Payment acceptance and financial services platform Stripe has agreed to acquire payment orchestration startup Orum for an undisclosed amount. The company’s payment API orchestrates instant payouts, using AI to predict the availability of funds within an account and pre-authorize transactions. In addition to its payment orchestration tools, Orum also verifies bank accounts and delivers payments 24/7 with its Direct to Fed solution that’s built on a connection to the US Federal Reserve’s payment rails as a service provider. CEO Stephany Kirkpatrick said that combining with Stripe offers a “rare” opportunity to help Orum accelerate its mission to power a better financial system where everyone has the opportunity to build their potential. For Stripe, which processed more than $1.4 trillion in total payment volume in 2024, the Orum purchase is just the latest in a string of acquisitions.
NACHA says AI is enhancing payment operations through real-time decision-making powered by intelligent exception handling to automated return code analysis; also end-user UX is improving through real-time status updates and self-service tools; AI is also identifying potential fraud
AI is changing that—accelerating processing, reducing human touchpoints, and giving end users more control over their payment experience. AI’s most immediate impact on payments is speed. From intelligent exception handling to automated return code analysis, AI enables real-time decision-making that traditional workflows can’t match. ACH files can be scanned, validated and corrected in minutes. Instant payments—via FedNow or RTP—can be verified, risk-assessed and cleared in milliseconds, supporting round-the-clock processing and meeting service-level terms and conditions. Automation also eliminates slowdowns, ensuring that payment systems can handle growing volumes without compromising performance or accuracy. AI can introduce smart automation: Predictive models can determine the best return reason for entries that can’t be posted; Machine learning can automatically classify and route exceptions, reducing manual decisioning; Natural language models can read remittance data and match it to payments, harnessing the power of payment-related data. Leveraging the power of AI enables operations teams to streamline functions, focusing on areas that are better served by intuition and experience, while leaving manual processes to be conducted more efficiently by the technology. AI also impacts the end-user experience. Instead of relying on manual processes, which may involve multiple parties and steps, users are increasingly able to self-address issues in real time. For instance: If an ACH payment fails, an AI-powered system can notify the user instantly and walk them through correction steps. Chatbots and smart interfaces can provide real-time status updates, reducing support inquiries related to outstanding payments. AI can identify potential fraud and anonymous activity, proactively reaching out to an end user, confirming if the payment is an issue, and then taking appropriate steps such as locking down the account from future posting, suspending services and payments, and notifying appropriate financial institution staff. A powerful trend emerging in 2025 is agentic AI—autonomous systems that not only analyze data but take action on behalf of users or teams to meet a desired objective. In payment operations, agentic AI could proactively resolve exceptions, initiate corrective workflows, communicate with counterparties, or reattempt payments using updated information—all without human involvement.
Xsolla and Adyen partner to give game developers full control of payments, checkout, and revenue strategy: delivers global card support, branded checkout, advanced analytics, and developer-friendly APIs
Xsolla announced a strategic partnership with Adyen which supports the launch of Xsolla Payment Service Provider (PSP), a new payment solution designed for studios that want to operate as their own Merchant of Record (MoR) while leveraging Xsolla’s unique payment and game tech infrastructure. The Xsolla PSP gives developers full control over their payment experience, handling taxes, compliance, direct end-user relationships, and revenue while providing global coverage across 200+ markets and 160+ currencies. This model complements Xsolla’s traditional MoR services by offering a parallel path to payment control, flexibility, and ownership of player relationships in markets where game studios have their local presence. Key benefits of Xsolla PSP include: Controlled Checkout: Fully customizable checkout experiences tailored to your brand and monetization strategy. Global Card Payment Support: Accept payments across 200+ countries and territories in 160+ currencies via Adyen’s global acquiring capabilities, with additional payment methods being added. Flexible Payment Features: Tokenization, one-time and recurring billing, partial/full refunds, tax calculation at checkout, and more. Advanced Reporting & Analytics: Real-time transaction visibility and insights into buyer behavior. Developer-Friendly Integration: Fast, secure APIs integrated with Xsolla’s ecosystem of commerce tools. Industry Expertise: Powered by two proven leaders in the space, Xsolla and Adyen, with decades of gaming and fintech excellence. The Xsolla + Adyen partnership enhances Xsolla’s PSP offering by enabling: Trusted financial processing with Adyen’s global acquiring network; Broader international reach with seamless cross-border support; Scalable, secure, and flexible commerce tools built for games of any size.
Stablecoin‑native Obita builds a blockchain payment network with enterprise compliance, cross‑border clearing, and unified treasury, targeting SE Asia, Central Asia, Africa and LatAm
Obita, an enterprise-level cross-border payment and digital financial network, announced the completion of its angel round financing exceeding US$10 million. With compliant stablecoins at its foundation, Obita is building a blockchain-native payment network under its Obita Mesh framework, empowering global enterprises to experience low-cost, real-time settlement with regulatory-compliant solutions. Addressing industry pain points such as high foreign exchange costs, delayed settlements, and insufficient fund flow transparency, Obita integrates enterprise-grade compliance systems, cross-border clearing networks, and unified treasury management tools to redefine the ways capital flows for cross-border trade, e-commerce, and supply chain platforms. The company has an initial focus on high-growth markets in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America. “Cross-border payments are at a tipping point driven by stablecoin innovation,” said Dayong ZHANG, Co-founder and CEO of Obita. “We aim to integrate blockchain technology’s revolutionary potential into real-world global capital flows through our enterprise-grade, end-to-end, compliant, secure, and high-quality integrated services.” The funds will be allocated to system R&D, compliance infrastructure development, and global market expansion, accelerating the deployment of its stablecoin-based cross-border payment network.
NACHA automates request for proof of an ACH Rules compliance audit
For over a decade, Nacha has been contacting financial institutions to request proof of an ACH Rules compliance audit of the financial institution and, if applicable, its Third-Party Senders, in accordance with Article One, Subsection 1.2.2 (Audits of Rules Compliance). Until now, this has been a manual process, which has limited the number of participants contacted. Beginning in October 2025, automation of this process through Nacha’s Risk Management Portal (riskmanagementportal.nacha.org) will enable Nacha to contact more financial institutions. Automated outreach and response also aligns with Nacha’s recent Operations Bulletin #2-2025, “Encouraging the Use of Secure Electronic Channels for Resolving ACH Exceptions.” Use of the Portal to facilitate the delivery of proof-of-audit requests and attestations will provide greater security for the information being exchanged. By contacting more financial institutions each quarter, and by using a secure channel for requests and responses, the process is becoming more efficient, inclusive, and accountable. The rule requiring Participating Depository Financial Institutions (DFIs) and Third-Party Senders to perform an annual audit has long served as a critical tool for assuring compliance with the Nacha Operating Rules. Compliance contributes to operational soundness among financial institutions and Third-Party Senders.
The GENIUS Act’s requirement for all approved stablecoin issuers to have robust AML, KYC and risk monitoring programs coupled with national trust bank charter that allows companies to offer crypto custodial services to open the stablecoin market to a wider range of users
With the GENIUS Act now law, stablecoin issuers—including banks and fintechs—finally have regulatory clarity under federal oversight, allowing for broader adoption. Federally insured banks can issue stablecoins, while fintechs require Federal Reserve approval. The law aims to legitimize stablecoins with rules on consumer protections, reserves, AML, and KYC, drawing more users and revenue. Paxos CEO Charles Cascarilla said the law will help stablecoins go mainstream, while Mastercard’s Jorn Lambert emphasized regulation as key to adoption. Paxos, PayPal, Fiserv, and Mastercard are part of the Global Dollar Network pushing for scale. Though stablecoins won’t likely replace everyday payments in developed economies, they’re seen as transformative for cross-border transactions, gig economy pay, and digital wallets. Tether and Circle welcomed the law, with Circle seeking a national trust bank charter to expand its services. Critics, including the ABA and Consumer Reports, warn that stablecoins could disrupt traditional banking and lack adequate consumer safeguards. Still, large banks like Citi, JPMorgan, and BofA are exploring stablecoin strategies, with Citi appearing the most bullish, according to KeyBanc.
Startup Lava Payments’s digital wallet enables users to buy a one-time usage credit that AI agents can simply charge as they perform various tasks on a “pay as you go basis” without requiring transaction approval and human intervention
Startup Lava Payments, aims to take on payment giants by building a solution for the modern web where AI agents now handle transactions for their customers. Lava is a digital wallet that lets merchants use usage credits to facilitate transactions. The idea is that one set of credits working across merchants and services makes it easier for autonomous agents to make payments without needing human intervention. It works like this: A merchant can enable the Lava wallet for their customers to use and upload (credits) money to. Once a customer does that, they can take that money and use it at any merchant that also accepts Lava and any of the foundational models, like GPT and Claude, on a “pay as you go basis.” So, rather than having to pay for each tool, a user buys a one-time usage credit that AI agents can simply charge as they perform various tasks. No more asking the user to approve transaction after transaction. Without Lava, agents can’t move smoothly through the internet because they constantly get blocked when it comes time to pay. Lava is set to be the “invisible layer that kind of powers the AI web,” especially as AI agents find themselves more and more in the checkout line. “We see the world as very interconnected,” founder Mitchell Jones said about what makes his product different. “What we’re really focused on is building [for the] agent-native economy.”
Nacha urges ACH participants to abandon faxes, mandating secure electronic channels—Risk Management Portal now standard for exception data exchange with no fax support
Nacha’s Operations Bulletin #2-2025 strongly recommends that all Non-Consumer Originators, Participating Depository Financial Institutions, Third-Party Service Providers and Third-Party Senders abandon the use of faxes and use only a secure electronic channel when exchanging information and documents to resolve ACH Exceptions. As an alternative to faxes, Nacha offers a secure electronic channel available to financial institutions within the Risk Management Portal for resolving many types of ACH exceptions. For example, an Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) might provide a signed Letter of Indemnity (LOI) to support its request that a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) return an ACH Credit. An RDFI can notify an ODFI about the status of a request for return using the Portal’s Return Status form, which can also be used to advise an ODFI after receiving an LOI. An RDFI can notify an ODFI that it has exercised its Exemption from Funds Availability as allowed by the Nacha Operating Rules. Finally, FIs might exchange information to resolve an IAT exception. The Risk Management Portal has evolved to serve as a channel for sensitive information that must be exchanged securely. The channel is secure even from Nacha, which cannot view, collect, or retain data or documents exchanged between parties. The Portal is also evolving to discourage the use of unsecure channels. From now on, any new categories added to the ACH Contact Registry in Nacha’s Risk Management Portal—such as Exception Resolution and Information Security contacts—will not capture fax numbers. Nacha believes phasing out support for fax numbers will steer users toward channels that provide appropriate security for the information being exchanged.
Debit rails drive fintech lock‑in: Cash App Card hits 26M actives; Affirm Cardholders up 97% with 132% GMV growth; PayPal/Venmo debit TPV is up 60%+
The latest batch of Q2 2025 results make it clear: Debit cards are no longer optional add-ons, they are central to how FinTech platforms lock users into an expanding bouquet of services, offering a tie-in to lending and banking tools to branded checkout experiences.1) Block’s Q2 2025 earnings presentation noted Cash App’s gross profit rose 16% year over year, driven in large part by Cash App Card, alongside Borrow and BNPL initiatives. Their shareholder letter further emphasizes accelerating user engagement and gross profit per transacting active, up 15%, with 26 million Cash App Card actives. The company has indicated that, as detailed in the latest shareholder letter, debit is holding appeal for younger consumers, as active customers “under the age of 25 have higher Paycheck Deposit attach rates and a 40% higher Cash App Card attach rate compared to the rest of our customer base. 2) Affirm’s Q2 earnings supplement confirms growth in the relatively new Affirm Card, a Visa-issued debit card, with transactions routed via the card versus typical checkout flows. Affirm Card active cardholders surged 97%. Card gross merchandise volume (GMV) grew 132% to $1.2 billion. In-store spending on those cards grew 187% year over year. 3) Klarna’s F-1 report confirms enhancements to the Klarna Card, including real-time transfers and deposits, as part of its U.S. rollout, enhancing the “smarter wallet experience.” Marqeta’s card issuing platform powers the Klarna Card debit card that will allow Klarna customers in the U.S. to use the same card to pay immediately or pay later. The F-1 stated that Klarna Balance, introduced last year, “allows consumers to Pay in Full or make Pay Later payments without connecting a bank account or a credit or debit card and facilitates the growth of cashback.” 4) PayPal’s results indicated that debit card total payment volume across PayPal and Venmo expanded over 60%, and monthly active debit accounts jumped over 65%, reflecting robust adoption as the company added 2 million first-time debit card users in the U.S. 5) LendingClub’s Q2 earnings report highlighted the launch of its LevelUp Checking account, while offering deposit and debit-like capabilities that enhance its lending ecosystem. CEO Scott Sanborn explained that adding checking functionality helps embed LendingClub deeper into consumer financial lives, supporting ecosystem expansion. LevelUp Checking offers customers 2% cash back for on-time loan payments made from this checking account and 1% cash back when using the associated debit card for qualifying purchases, according to company materials.
86% of workers prefer same‑day wages; Amazon, Walmart and Hilton roll out on‑demand pay to cut turnover and absenteeism versus payday‑loan dependence
For drivers, waiting for pay comes at a cost, as 65% of drive share staffers say they’ve had to borrow cash via payday loans, credit card advances, or from friends and/or family, according to a recent survey from Everee, a payroll staffing company. For financially rattled U.S. workers, cash flow is king — which is why more employees are asking, or demanding, to get their wages paid as speedily as possible. Instant Financial’s 2024 Wages and Wellbeing research underscores “fast pay” staff preferences, as 86% of employees said they wanted same-day payments. That’s up from 2022, when 70% of employees reported wanting same-day pay. Bigger corporations are also receiving the “pay faster” message from their staff — and some are accommodating them. Amazon enables warehouse associates to access their paycheck cash daily through a third-party payment platform. Walmart has linked up with payment provider Even to give its 1.4 million employees early access to paychecks. Hilton has aligned with payment provider DailyPay to deliver pay in real time. Leevers Supermarkets provides on-demand pay to its 500 staffers. Payment industry specialists say that consumer payments, in general, have accelerated in every facet of life. Burgeoning employee money management angst has accelerated the push for early pay. “With rising inflation and higher costs for necessities, individuals benefit from more choice and access to their wages and tips.” Otherwise, workers may turn to payday loans or other unfavorable options. “Those options lead to absenteeism and turnover for employers,” Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, an employment pay benefits firm said.