Mastercard Stories

Australian Stories

Mastercard stories

Australian fintechs warn of tougher AI & payments scrutiny

Rising regulatory pressure could force banks, merchants and payment firms to tighten controls on AI and card costs as Australia reforms payments.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • This month

Fintech

B2Bpay urges firms to rethink card payments before ban

Businesses may see credit card rewards shrink as the Reserve Bank of Australia's surcharge ban and lower fees prompt banks to trim offers.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

OKX launches virtual Mastercard for Australian users

Australia-based users can now spend USDG balances on Mastercard's network without a physical card, via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Mastercard stories

Crypto

Yellow Card raises USD $40 million for stablecoin push

Backers including SC Ventures and Sony Innovation Fund are betting USD $40 million will help widen access to dollar-based payments in emerging markets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week

Crypto

Western Union launches Stablecard with Rain in 37 markets

The service lets remittance recipients hold dollar value in 37 markets, helping protect balances from local currency swings before spending via Visa.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week

Fintech

Southeast Asia's payment rails leave US merchants behind

US merchants risk missing billions in Southeast Asian sales as local instant-payment rails outgrow cards and stay entrenched.

By Yang Yang Zhang • 5 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

Emburse expands travel & expense partner ecosystem

Customers could gain more choice over travel, payments and expense tools as Emburse adds new partners and broadens its Mastercard tie-up.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last week

Fintech

Mastercard expands virtual card controls with Citi first

Businesses will get tighter spend limits and transaction checks as Mastercard rolls out new virtual card controls, with Citi first to go live globally.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last month

Fintech

Marqeta & zerohash link stablecoins to card payments

Users could soon spend digital dollar balances at shops as the firms seek to make stablecoins usable on existing card networks.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Businesses overpay on cross-border payments, PayDo says

Half of firms may be losing up to 20% on international transfers, with fragmented provider setups driving extra fees and slower settlement.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

Bir partners UnionPay to widen Azerbaijan card use

UnionPay cardholders in Azerbaijan will soon be able to pay at more merchants as Bir expands acceptance across its banking and eCommerce network.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

HSBC joins Asia AI payments group on liability rules

Gaps in existing rules are prompting banks and fintechs to seek common standards as AI-led payments expand rapidly across Asia Pacific.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Mastercard stories

Network Security

Circle names BlackRock & Visa for Arc validator group

Arc's push towards a public launch gains weight as BlackRock, Visa and other financial heavyweights agree to help secure the network.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week

Cloud Security

IBM, Red Hat offer Lightwell free to US institutions

Eligible US universities and non-profits can now use Lightwell to patch open source flaws without overhauling systems or sharing data.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Fintech

Ecommpay backs ICAEW campaign for small businesses

The deal gives accountants advising smaller firms fresh guidance on online payments, banking and cash flow as merchants seek quicker, simpler set-ups.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last week

Wearables

Apple Pay launches in the Philippines for shoppers

Shoppers in the Philippines now have access to Apple's contactless payment service across stores, apps and websites, with banks and merchants on board.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week