Payments Simplicity Is Still Key for Most Shoppers
Despite the inroads made by digital wallets and agentic commerce, shoppers still turn to the simplest and most convenient ways to pay. Worldwide, many consumers continue to prefer manned checkout stations over unattended alternatives, and credit or debit cards over digital wallets. That’s what a new survey from Australian payments firm TNS found. Across […]
YouTube to Launch PayPal Stablecoin Payouts for Creators
Most of the buzz around stablecoins has focused on payment acceptance, but payouts are the lifeblood of many businesses. In a major step for the industry, YouTube will now allow creators to receive their payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin. Stablecoins are well-suited to meet the growing demand for faster, more efficient payouts because they provide […]
Ant International and HSBC Pilot Cross-Border Tokenized Deposit Transfers on Swift
Cross-border payments are entering a new phase, where traditional rails meet digital asset innovation. In a major step forward, Ant International and HSBC have teamed up to pilot tokenized deposit transfers over the Swift network using the ISO 20022 protocol. ISO 20022 is a messaging standard that allows organizations to exchange significantly larger payments data […]
2026 Will See Lackluster Growth in Credit: Thank Heavens
Javelin’s 2026 Credit Card Trends report anticipated moderate growth in 2026, and we are pleased to see the credit reporting agency TransUnion share a similar expectation. Their numbers use a different source than the Federal Reserve numbers we use, as they rely on consumer files rather than bank filings. Either way, it is time for […]
Three Small Business Trends That Banks Can Hop On in 2026
When it comes to banking services directed at small businesses, the playing field is always changing, providing opportunities for those who seek them. The new 2026 Small Business Banking Trends report from Javelin Strategy & Research showcases three areas that should continue to help banks connect with small businesses: cross-border payments, Zelle for Business, and […]
BRICS Moves Forward on a Common Currency for Cross-Border
The BRICS group of nations is moving forward with plans for a shared currency for internal trade, potentially launching as early as next year. Last week, the Institute for Economic Strategies of the Russian Academy of Sciences announced a working prototype of a trade currency known as the Unit, structured to be backed by 60% […]
Gift Card Draining Fraud Could Diminish Holiday Cheer
Some shoppers have purchased gift cards, loaded the balances, and later discovered that the funds disappeared before the intended recipient ever used them. This scenario is often the result of gift card draining scams, in which bad actors steal gift card data or tamper with cards before returning them to store displays. Once a consumer […]
Beyond Paper: Why More Businesses Are Turning to eChecks
Not long ago, payments meant paper, ink, and a trip to the mailbox. Today, consumers expect the opposite—transactions that are contactless, mobile-friendly, and processed in real time. With countless digital payment methods now operating smoothly and instantly, it’s no surprise that checks are being phased out in both commercial and consumer settings. Even the federal […]
As Guest Checkout Gains Popularity, Merchants Seek to Keep It Secure
Guest checkout at retail websites remains hugely popular—so much so that even shoppers who already have accounts are still more likely to choose the guest option. The next challenge for merchants will be striking the right balance between security and a seamless checkout experience. Customers, especially younger ones, increasingly resist creating accounts on retail sites. […]
Circle to Launch Privacy-Focused Stablecoin Iteration
Although financial institutions are more engaged with digital assets than ever, many remain cautious due to compliance and privacy obligations. In response to the growing need for privacy-focused options, Circle is introducing a new iteration of its signature stablecoin. USDCx will be issued on the Aleo network, a blockchain designed with privacy in mind. The […]