Paypal Expands Crypto Reach: 60 Million Venmo Users Now Linked to Moonpay

Venmo’s 60 million users can now fund transactions on the Moonpay platform, thanks to a new integration announced by Paypal. U.S. users can use Venmo balances, linked bank accounts, or cards to buy and sell cryptocurrencies through Moonpay, expanding payment flexibility. However, this option is unavailable in New York and Texas, continuing Paypal’s push into … Read more

Russia Pushes for Sustainable BRICS Interbank Networks and Payment Systems

Russia is pushing to develop independent interbank networks and payment systems within BRICS to boost the bloc’s financial influence. Moscow aims to expand cross-border settlements and the use of national currencies in BRICS trade, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions. These efforts have gained attention during Russia’s BRICS presidency, … Read more

Bank of Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Payment Infrastructure by July 2025

The Bank of Russia aims to open the payment infrastructure for the Russian central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, by July next year. Larger banks will offer digital ruble accounts and services by this deadline, with smaller institutions following later. The initiative seeks to enhance payment efficiency and reduce costs, with retailers also … Read more

Swift Unveils Plan to Integrate Digital Assets and Currencies Into Global Payment Network

Swift has unveiled a plan to enable the movement of digital assets and currencies on its global payment network. The initiative aims to integrate regulated digital currencies into Swift’s platform, building on past experiments. “We’re paving the way towards real-world solutions that will enable our members to access and transact with regulated digital assets and … Read more

Bilateral Settlement Between China and Russia Worsens Due to New Sanctions

The payment flow between China and Russia is being disrupted once again due to the enactment of a new package of sanctions that includes 46 Chinese companies allegedly assisting the Russian war effort. This has affected imports of dual-use products, which can be used for both military and civilian purposes, as well as other merchandise. … Read more

Dubai Court Recognizes Cryptocurrency for Salary Payments

In a landmark decision, the Dubai Court of First Instance has recognized the payment of salaries in cryptocurrency under employment contracts, marking a significant shift in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s legal approach to digital currencies. The 2024 ruling, case number 1739 of 2024, contrasts with a 2023 decision where a similar claim was rejected … Read more

BRICS Advances Toward Independent Digital Payment Platform, Russian Official Says

The BRICS economic bloc is progressing towards a digital payment platform, Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has revealed. The initiative, named BRICS Bridge, aims to establish an independent financial system. This system could mitigate dependency on Western institutions, especially amid sanctions and Russia’s SWIFT disconnection. BRICS Moves Forward With Digital Payment Platform Initiative The … Read more