The fintech and Stripe aren’t currently in talks, but a takeover is still possible.

After Libra/Diem’s failure to launch, the firm returns again to crypto with regulatory clarity.

As PayPal’s stock tumbles, Stripe is reportedly interested in buying some or all of the company.

Going platform-agnostic allows Cash App to reach Gen Zers for P2P payments.

It adds embedded investing in partnership with Atomic.

In 2026, economic uncertainty is quietly reshaping consumer payment behavior, driving shifts across cards, cash, BNPL, and emerging alternatives as households adapt how they manage spending and access liquidity.

Lackluster branded checkout and TPV growth in Q4 2025 end CEO Alex Chriss’ tenure.

The AI Platform Is Closer Than Some Rivals, but It Still Faces Barriers

This FAQ addresses what financial services marketers, strategists, and insights professionals need to know about credit card trends, payment networks, and marketing opportunities in 2026.

This FAQ addresses what commerce media is, how it differs from retail media, and where growth opportunities exist for advertisers in 2026.

Growing consumer adoption of AI tools is positioning AI platforms as an alternative shopping channel—but most AI-driven transactions are still completed on retailer websites.

The deal expands PayPal merchants’ reach across agentic platforms, tightening its grip on AI-driven discovery and checkout.

Supporting Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol signals a deeper bet on agentic commerce and AI-driven payments.

The move targets Gen Z and thin-file consumers who prefer debit and avoid revolving debt.

Trust in consumer banking varies widely in 2026. Primary banks still anchor core products. But confidence differs by generation, product, and channel, with honesty, transparency, and security shaping how consumers evaluate financial providers.

European users can now send money in-app as Klarna pushes into core banking territory.

New protocols aim to secure their role as default rails for bot-led shopping.

Opt-in discoverability could lock in younger, AI-curious shoppers early.

Sluggish fixed point-of-sale (POS) terminal sales are forcing providers to rethink their strategies. From adding softPOS capabilities to adding AI tools and vertical-specific offerings, POS software is becoming the real competitive battleground.

2025 saw mergers, layoffs, and AI overhauls as the agency model fractured and reformed.