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Live · Today’s Edition · August 5, 2026

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Story 01

Western Union Debuts Stablecard, Bringing Stablecoin-Backed Credit to Global Consumers

Western Union has launched Stablecard, a digital wallet and Visa-secured credit card backed by stablecoins, enabling users to hold and spend US dollar value worldwide. This move positions Western Union directly against banks and fintechs in the race to mainstream stablecoin payments. Visa gains another stablecoin-linked product on its rails, while traditional issuers face new competition for cross-border and underbanked segments. Regulatory scrutiny is likely as stablecoin-backed cards move from pilot to production.

Source: Finextra
Also Worth Knowing
№02

Samsung Stakes Claim in Crypto With Dunamu Deal and Native Stablecoin Support

Samsung has acquired a stake in crypto exchange operator Dunamu and announced stablecoin support for its smartphones, integrating digital assets into its consumer electronics ecosystem. This positions Samsung as a first-mover among device manufacturers, challenging Apple and Google in embedded payments and digital asset management. Crypto exchanges gain a powerful distribution channel, while banks and fintechs must contend with wallet-native competition. Regulators are expected to examine smartphone-based stablecoin storage and transfer.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

Marqeta’s Enterprise Focus Drives 90% Jump in Deal Size on Embedded Finance and Stablecoins

Marqeta reported a 90% increase in average deal size for Q2, fueled by enterprise demand for embedded finance and stablecoin capabilities. This cements Marqeta’s position as a key infrastructure provider for large-scale fintechs and corporates seeking programmable payments. Competing processors now face pressure to match Marqeta’s stablecoin and embedded finance features or risk losing enterprise contracts. The next battleground is delivering multi-rail, programmable payments at scale.

Source: PYMNTS
№04

Accenture Buys Out IBM’s Stake in UniCredit JV to Deepen Banking Tech Services

Accenture has acquired IBM’s majority stake in their joint venture managing UniCredit’s technology infrastructure, consolidating its position in financial technology services. This deal gives Accenture greater control over core banking modernization projects for major European banks. IBM exits a key European banking partnership, while Accenture can now pursue deeper integration and digital transformation mandates. Further consolidation among banking tech service providers is likely as digital infrastructure demands grow.

Source: Finextra
№05

Visa and PayPal Expand Tap-to-Pay Pilots for Small Businesses in Europe

Visa and PayPal have expanded their tap-to-pay pilot programs for small businesses across several European markets, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments directly on smartphones without additional hardware. This initiative lowers barriers for micro-merchants and accelerates the shift toward digital acceptance. Competing acquirers and payment processors may need to accelerate similar offerings to retain small business clients as tap-to-phone adoption grows.

Source: The Paypers
The Long Memory
“Recent data from the ECB shows that contactless payments now account for over 70% of all card-present transactions in the euro area, up sharply since 2020.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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