The hottest Payments Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

Long Take: How Wise disrupted $150T of Cross-Border Payments and earns $1B in revenue

The Fintech Blueprint • 511 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Wise disrupted the costly traditional cross-border payment system by using a peer-to-peer platform and offering transparent, low fees.
  2. The company earned $1.2B in revenue in 2021 with a significant portion coming from its margin on FX transfers.
  3. Wise's growth and profitability are driven by its innovative approach to simplifying and optimizing cross-border transactions.

Japan Gets Options. China Gets the Wall.

Pekingnology • 49 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. Japan forced Apple to open iOS to alternative app stores, alternative payments, and external purchase links, but Apple implements these changes with safety guardrails and says it won’t roll them out everywhere.
  2. China still faces Apple's strict App Store controls and high commissions, and rising antitrust suits and consumer complaints challenge that status quo while bespoke deals like Tencent’s 15% cut highlight uneven flexibility.
  3. Global enforcement and court rulings are shifting the center of gravity toward more choice without abandoning security, and China could push for simpler steps like allowing steering and regulated alternative payments rather than full distribution changes.

Issue #146: PayPal Gets a New CEO, Palmer Luckey's Bank Gets Its Charter, And Experian To Buy Own Up

Fintech Radar • 8 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Experian is buying an AI mortgage-shopping platform to move beyond credit reporting and directly steer consumers through mortgage origination, turning its data advantage into a distribution channel for lenders.
  2. A Palmer Luckey–backed neobank won a US national banking charter in under eight months, signaling that regulators are approving new charters much faster and opening a path for more fintechs to become banks.
  3. PayPal replaced its CEO amid board complaints about its pace of change, exposing a deeper identity problem where the company needs a clear strategic direction rather than just new leadership.

Binance Targets Kids As Young As Six For Crypto Accounts

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
đź”® Crypto Payments
  1. Binance launched a parent-controlled "Binance Junior" app and a kids' crypto book that let children as young as six hold and receive crypto, sparking worries about safety, fraud, and money‑laundering risks when minors get access to digital assets.
  2. Pipe removed CEO Luke Voiles after massive layoffs and signs of financial stress, the CFO also departed, and a product executive is now serving as acting CEO.
  3. Seven state attorneys general are investigating major BNPL firms over underwriting, disputes, and consumer protections, while Klarna rolled out costly subscription tiers with cashback and premium perks that could raise affordability and consumer‑risk concerns.
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Deal of the Week: Flutterwave acquires Mono in Africa's first YC-to-YC exit

Afridigest • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Payments
  1. Flutterwave has acquired Mono in an all-stock deal reported around $25–40M (insiders say $30M), and Mono will continue operating independently while the transaction awaits approvals.
  2. The deal combines Flutterwave’s payments platform with Mono’s open banking APIs, letting the combined business offer account-to-account payments, KYC, bank verification, and data-driven risk tools in one stack.
  3. This move signals growing consolidation and pragmatism in African fintech as open banking pioneers face regulatory and market challenges, and while some investors show paper gains, actual liquidity from the swap remains uncertain.

Problems at Sezzle (SEZL)

The Bear Cave • 443 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Sezzle is a payment platform that allows customers to buy now and pay later, but there are concerns about its roles in facilitating fraud and illegal businesses.
  2. Some online pharmacies using Sezzle have been found to sell unapproved or counterfeit drugs, leading to consumer complaints about quality and delivery issues.
  3. Regulatory actions against companies like Google and past illegal activities show the serious risks and penalties involved in dealing with rogue online pharmacies.

Dream Temple’s Axie Maxi tee collection is LIVE!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
đź”® Crypto Payments
  1. Dream Temple launched a limited-edition Axie Maxi tee collection with only 300 shirts available, each priced at $50 and designed in partnership with Axie and Ronin.
  2. The tees are sold exclusively on Dream Temple’s website where you pick size and shipping, and you can pay with RON, USDC, cash, or Ronin Wallet; shipping starts one week after order.
  3. Dream Temple is a lifestyle brand known for collaborations with crypto founders and projects, and this drop targets long-time Axie fans and Web3 fashion supporters.

đź“ž The Magic Hotline: Talk to Substack Sam!

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 3 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. A live webinar with Substack engineer Sam Sudar is scheduled for Monday, February 16 at 11:30 AM Pacific, giving readers a chance to ask about the platform directly.
  2. You can ask about features, bugs, billing, podcasting, notifications, and design issues, and if you can’t join live you can leave questions in the comments for the host to ask.
  3. The Zoom link and some event access are behind the paywall, and subscribing also gives access to archives, podcasts, classes, group chats, and an upcoming symposium tomorrow at 4:30 PM Paris time.

Trust Me: Wise, Circle, Ripple Seek Charters, Master Account Access

Fintech Business Weekly • 118 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Many fintech companies like Wise, Circle, and Ripple are trying to get bank charters to simplify regulations and improve their operations. This will help them manage their assets without needing a third party.
  2. Obtaining a bank charter could allow these companies access to important payment systems, like those operated by the Federal Reserve. However, getting approval for this access is not guaranteed and can be complicated.
  3. Stripe has recently won approval for a special bank charter that lets it operate more independently as a payment processor. This gives it more control but does not allow it to hold customer deposits.

FinCEN, Banking Regulators Clarify CIP Rule's TIN Collection Requirements

Fintech Business Weekly • 111 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. New banking rules from FinCEN allow banks to collect taxpayer ID numbers differently. This makes it easier for customers to open accounts without giving out sensitive information right away.
  2. The Synapse bankruptcy case is still ongoing, with discussions about how to best manage and store important data related to the case. There are concerns about costs and the future of the data storage.
  3. There's a growing interest in stablecoins from big financial companies, with new regulations and products being developed. However, experts are cautious about their long-term impact on traditional banking systems.

What Is Apple Up To With Its Digital ID?

Fintech Business Weekly • 22 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Apple now lets people create a Digital ID in Wallet from a U.S. passport, which greatly expands who can hold a mobile credential. Real-world acceptance is still very limited and mostly confined to TSA checkpoints.
  2. Apple is emphasizing privacy and minimal data sharing for its Digital ID and is playing a long game to grow user adoption so merchants and services will add support. This slow-but-steady approach aims to make use cases like KYC and travel booking more viable over time.
  3. Synapse’s Chapter 11 was dismissed but big questions remain about missing consumer funds, reserve money held by partners, and ongoing criminal and civil probes. At the same time, banks are striking open-banking fee deals and regulators are allowing banks to hold crypto for gas fees, showing shifting industry and regulatory dynamics.

Net Interest 2025 Year in Review

Net Interest • 12 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. AI soaked up massive capital and is reshaping finance. Hyperscalers spent hundreds of billions on data centers, and AI is changing equity research and powering new payments and agent-driven sales.
  2. Private markets are growing into the role once held by public markets, with private equity and credit expanding rapidly but raising valuation and liquidity concerns. Some private valuations look stretched and could create coordination risks if sentiment shifts.
  3. Retail investors and fintech are changing market structure while crypto infrastructure advances. Retail trading share has risen and firms like Robinhood gained influence as stablecoins and tokenization grew under looser regulation.

The Customer Is Always Right (but not always human)

How the Hell • 49 implied HN points • 17 Sep 25
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. AI agents are getting much better at long, uninterrupted work and will learn to budget their thinking and compute, which will push costly or complex tasks from cheap subscriptions to pay-per-use models.
  2. Agents will pay for external resources like compute, data, web access, and licenses, and websites and services will likely charge tiny fees to serve those automated clients.
  3. A new market will appear to sell services to agents—everything from automated testing, voices, and compliance checks to agent banks and even shady offerings like credential markets.

PYUSD

Confronting the Future • 137 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Stablecoins like PYUSD are becoming inevitable in the global financial landscape.
  2. Public blockchains erode monopolies and offer new options for value exchange.
  3. Introduction of PYUSD by PayPal will lead to legislative action, regulatory scrutiny, and talent demand in the stablecoin space.

Stablecoin Saturation

Reverie by Daniel Cawrey • 66 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
đź”® Crypto Payments
  1. Stablecoins like USDC and USDT are very popular, with market values reaching around $250 billion. This growth shows how important they are for both crypto businesses and regular users.
  2. Many people are starting to notice stablecoin apps that make financial transactions easier and cheaper. Companies are building new applications using existing stablecoins to help users move money without banks.
  3. As stablecoins become more common, they will help bring more users into the blockchain world. These users might not even realize they are using crypto, since everything will function like regular dollars.

Dark software: a new model for SaaS and fintech; Income statement: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express; Why the interest in Payfacs?;

Fintech Wrap Up • 58 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Dark software is a new model for SaaS and fintech with a focus on hyper-specialized ICP, full stack product offering, and outsourcing products to minimize costs.
  2. Interest in Payfacs is driven by the need for embedded payments, ease of setting up payment capabilities, risk management, compliance support, and access to reporting tools.
  3. Income statements from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express show patterns of growth in consumer spending, new payment flows, digital innovations, and value-added services.

Introducing TapToAuth: Bringing the Familiarity of Contactless Payments to Open Banking

Building The Future of Payments by Mike Kelly • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. TapToAuth combines contactless payments with the advantages of open banking, offering a new, secure, and cost-effective solution.
  2. This innovation minimizes fraud, reduces digital payment costs by enabling instant fund transfers, and enhances security with a cryptographically secured NFC protocol.
  3. TapToAuth not only provides a seamless customer experience but also integrates loyalty programs and digital receipts, transforming every transaction into an engagement opportunity for retailers.

Agentic Friday

Net Interest • 12 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
đź’Ľ Business Payments
  1. AI assistants are increasingly doing shopping tasks for people — searching, comparing, negotiating, and placing orders — and they're already driving big growth in traffic and orders.
  2. Analysts and major platforms project agentic commerce could be worth trillions by 2030, creating a huge new stream of online retail revenue.
  3. Payments and e‑commerce companies are racing to reposition themselves to capture this shift, and those strategic moves will reshape who wins and loses in online retail.

FHFA Director Pulte’s One-Sided War on Fed Chair Powell: Briefly Explained

Fintech Business Weekly • 37 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. FHFA Director Pulte is publicly criticizing Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates, claiming it's harming homeownership. His aggressive stance has caught media attention and raised some eyebrows in financial circles.
  2. Connecticut's Department of Banking has denied a public information request for an accreditation report, arguing it could harm the banking system. This move has sparked confusion as to how a positive report could be seen as dangerous.
  3. JPMorgan Chase plans to charge third-parties for accessing consumer banking data, which is stirring up tension between traditional banks and fintech companies. This fee structure highlights an ongoing divide in the financial services landscape.

Human API, Sapiom $15.75M, EU Challenges Meta

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 16 Feb 26
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. AI agents are starting to make real purchases on their own as companies build secure spending APIs that turn budgets into programmable keys, letting agents buy compute, services, or physical work within human-set limits.
  2. APIs are moving beyond cloud data into the physical world and human labor — from programmable cellular networks and surgical-robot vision APIs to marketplaces that let agents hire people for last‑mile tasks.
  3. Platform control and regulation are becoming central: major platforms are tightening or restricting developer access while regulators push to keep key APIs open, reshaping how apps and agents get distribution and resources.

The CFPB Has Entered the Chat: Is A Synapse "Bailout" In the Cards?

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. The CFPB is involved in a bankruptcy case for Synapse, which could lead to financial relief for depositors who lost money. They may use a fund designed to help consumers if they win a judgment against Synapse.
  2. Paddle had to pay a $5 million fine for its role in enabling tech support scams that tricked consumers, especially the elderly. Now, Paddle is banned from processing payments for such deceptive businesses.
  3. MoneyGram settled for $250,000 after allegations of mishandling customer money transfers. They must now follow consumer protection laws better to ensure timely transactions and accurate information.

Check Me If You Can

Money in Transit • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
đź’Ľ Business Payments
  1. Blockchain technology can be used for enforcing social contracts like promises of future payments.
  2. Payments are essentially promises of money exchange, conveyed in various ways, including through checks.
  3. The engineering mindset behind the development of checks engineered modern payment systems.

Africa’s payment future is hybrid, borderless & inclusive — watch the breakdown

Afridigest • 31 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
đź’Ľ Business Payments
  1. Payments in Africa are changing to be hybrid, mixing digital and physical options. This will help more people use payment systems easily.
  2. There's a strong push for payments to be borderless across Africa. New systems will allow different countries to trade directly using their currencies.
  3. Inclusive finance is becoming more important. New services will help communities save and invest together, making finance accessible for everyone.

LinkedIn Posts from 2022 and 2023

In Depth on Africa Fintech • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
đź’Ľ Business Payments
  1. LinkedIn can be a useful tool for clarifying thinking by writing publicly.
  2. The topics covered include banking, payments, fintech, regulation, innovation, leadership, ecommerce, emerging markets analysis, electric vehicles, venture capital, and general business/startups.
  3. Content includes insights on leadership, customer acquisition, startup success, failure reasons, investing in Africa, and disrupting industries.

Welcome to Ronin, Transak!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 86 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
đź”® Crypto Payments
  1. Transak is now a part of Ronin, providing more ways for users to buy crypto easily. It helps people convert their regular money into digital currency like RON and USDC.
  2. You can now buy NFTs on Mavis Market using a debit or credit card. This makes it a lot simpler and faster to get NFTs.
  3. Users in many countries can buy RON, USDC, and SLP directly with their cards through Transak. KYC checks might be needed depending on where you are.

Open Banking +

Fintech Across the Pond • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Open banking lacks a scalable commercial model, hindering broader adoption.
  2. SPAA aims to address the commercial gap in open banking by introducing premium APIs.
  3. SPAA enables new payment features and access to enhanced data assets for better functionality.

The Biden Money Laundering Operation

The Reactionary • 212 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Payments
  1. The House Oversight Committee discovered a complex money laundering scheme involving the Biden family and foreign companies.
  2. Payments over $10 million were made to Biden family members, with funds structured to conceal their origins.
  3. The investigation also revealed significant financial involvement with foreign entities, particularly from China, and highlighted the need for further scrutiny.

Tokenization, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Vault

Money in Transit • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. Tokenization is a powerful way to reduce costs and secure card payments by isolating parts of payment applications for PCI compliance.
  2. Tokens are non-exploitable and require a vault to store the actual data, providing security in case of a breach.
  3. Using Tokenization as a Service providers can strengthen a startup's position by avoiding vendor lock-in and enhancing pricing power.

When cash is still king

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Everyday cash use is falling, but the total value of banknotes in circulation has risen sharply, largely because people hold more large-denomination notes.
  2. Low or negative interest rates lower the opportunity cost of holding cash, so people hoard big bills as a store of value and the velocity of those notes falls when rates are low and rises when rates increase.
  3. Large banknotes make it easier to pay off the books or hide gifts, so the growth in big bills likely reflects tax evasion and a larger shadow economy, which reduces government tax revenue.

Blue Ridge "Explores Options" For Capital Raise As It Reduces BaaS, Fintech Exposure

Fintech Business Weekly • 126 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Blue Ridge Bank is looking to raise capital and reduce its exposure to banking-as-a-service and fintech.
  2. States like California and Wisconsin are regulating earned wage access, which is positive but adds compliance challenges.
  3. Plaid has launched a subsidiary as a consumer reporting agency, moving towards offering cash flow underwriting services.

Arkansas Congressman’s Proposal To “Make Community Banking Great Again”

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. A Congressman from Arkansas has a plan to help community banks. He wants to improve regulations to make banking easier and more fair for smaller banks.
  2. The CFPB has decided which digital payment apps will be closely monitored. Apps that process a lot of transactions, like Venmo and Cash App, will need to follow new rules to protect consumers.
  3. During a recent hearing, top banking officials talked about the health of the banking system. They mentioned the need for stronger risk management and staying updated with new financial technologies.

What Makes Payment Applications Different?

Money in Transit • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
đź•ą Technology Payments
  1. Payment applications need to focus on serving users well, not just at a large scale.
  2. Design documents are crucial for creating software that aligns with the needs of the payment domain.
  3. Building payment applications requires careful planning and considerations due to the complexity of handling transactions and data.

Payment of the Seas

Money in Transit • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
đź’° Finance Payments
  1. Credit cards offer flexibility in payment not provided by cash or checks.
  2. Card transactions go through initialization, authorization, and capture stages for security and efficiency.
  3. Companies like Visa and Mastercard simplify transactions by connecting merchants with various banks.