Cross border payments

The payments company is opening its real-time payments network, Visa Direct, to stablecoins through a prefunding pilot that will allow businesses to move money across borders when banks are closed.

Real-time cross-border payments are in demand, but lack interoperability — creating demand for Swift and Ripple to add new tech. Plus, PayPal pledges to add payment technology in the Middle East and Africa, and more international payments and fintech news.

The bank teamed up with Euronet Worldwide subsidiary Dandelion for cross-border payments to digital wallets in the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Colombia in an optionality play.

The cross-border transfer platform is broadening its business model with a subscription-based membership and products like a digital wallet and cash advances.

Finastra is the latest bank tech provider to bring stablecoins to cross-border payments, which experts say is a way banks can use blockchain post-GENIUS Act.

Brex's second license in the European Union is a key step in cementing turning payment relationships in the EU into broader financial relationships, including card issuing and cross-selling.

Western Union's North American money transfer business logged a decline in cross-border remittance revenue, led by drops in the U.S. to Mexico corridor, its largest remittance stream by far. The company is also bracing for the 1% remittance tax codified in the "Big Beautiful Bill," a levy that does not directly apply to banks.

The fintech has made its core payment app interoperable with Venmo and will connect 2 billion users through partnerships in India, China, Brazil and other major digital commerce markets.