Mastercard is preparing to enable offline payments across Europe, addressing situations where internet connectivity is unavailable or unreliable. The initiative could help consumers and merchants continue making transactions even when digital payment networks cannot be reached. Offline payment capabilities are particularly relevant for improving payment resilience during network disruptions and expanding access in areas with inconsistent connectivity. The move also highlights Mastercard’s continued investment in making digital payments more reliable across different environments. As payment systems become increasingly digital, the ability to transact without a live connection could become an important part of resilient payment infrastructure.
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State of Fraud Report 2026
AI-powered fraud trends are flourishing
For the first time in the 26-year history of its annual cybercrime report, the FBI recently included a section on AI-generated scams, which cost consumers nearly $900 million in 2025.
Just as AI is reshaping how consumers research, discover and buy online, fraudsters are exploiting the same technology to move faster, scale attacks and increase the profitability of their schemes. In fact, Interpol estimates that AI-powered fraud schemes are 4.5 times more lucrative than conventional attacks.
What used to require teams of specialists working through slow, manual trial and error can now be quickly executed with inexpensive, sophisticated AI tools. And data from Signifyd’s Commerce Network shows the move from manual fraud operations to AI-assisted automation is having a clear impact: Fraud pressure in North America alone increased 33% year over year in the first four months of 2026. First-party fraud and abuse also grew 9% during the same period
Account takeover attempts also surged 78% between Jan. – April 2026 — an evident sign that automated credential testing at scale is now the norm.
On top of that, post-purchase abuse is getting easier. Generative AI (gen AI) can now create authentic-looking receipts complete with store branding and generate hundreds of images of shattered, damaged or defective products on demand, making false return and refund claims easier to execute. In fact, “item not as described” claims rose 49% in the first four months of 2026 vs. the same period in 2025, according to Signifyd data.
Curated News
💳 Payments
Noah secures $16m seed extension, bringing total funding to $38m Noah has raised a $16 million seed extension, bringing its total funding to $38 million. The company focuses on helping enterprises use stablecoins for cross-border payments, reflecting growing demand for alternatives to traditional international payment rails. Source
PawaPay secures Mozambique payment licence PawaPay has secured a payment licence in Mozambique, expanding its regulated presence in the African market. The approval could help the company broaden its payment services in the country. Source
ClearToken and Consensys partner to bring 24/7 settlement infrastructure to wholesale markets ClearToken and Consensys are partnering to develop round-the-clock settlement infrastructure for wholesale markets. The collaboration aims to support more continuous settlement using digital-asset technology. Source
Mastercard and SoFi Help Orbi Launch Crypto Card in Mexico Mastercard and SoFi are helping Orbi launch a crypto-linked payment card in Mexico. The initiative connects digital assets with everyday card payments in another market. Source
TrueLayer’s $27M from Italy’s state fund is a sovereignty bet. That’s not enough TrueLayer’s $27 million investment from an Italian state fund has been framed as a bet on financial sovereignty. The story raises broader questions about whether funding alone can help European pay-by-bank infrastructure compete with established global players. Source
Anyflo emerges from stealth with acquisition of Native, to simplify stablecoin payments for enterprises Anyflo has emerged from stealth following its acquisition of Native, with a focus on simplifying stablecoin payments for enterprises. The move signals continued efforts to make digital-asset payment infrastructure easier for businesses to adopt. Source
🏦 Banking
Standard Chartered advances into digital asset custody offering in Singapore Standard Chartered is advancing its digital-asset custody offering in Singapore. The expansion reflects growing demand from institutions for regulated services to hold and manage digital assets. Source
N26 Expands Flexible Cash Fund Access Across All Membership Tiers N26 is expanding access to flexible cash funds across all membership tiers. The change broadens the availability of investment-related features to more customers. Source
Singapore central bank issues risk rules on banks’ AI use Singapore’s central bank has issued risk-management rules concerning banks’ use of artificial intelligence. The guidance highlights the importance of governance and risk controls as financial institutions adopt AI. Source
JPMorgan Tops Global AI Banking Index With Jobs Seen to Grow JPMorgan has topped a global index of AI adoption in banking for the fifth consecutive year. Despite concerns about automation, the report also points to the potential for employment growth as AI changes the nature of banking work. Source
Ping An Digital Bank enters private funds market Ping An Digital Bank is entering the private funds market, broadening its financial offerings. The move reflects digital banks’ efforts to expand beyond conventional retail banking services. Source
BBVA Embarks on a New Growth Phase in Spain, with Customers at Its Heart and AI at the Forefront BBVA is entering a new phase of growth in Spain, with customer experience and AI at the center of its strategy. The bank aims to combine technology-led transformation with a stronger focus on customer needs. Source
💼 Fintech
Plaid Launches Credit and Fraud Models Fueled by Cash Flow Data Plaid has launched new credit and fraud models powered by cash-flow data. The models aim to give financial institutions additional information for decisions across lending and fraud prevention. Source
One Trading lands strategic investment from Nasdaq Ventures One Trading has secured a strategic investment from Nasdaq Ventures. The deal strengthens the connection between established market infrastructure and newer trading platforms. Source
Wise to Pay Some Customers’ U.K. Tax Bills After Software Error Wise will reportedly pay certain customers’ UK tax bills following a software error. The incident highlights how technical mistakes in financial services can create real-world consequences for customers. Source
Hong Kong fintech firm Reap to test AI purchasing setup Reap is preparing to test an AI-powered purchasing setup in Hong Kong. The initiative explores how AI could streamline business purchasing and related financial workflows. Source
🪙 Crypto
Securitize Brings Nvidia, Apple and Amazon Onchain With Tokenized Stocks on Solana Securitize is bringing tokenized versions of stocks associated with Nvidia, Apple and Amazon onto Solana. The initiative highlights the growing push to represent traditional financial assets on blockchain networks. Source
Ownera and Utila form digital asset infrastructure partnership Ownera and Utila have formed a partnership focused on digital-asset infrastructure. The collaboration aims to support the development of services and systems for institutional digital-asset activity. Source
Franklin Templeton, Animoca plan tokens for Nuva Franklin Templeton and Animoca are planning tokens for Nuva, bringing together traditional investment expertise and digital-asset innovation. The initiative reflects continued exploration of tokenization across financial services. Source
📈 WealthTech
Ping An Digital Bank enters private funds market Ping An Digital Bank is expanding into private funds, opening up another area of financial products through its digital banking platform. The move signals growing overlap between digital banking and investment services. Source
⚖️ Regulation
Singapore central bank issues risk rules on banks’ AI use Singapore’s central bank has introduced risk rules for banks using AI, emphasizing the need to manage risks as adoption grows. The guidance reflects regulators’ increasing focus on responsible AI deployment in financial services. Source
🌍 Other
U.S. Bank expands consumer protection tools with new identity, privacy and credit monitoring service U.S. Bank has expanded its consumer-protection offering with identity, privacy and credit-monitoring tools. The service aims to give customers more ways to safeguard their financial information. Source
Sibos 2026: Is USD’s position as prime global currency in jeopardy? Sibos 2026 explores whether the US dollar’s position as the leading global currency could face challenges. The discussion reflects wider debate about changes in international finance and payment infrastructure. Source
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