Аsia
Official Launch of Cross-Border QR Payment Phase 2 between Malaysia and Cambodia
BNM, Posted April 8, 2025
Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), launched phase 2 of the cross-border QR payment linkage between Malaysia and Cambodia today. With this expansion, Malaysian travellers can now seamlessly pay Cambodian merchants by scanning the KHQR using native mobile payment application of participating financial institutions. Cambodian travellers to Malaysia can continue to make payments using the Bakong application by scanning Malaysia’s DuitNow QR, a capability introduced in phase 1.
Over seven million local merchants in Malaysia and Cambodia will gain access to a wider customer base, providing economic benefits to both countries. Travellers can also enjoy instant cross-border payment through native payment applications without hassle.
Aleta Planet powers cashless payments for Muslim merchants in Southeast Asia
IBS Intelligence, Posted April 14, 2025
Singapore-based FinTech Aleta Planet has launched MPLUS Aleta, a digital payment app designed to meet the specific financial needs of Muslim communities across Southeast Asia, where many small and medium-sized businesses still rely heavily on cash and credit card transactions.
The app was first introduced at Singapore’s oldest Ramadan Bazaar in Geylang Serai this February. Participating merchants benefited from zero transaction fees, instant onboarding — with payments accepted within 24 hours — and secure, seamless digital transactions.
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Europe
SEPA Transfers to Start in October, Albanian Banks Submit Official Applications
Euro News, Posted April 11, 2025
The application packages for the membership of Albanian banks in the SEPA credit transfer scheme have been officially submitted. This scheme eliminates additional fees for any bank transfer within the SEPA system.
The application was submitted by the Bank of Albania and the Albanian Association of Banks to the European Payments Council (EPC).
According to the official statement by the Bank of Albania, all 11 banks within the Albanian banking system individually prepared their applications within a relatively short time, aiming for the first SEPA cross-border transactions to be carried out at the beginning of October 2025.
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Wise Launches ‘Spend With Others’: a New Feature for Spending With Family and Friends
Fintech Finance News, Posted April 16, 2025
the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, has announced the launch of ‘Spend with Others’, a new feature designed to simplify shared spending for families, friends and loved ones.
‘Spend with Others’ allows you to set up a group of family and friends to spend together straight from Wise, splitting everything from everyday costs to once-in-a-lifetime trips abroad. The one-of-a-kind feature is available free of charge to Wise Account customers in the UK.
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Barclays to Sell Stake in Payment Acceptance Business to Brookfield
PYMNTS, Posted April 17, 2025
Barclays and private equity firm Brookfield Asset Management partnered to grow Barclays’ payment acceptance business and transform it into a standalone entity.
The partnership brings together Barclays’ client relationships and payments experience in the United Kingdom and Brookfield’s expertise in payments, technology, operational transformation and corporate carve-outs, the companies said in a Thursday (April 17) press release. Together, the companies will focus on expanding the payment acceptance business’ range of services, enhancing the client experience it delivers and improving its financial performance, according to the release.
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Revolut Targets Europe’s Rewards Card Market
PYMNTS, Posted April 14, 2025
Revolut is reportedly building a rewards-based credit card that would use the RevPoints points system the company launched in July for use with debit cards.
The company’s new points-based credit cards are in the early stages of development, will be available in the U.K. and will be offered for each of its subscription tiers, Sifted reported Monday (April 14), citing unnamed sources.
Reached by PYMNTS, Revolut declined to comment on the report.
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USA
U.S. Bank Launches Business Essentials Account To Simplify Banking And Payments For SMBs
Nasdaq, Posted April 14, 2025
Bancorp (USB) Monday has introduced Business Essentials, an all-in-one checking and payments solution for small businesses.
The account includes no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited digital transactions, same-day access to card payments, a free mobile card reader, fraud tools, and software integration—all accessible via a single dashboard.
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Ex-Revolut duo’s Bleap partners with Mastercard in latest push to take stablecoins mainstream
The Block, Posted April 16, 2025
Blockchain bank account” platform Bleap has signed a strategic partnership with payments giant Mastercard in the latest push to integrate stablecoin payments into traditional financial infrastructure.
Former Revolut employees Joao Alves and Guilherme Gomes co-founded Bleap, announcing last year they had raised $2.3 million in pre-seed funding, led by Consensys founder Joe Lubin’s Ethereal Ventures, to build the platform, bringing the company to a $10 million post-money valuation. Bleap has since gone on to launch the beta version of its non-custodial wallet, offering simplified access to DeFi yields, multi-currency accounts, trading and exchange features, zero fees for buying or selling stablecoins and a Mastercard-powered debit card offering 2% cashback.
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PayPal expands cross-border reach in MEA with TerraPay partnership
IBS Intelligence, Posted April 16, 2025
PayPal has announced a strategic partnership with TerraPay to enable real-time cross-border fund transfers for customers across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The collaboration aims to improve access to global financial systems by connecting banks, mobile wallets, and financial institutions across the region.
Through this partnership, users across the MEA will be able to securely link their bank accounts or mobile wallets with PayPal, enabling seamless and fast fund transfers. TerraPay will serve as the technical enabler, supporting PayPal’s push to expand financial connectivity in emerging markets.
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America’s credit divide widens: Affluent borrowers rise while millions fall behind
IBS Intelligence, Posted April 17, 2025
American consumers are splitting into two financial realities. On one side, a segment of affluent borrowers is securing larger mortgages and rising credit card limits. On the other hand, millions are falling behind, struggling with minimum payments, rising delinquencies, and stagnant credit access. New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reveals that credit card delinquency rates have surged to record highs, with the share of consumers making only minimum payments climbing to levels not seen since 2012.
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LatAm
Fintech Belvo, Posted April 16, 2025
The round’s investors included new investors Quona Capital and existing ones Kaszek, Kibo Ventures, Future Positive, Citi Ventures, and Y Combinator. Funds will accelerate product development across data and payments as well as fuel Belvo’s AI strategy to continue powering the next generation of financial services in Latin America. We are thrilled to announce that we have raised $15 million in new funding! This round sees Quona Capital, a VC fund focused on emerging markets fintech, join our mission as a new investor. We’re also incredibly grateful for the continued support from our existing partners: Kaszek, Kibo Ventures, Future Positive, Citi Ventures, and Y Combinator
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Nubank, Posted April 14, 2025
Nubank is launching “Recomeço”, its largest campaign to date to help customers with overdue payments renegotiate their debts and embark on a healthier financial journey. Eligible customers will receive discounts of up to 99.9% for a limited time. This initiative demonstrates Nubank’s commitment to supporting Brazilian families in resetting their financial lives and building a stronger financial future.
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Nubank launches NuScore in Brazil
Nubank, Posted April 9, 2025
Nubank launched NuScore, a tool that allows customers to view their credit score at Nu. One of the main goals is to provide more transparency about the factors that influence the credit profile with the institution. In addition to the score, the tool will provide recommendations on how the customer can improve their credit profile over time and, consequently, their financial health.
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