Mastercard stories
Cardholders in Europe can now spend yield-bearing crypto from self-custody wallets at Mastercard merchants without first converting it to cash.
Financial institutions using Mastercard can now tap an AI fraud system built in Africa as digital payments face rising scam and compliance risks.
As cyber security vendors battle for buyers, Silent Push has tapped an experienced marketer to sharpen its global brand and go-to-market push.
Licences and local leadership will underpin growth as crypto payments provider Confirmo targets a narrower, regulated field in Europe and the US.
The pilot suggests tokenised Treasury redemptions could settle across borders in seconds, bypassing traditional banking cut-off windows.
Community banks will test tools for fraud, payments and compliance as ICBA brings six firms into its eleventh ThinkTECH accelerator class.
Merchants could win back lost sales as tokenised checkout trims friction, reduces card-not-present fraud and keeps payment data in bank rails.
The open-source framework targets wallet-based payments as digital wallet use and agentic commerce expand rapidly worldwide.
Retailers face a new fight for visibility as AI agents increasingly decide which products get bought and checked out for customers.
The payment option is generating more completed sales, with approval rates for online guest checkouts rising to 75.18% in April 2026.
The approval gives Mastercard a regulated route into stablecoins and tokenised deposits as banks and fintechs test faster settlement systems.
UK merchants facing rising friendly fraud will gain access to tools aimed at cutting disputes and recovering revenue through the new tie-up.
UK SMEs can now take contactless card payments on smartphones, with settlement into Starling accounts arriving the next day.
The tie-up could widen card acceptance and lower fraud risks for overseas shoppers and Chinese merchants as JD.com expands abroad.
Businesses using x402 could keep payment amounts and balances private, as TACEO's new Merces-based system targets confidential transactions on Base.
Britons are favouring live events and other real-world outings, with Mastercard research showing many will cut back on gadgets and streaming.
Travellers and small merchants in Indonesia and China can now use domestic e-wallets across both markets, widening QR payment acceptance.
Retailers are bearing the cost as millions of valid card payments are challenged, leaving banks to refund GBP £3.5 billion in a year.
High decline rates and chargeback risk are already hitting merchants as AI agents struggle to pass payment checks built for human shoppers.
Backed through to 2027, the fintech body can expand work on SME finance and digital verification with new government and bank support.
