The acquiring industry has long focused on payments, yet its data holds untapped potential for trade intelligence. By integrating SKU-level information, country-of-origin data, and tariff schedules, acquirers could offer merchants tools to model “landed cost” scenarios.  This would show how tariffs affect profit margins or pricing strategies. Think of it as a new kind of risk dashboard, where payment analytics meet supply-chain foresight.

Ramp surpassing $1 billion in annualized revenue is a milestone not just for corporate cards, but for the broader trend of embedded commercial credit woven into merchant ecosystems. On the crypto side, Kraken’s $500 million raise and ZeroHash’s $104 million round show investor conviction in custody and exchange services that will inevitably intersect with merchant acceptance and settlement. And if Tether succeeds in raising $15–20 billion at a $500 billion valuation, it could accelerate the adoption of stablecoin settlement in acquiring portfolios.

It is a program that will define how merchants and payment processors can reduce interchange costs by adhering to Visa’s new data standards. Visa will now require merchants to be validated for the integrity and accuracy of their data passed when a commercial card is being used (B2B transactions) to benefit from the savings. Generally speaking, the metrics Visa is looking for are sales tax information (Level 2) and product information (Level 3).

Big news in payments innovation: Mastercard and Basis Theory have announced a strategic partnership designed to advance agentic commerce.  A significant next-generation approach that combines AI-driven intelligence with secure, flexible payment infrastructure. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in shaping how businesses and consumers will interact in a more personalized, efficient, and secure commerce environment.

In payments, growth often comes down to connections and relationships. We are engaged in a complex and sensitive business. Linking the right merchants with the right platforms, matching risk appetite with the right compliance framework, and aligning strategy with the right technology are all vitally important for success. At RPY Innovations, we’ve spent more than 15 years helping acquirers, payment facilitators, ISVs, and merchants make those connections with confidence.

Companies processing B2B transactions need to pay close attention to Visa's upcoming changes with the introduction of the Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP).

Every few years in payments, the industry seems to decide that the Payment Facilitator model is “over.” Headlines appear, whispers spread at conferences, and new buzzwords try to take center stage. Yet here we are in 2025 — and PayFac is not only alive, it’s evolving.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has transformed from a niche checkout option to a mainstream payment method.  Especially among younger generations. Its appeal is obvious: no interest, quick approvals, and the ability to spread costs over time. In 2024, nearly one in four Americans had used BNPL, double the adoption rate just a few years earlier.

A recent U.S. District Court ruling in North Dakota has shaken up the debit-card world. The court struck down the Federal Reserve’s 2011 Regulation II rule on “swipe fees” (a phrase I loathe), saying the Fed went too far when it allowed certain extra costs, like fraud prevention, to be baked into the cap.

The discourse around Agentic Commerce is fixated on the front-end—the conversational prowess of the AI. While fascinating, this focus is a distraction. For FinTech leaders, the most critical work isn't in training the agent, but in rebuilding the financial plumbing that will enable it to act.

Blockchain-based games and NFTs are blurring the lines between entertainment and investment. Players can now earn, trade, and own in-game items with real-world value. Using a crypto wallet to buy a rare sword or skin isn’t just about gameplay, it’s about building digital equity.