digital payments

Stripe is making a $53 billion bid to acquire PayPal in a strategic move to dominate the future of digital payments.

The fintech ETF segment has declined an average of 19% over the past year with $146 million in net outflows. Six fintech ETFs are highlighted, including ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and Global X FinTech ETF (FINX), which track themes like blockchain, digital payments, and financial software.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the full digitisation of remittances from abroad as part of efforts to establish a cashless economy. He emphasized enhancing digital payment adoption through QR code campaigns and praised a 300% increase in merchants using such systems.

Karnataka has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing hundi transactions and is promoting digital payments. The initiative aims to regulate informal financial practices while encouraging adoption of digital payment methods.

Digital payments in Pakistan have grown rapidly since 2010, with 88% of retail payments flowing through digital channels in FY25. Branchless banking app users reached 79.2 million, POS machines increased by 260% in nine years, and QR-enabled merchants exceeded 1 million. This shift is transforming economic activity by enabling traceable transactions, expanding business credit access, and fostering a gig economy.

Banxico has published new rules to boost digital payments and bank accounts. The initiative is intended to encourage the use of digital transactions and increase the number of bank accounts.

UBA Plc won the 2026 Banker Technology Award for AI innovation and launched an upgraded mobile app. The award recognizes the bank's innovations in digital payments, e-business, and AI-driven cross-border banking across over 20 African markets.

The article explores the future of the US Dollar in a cashless society, questioning its dominance as digital payment systems and cryptocurrencies gain traction. It highlights the potential challenges to traditional currency in an increasingly digitized financial landscape.