bank deposits backing stablecoins. The dispute highlights ongoing debate over stablecoin regulation in Europe.
Source
Ethereum Now Lets You Pay for AI Without Revealing Who You Are
Ethereum is enabling a way to pay for AI services without revealing the user’s identity. The development combines blockchain payments with privacy-focused AI access.
Source
Bitcoin Heads Higher on Macro Moves: Where Does BTC Go Next?
Bitcoin is moving higher amid broader macroeconomic developments. The rally has renewed attention on the cryptocurrency’s next potential moves.
Source
Zcash Drops 21% From Recent High—Here’s Why the Rally May Not Be Over
Zcash has fallen 21% from its recent high, while the broader rally remains under scrutiny. The move comes amid changing market conditions and ETF-related flows.
Source
OKX, ICE plan tokenized securities venue under SEC exemption
OKX and ICE are planning a venue for tokenized securities under an SEC exemption. The initiative could further connect traditional securities markets with blockchain infrastructure.
Source
BNY and Kraken Parent Payward Eye Global Financial Infrastructure Partnership
BNY and Payward, the parent company of Kraken, are exploring a global financial infrastructure partnership. The potential collaboration points toward deeper integration between traditional finance and digital assets.
Source
StraitsX plans XSGD, XUSD launch on Monad in 2027
StraitsX plans to launch its XSGD and XUSD stablecoins on Monad in 2027. The move would expand the stablecoins’ presence within another blockchain ecosystem.
Source
📈 WealthTech
Zilch reportedly engages banks for potential London IPO
Zilch has reportedly engaged banks regarding a potential London IPO, potentially giving the fintech a new route to public markets. The move comes as UK fintechs continue to explore listings.
Source
⚖️ Regulation
UK watchdog flags competition concerns over Brink’s $6.6 billion NCR Atleos deal
The UK watchdog has raised competition concerns over Brink’s proposed $6.6 billion acquisition of NCR Atleos. The deal will therefore face additional regulatory scrutiny.
Source
Disclaimer: Payments Wrap Up aggregates publicly available information for informational purposes only. Portions of the content may be reproduced verbatim from the original source, and full credit is provided with a “Source: [Name]” attribution. All copyrights and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Fintech Wrap Up does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the aggregated content; these are the responsibility of the original source providers. Links to the original sources may not always be included. We use AI tools to brainstorm, draft, edit, and summarize, but the ideas, analysis, and connections Sam draws are his. Every piece is verified and written in Sam’s voice. For questions or concerns, please contact us at sam.boboev@fintechwrapup.com.