While payments firms must navigate political and regulatory waters, consumers and merchants are best served by a competitive free market free of politics, with minimalist regulators playing the role of the night watchman, writes Eric Grover, a principal at Intrepid Ventures.

While the transaction will lower the cost of servicing First Data’s massive debt, the fintech and processing giant will be more complex and ponderous, writes Eric Grover, a principal at Intrepid Ventures.

The Federal Reserve has suggested it could join the market for instant interbank payments, but private-sector entrants would be better.

The Federal Reserve has suggested it could join the market for instant interbank payments, but private-sector entrants would be better.

China has been promising openness to outside payment companies for more than a decade. So far it hasn’t delivered, according to Eric Grover, a principal at Intrepid Ventures.

The acting director’s proposal to subject the agency’s rules to congressional approval provides an important and overlooked check on administrative power.

A bill to allow the USPS to offer financial products would be bad for consumers, taxpayers and the banking industry.

DCC is popular with payment processors and merchants because it almost effortlessly boosts profits, gouging an often one-time consumer instinctively comfortable and receptive to paying in his familiar home currency, writes Eric Grover, a principal at Intrepid Venture.

For merchants, a processor that’s a tad better, a bit more comprehensive, can make an enormous difference, writes Eric Grover, a principal at Intrepid Ventures.

More regulation, more regulators and more regulatory uncertainty both increase the cost of and inhibit financial services and payments innovation.