KIAN JACKSON

For years, the narrative in fintech was "disruption." It was the agile, crypto-native startups versus the "legacy" giants. But if 2026 has taught us anything, it’s that the giants aren't just watching from the sidelines: they’re buying the field. Mastercard’s recent acquisition of BVNK , a powerhouse in stablecoin infrastructure, for a staggering $1.8 billion ($1.5 billion upfront with $300 million in performance-based contingencies), is more than just a headline. It is a de

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the global payments landscape lately, you’ll know that the goalposts aren't just moving: they’re being completely redesigned. As we charge through 2026, the strategy shifts we’re seeing from the giants are no longer about incremental gains. They are about fundamental survival in a world that has finally, irreversibly, gone digital-first. Dwayne Gefferie recently dropped a masterclass breakdown of the Mastercard 2026 Strategy, and if you’re a f

If you’ve been paying attention to the global payments landscape lately, you’ll know that the old guard of "dumb pipe" processing is effectively dead. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, the gap between simple transaction handlers and strategic growth partners has become a chasm. In his recent breakdown, "The Payments Strategy 2026," industry veteran Dwayne Gefferie highlighted a shift that every fintech founder and executive needs to bake into their roadmap: the transit

If you're running a fintech in 2026, chances are stablecoins have come up in at least one treasury conversation. Maybe it was about cross-border settlements taking five days when they should take five minutes. Or perhaps you're watching competitors unlock capital efficiency gains that seem almost unfair. The reality? Stablecoins aren't just a crypto curiosity anymore: they're becoming a legitimate treasury tool for forward-thinking finance teams. But jumping in without a stra

The payments landscape is experiencing a seismic shift as merchant acquirers embrace stablecoin settlement infrastructure. With the global stablecoin market reaching close to $250 billion as of May 2025, traditional payment rails are being reimagined through blockchain technology. But which acquirers are actually leading this transformation, and what does it mean for the future of commerce? The Payment Giants Setting the Pace Mastercard's Comprehensive Ecosystem Approach M

The payments landscape is about to experience its biggest transformation since the introduction of contactless cards. As we head into 2026, startups and fintechs need to understand the seismic shifts reshaping how money moves, how consumers pay, and where the biggest opportunities lie. After analysing market data, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies, here are the key trends that will define the next wave of payment innovation – and what they mean for your busin

The cross-border payments landscape just shifted dramatically. On September 30, 2025, Visa Direct unveiled a game-changing stablecoin...

Picture this: You're a payment service provider watching $40 trillion in cross-border payments happen annually, but you're only capturing...

The B2B crypto payment revolution is here, and it's moving faster than most businesses realise. While everyone's been debating whether...

If you’ve been following the latest fintech headlines, you’ve probably heard about the groundbreaking partnership between JPMorgan Chase...