Payments Daily · Saturday, October 17, 2026Daily
PAY.NEWS
Stripe Expands Global Payments and Stablecoin Issuing
Stripe announced the expansion of Global Payouts, the launch of stablecoin issuing in 27 EU countries, and a unified API stack. Visa Direct introduced a stablecoin prefunding feature, with Inyo Global becoming the first integrator; Circle plans to enter approximately 50 emerging and developing markets.
Payments & Infrastructure
Stripe BlogFirst partyStripe Expands Global Payouts and Stablecoin Issuing, Launches Unified API Stack
Stripe launched three global updates for fintech companies, including expanding Global Payouts, launching stablecoin issuing in 27 EU countries, and providing a unified API stack. Global Payouts now supports sending instant stablecoin payments to 160 markets and traditional currency payments to more than 100 markets; stablecoin cards cover more than 65 countries globally, with plans to expand to 100 countries by the end of 2026.
Cards & Issuing
Visa and Mastercard Urge Court to Approve Card-Swipe Fee Settlement
Visa and Mastercard submitted a joint response to the court urging approval of a card-swipe fee settlement involving more than 12 million merchants. The final approval hearing is scheduled for November 16. The agreement would reduce credit card interchange fees by 10 basis points, set a 1.25% rate for standard consumer cards, and allow merchants to reject certain high-fee premium and commercial Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Walmart and multiple merchant organizations oppose the proposal, while Visa and Mastercard said the objections repeat arguments the court had previously rejected.
PYMNTSMarqeta and Coinbase Launch Stablecoin-Powered Payment Card Solution
Marqeta and Coinbase partnered to launch a stablecoin-powered payment card solution, which Marqeta’s enterprise customers can now offer to users. Coinbase will handle stablecoin balance custody and conversion between digital assets and fiat currency, while Base will provide the on-chain settlement infrastructure; Marqeta will handle card issuing, payment processing, and relationships with banks and card networks. Users can spend their stablecoin balances at merchants that accept bank cards.
Stablecoins & On-chain
PYMNTSVisa Direct Launches Stablecoin Prefunding Feature, with Inyo Global as First Integrator
Visa Direct has begun offering a stablecoin prefunding feature to cross-border payment companies, allowing eligible customers and partners to use USDC to prefund Visa Direct cross-border payments in near real time. The first integrator, Inyo Global, has integrated the capability into its platform, enabling businesses to manage cross-border payments through existing Inyo APIs across more than 180 countries.
CoinDeskCircle Plans Expansion into Approximately 50 Emerging and Developing Markets
Circle plans to enter approximately 50 emerging and developing markets to address growing demand for digital dollar payments in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. USDC circulation is approximately $72.6 billion, accounting for about one-quarter of the stablecoin market; Circle will also support its expansion through the acquisition of Tazapay, the launch of the Arc blockchain, and approval to operate a U.S. federal trust bank. The article also notes that artificial intelligence agents are increasingly using USDC for small payments.
Regulation & Compliance
Three Senior Russian Officials Join Board of Sanctioned Payments Company A7
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov joined the board of payments company A7.
CoreWeave and Broadcom Reject Tokenized Shares Trading on OKXICE
CoreWeave and Broadcom rejected the trading of tokens linked to their shares on OKXICE’s new trading venue. Cerebras Systems also did not allow related tokens to trade on the venue.