Monzo has opened in Spain, marking another step in the UK digital bank’s international expansion. The move places Monzo in a competitive European market where digital-first financial providers are challenging established banks with app-based services and simpler customer experiences. Expanding internationally could give Monzo access to new customers and diversify its growth beyond the UK, although success will depend on local demand, regulatory requirements, and its ability to compete with existing providers. The launch also reflects a broader trend of fintech companies looking beyond their home markets as they seek new sources of growth. Monzo’s performance in Spain will be an important test of whether its digital banking model can translate successfully to other European markets.
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World Payments Report 2027
The global payments industry continues to build on a decade of sustained digital payments momentum, as instant payments become increasingly embedded in commercial ecosystems. While 60% of banks prioritized business-to-business (B2B) payment innovation during the past three years, only 32% of corporate clients report satisfaction with their primary banking partner. The issue is no longer simply whether money moves fast enough; now corporations are increasingly seeking greater visibility, predictability, liquidity control, embedded compliance, and reconciliation across the full B2B payments lifecycle.
For the first time, the industry is responding by redesigning the instrument itself, not just improving how money moves. This report defines that shift as “accelerated intelligent money” – an increasingly rapid move toward payments instruments including stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) that combine value transfer, settlement, and business rules within a single layer.
The new World Payments Report draws on insights from two primary sources – the 2026 Global Corporate Survey and the 2026 Global Banking Executive Surveys and Interviews. Both of these primary research efforts captured insights from nine markets: Australia, UAE, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Capgemini Global Corporate Survey, questioned 1,110 large corporates (revenues greater than USD 1 billion); these corporations were equally distributed across three sectors: insurance, manufacturers, and logistics/transportation.
The report also includes insights from the Global Banking Executives Survey and Interviews, comprising responses from 300 banking executives across four global regions: the Americas, Europe, EMEA, and the Asia-Pacific.
The report urges industry players to follow the example of a small group of leading competitors: our research found that only 21% of banks today are actively scaling at least one accelerated intelligent money instrument.
These market leaders are making strategic choices about how to compete in the future of payments, and each marketplace position demands differing levels of capability, investment, and commitment:
“Reactive” participants preserve client access by distributing third-party capabilities with minimal investment of their own.
“Offensive” participants invest selectively in priority corridors, client segments, or use cases – where they can most efficiently differentiate themselves.
“Transformative” participants seek to shape the ecosystem itself by investing in shared infrastructure, technical standards, and governance participation.
Curated News
💳 Payments
ZEN.COM Brings Pay by Bank to Nine European Markets Through Mastercard Open Finance in Single Integration
ZEN.COM is expanding Pay by Bank access to nine European markets through a single integration using Mastercard Open Finance. The move could simplify adoption for merchants and payment providers by connecting bank-based payments across multiple markets through one technical setup.
Source
Tencent, Visa sign pact on cross-border payments and AI
Tencent and Visa have signed a partnership focused on cross-border payments and AI. The collaboration reflects the growing role of technology and payment networks in improving international payment experiences and developing smarter financial services.
Source
Paysafe Completes Euro-Area Rollout with PaysafeWallet Expansion into Croatia, Bulgaria and Estonia
Paysafe has expanded PaysafeWallet into Croatia, Bulgaria, and Estonia, extending its reach across additional European markets. The rollout gives the company a broader regional footprint as digital-wallet providers compete for consumers and merchants.
Source
Visa and Mastercard face £5bn lawsuit in UK over card fees — report
Visa and Mastercard are facing a reported £5 billion lawsuit in the UK concerning card fees. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of payment-card costs and the potential financial implications of legal challenges for major payment networks.
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🏦 Banking
DTCC Tokenization Service Goes Live, Marking Major Milestone in the Adoption of Digital Assets
DTCC has launched its tokenization service, marking a milestone in the integration of digital assets with established financial-market infrastructure. The development signals continued institutional efforts to apply tokenization to financial assets and explore more modern ways to manage and transfer them.
Source
Clearstream Advances Tokenized Fund Distribution as Authorized Control Agent under Luxembourg’s New Blockchain Law IV
Clearstream is advancing tokenized fund distribution under Luxembourg’s new Blockchain Law IV, acting as an authorized control agent. The development highlights how legal frameworks and established financial infrastructure are evolving to support blockchain-based fund distribution.
Source
Canada’s UNI Financial Cooperation Advances Branch Modernization with Infosys Finacle Universal Banker
UNI Financial Cooperation is advancing branch modernization with Infosys Finacle Universal Banker. The initiative reflects continued investment in banking technology designed to modernize branch operations and improve service delivery.
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Temenos Announces Q3-26 Results; FY-26 Guidance Raised
Temenos has announced its third-quarter 2026 results and raised its full-year guidance. The update is an important indicator for the banking-software provider and the demand outlook for technology used by financial institutions.
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💼 Fintech
NatWest Slashes Marketing Compliance Times by 80% with Adclear AI Integration
NatWest has reportedly reduced marketing compliance approval times by 80% through its integration of Adclear AI agents. The example highlights how AI can streamline review workflows in regulated financial institutions, where marketing materials must meet strict compliance standards.
Source
Zafin to acquire Naehas to expand AI-powered platform
Zafin plans to acquire Naehas to expand its AI-powered platform. The deal reflects continued consolidation in financial-services software as providers seek to combine technology and broaden their offerings to institutional clients.
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Equilend’s 1Source DLT Adds Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has joined Equilend’s 1Source distributed-ledger-technology platform. The addition points to continued institutional engagement with DLT-based infrastructure for financial markets.
Source
Tokenovate CEO Welcomes New UK Founders’ Relief to Boost Fintech Retention
Tokenovate’s CEO has welcomed a new UK Founders’ Relief announcement, framing it as a potential boost for fintech retention. The story highlights how tax and policy decisions can influence founders’ incentives and the competitiveness of the UK fintech ecosystem.
Source
🪙 Crypto
Canada opens consultation on draft stablecoin rules, maintains ban on yields
Canada has opened a consultation on draft stablecoin rules while maintaining a ban on yield payments in the proposed framework. The debate highlights the challenge of establishing stablecoins as payment instruments while addressing concerns about products that resemble interest-bearing financial services.
Source
Intel, Oracle, IBM join growing list of firms objecting to OKX–ICE tokenized stock plans
Intel, Oracle, and IBM have joined companies objecting to OKX and ICE’s tokenized-stock plans, according to the report. The dispute highlights tensions over how publicly traded companies’ shares and related rights should be represented and distributed through tokenized products.
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📈 WealthTech
Wealthsimple hits C$13.8bn valuation
Wealthsimple has reached a reported valuation of C$13.8 billion, highlighting investor interest in digital investment and financial-services platforms. The valuation underscores the scale that wealthtech companies can pursue as they broaden their products and customer bases.
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Lovey announces £250m senior secured credit facility with Pollen Street Capital
Lovey has announced a £250 million senior secured credit facility with Pollen Street Capital. The financing provides a substantial credit facility and highlights the role of specialist capital providers in supporting financial-services businesses.
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⚖️ Regulation
Bank of England orders review of Revolut product approvals, FT reports
The Bank of England has reportedly ordered a review of Revolut’s product approvals. The development places regulatory oversight of the fast-growing fintech in focus and highlights the importance of governance and compliance as financial-service offerings expand.
Source
Coinbase Customer Data Exposed in Vendor’s Breach
Customer data associated with Coinbase was exposed in a breach involving a vendor, according to the report. The incident underscores the security risks that can arise through third-party providers and the importance of protecting customer information across the entire service chain.
Source
UK Government takes on till fraud with POS software standards
The UK government is addressing till fraud through point-of-sale software standards. The initiative highlights the role of software requirements and payment-system controls in reducing fraud risks for merchants and customers.
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Superbank posts 376% profit growth in first 9 months
Superbank has reported 376% profit growth over its first nine months, according to the headline. The result signals a sharp increase in reported profitability, although the underlying drivers and sustainability of that growth would require further financial detail.
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