Future of Money
22 articles
US Mint Selects 37 Artists to Shape Future American Coins
The United States Mint has chosen 37 artists, including four new participants, for its 2026 Artistic Infusion Program. Their designs could soon appear on circulating coins, commemoratives, and official medals across the US.
Visa and Nium Test Stablecoin Settlement in Singapore's BLOOM Pilot
Visa and Nium are piloting stablecoin settlements under the Monetary Authority of Singapore's BLOOM initiative, aiming to enable faster cross-border payments even on weekends and public holidays
ADIB Appoints Chief AI Officer to Drive Digital Banking Ambitions
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has named Pedro Uria-Recio as its first chief AI officer, aiming to accelerate responsible AI adoption and support its Vision 2035 strategy for innovation in Islamic banking
Banking Technology Shifts: Saudi Digital Lending and Core Migrations
August 2026 saw major banking technology moves, including Saudi Arabia's GO Telecom entering digital lending, Australia's MoveBank migrating its core, and new investment in UK-based 10x Banking, with implications for payments and cross-border services
Tokenised Deposits, Stripe's $7bn Deal and US Stablecoin Bank Lead Fintech Week
Major fintech developments this week include the first live tokenised deposit on Swift's blockchain ledger, Stripe's $7bn acquisition of OpenRouter, and US approval for a Trump-backed stablecoin trust bank. Executive changes and a $448m bank merger also feature
Fintech Funding, Acquisitions, and AI Trends Reshape Payments in 2026
Major fintech developments this week include new venture capital rounds, strategic acquisitions, and regulatory shifts, with programmable banking and AI-driven services gaining momentum across payments and banking sectors
Banks Hold Only a Fraction of Customer Data as AI Changes Finance
Financial institutions typically see just a small part of a customer's life, while technology companies and digital platforms now collect far more personal data-reshaping who can offer the most relevant financial services
FinovateFall 2026 Showcases Live Fintech Demos in New York
FinovateFall 2026 will bring over 2,000 senior banking and fintech professionals to New York for three days of live demonstrations, expert sessions, and targeted networking, highlighting the latest advances in payments, AI, and digital security.
HSBC and Standard Chartered Settle First Tokenised Deposit on Swift
HSBC and Standard Chartered have executed the first live tokenised deposit transaction using Swift's blockchain ledger, highlighting a new phase in cross-bank digital money interoperability and settlement infrastructure.
Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's CEO Targets Digital Growth in Collectibles
Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's new CEO, Iain Murphy, is steering the historic auction house toward digital integration, international expansion, and new collector markets, with a focus on technology and client experience
How Trust Is Reshaping Banking Amid AI and Digital Pressures
As banks face mounting digital and regulatory demands, trust is being redefined. The industry's ability to adapt to AI, modernize legacy systems, and deliver real value now determines its credibility with clients and partners.
Revolut Gains French Banking Licence as Bunq Faces US Setback
Major developments in global banking this week include Revolut's full French licence, Bunq's US charter rejection, Bank of America's $1.9bn move into India, and a $1.44bn sale of Moneris in Canada, with executive changes at NAB also in focus
Banks Face a Binary Choice: Platform or Pipe by 2032
Banks have until 2027 to decide whether to become customer-focused platforms or efficient product providers, as the industry moves toward a split that will reshape margins, customer relationships, and the economics of banking
Fintech Funding Drives Expansion in Private Credit and Payments
Recent funding rounds are reshaping fintech, with new capital supporting private credit platforms, rent-to-own vehicle solutions, and AI-driven automation for banks and businesses across multiple continents
Polygon Labs Tests Digital Pound Settlement in Bank of England Lab
Polygon Labs is working with the Bank of England's Digital Pound Lab to test how a digital pound and stablecoins could settle cross-border payments, aiming to improve speed and efficiency for international business transactions
Maybank Joins MAS BLOOM Project to Trial Tokenised Settlements
Maybank Group is partnering with the Monetary Authority of Singapore's BLOOM initiative to test tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins, aiming to offer new alternatives to traditional correspondent banking in cross-border payments
AI Agents Challenge Human Accountability in Financial Services
As AI agents begin to initiate tasks in banking and payments, financial institutions must rethink how authority, supervision, and responsibility are structured across their organizations
BRICS Weigh Cross-Border Payment Links and Digital Currency Integration
BRICS countries are considering ways to connect their fast payment systems and central bank digital currencies, aiming to lower cross-border transaction costs and improve efficiency for businesses and consumers
Wells Fargo to Launch Tokenised Deposits for USD-GBP Payments
Wells Fargo is preparing to introduce a blockchain-based service for corporate clients, enabling cross-border and account-to-account payments in US dollars and British pounds using tokenised deposits, with broader expansion planned for 2027
Visa Moves to Acquire BioCatch as TMX Group Reshapes US Markets
Visa's planned $2.4 billion acquisition of BioCatch and TMX Group's $800 million investment in MEMX highlight a week of major fintech deals, regulatory fines, and new banking ventures with global implications for payments and compliance
History and Present Condition of the Swedish Krona: From the Riksdaler to Modern SEK
The Swedish krona grew out of centuries of copper, silver, paper money and riksdaler reforms before becoming Sweden’s national currency in 1873. This detailed guide follows SEK through the Scandinavian Monetary Union, the 1992 currency crisis, inflation targeting, the 2003 euro referendum and the increasingly digital Swedish payment system of 2026.
History of the Chinese Yuan: From Ancient Coinage to the Modern Renminbi
The Chinese yuan stands at the end of one of the world’s longest monetary histories, stretching from cowrie shells and bronze cash coins to paper money, silver dollars and the modern renminbi. This detailed guide explains the reforms, political crises and monetary institutions that shaped China’s currency, including the creation of the RMB in 1948, the 1955 redenomination and the development of the digital yuan.