Welcome to Innovating Payments Top 3 News Headlines for the Week of July 20, 2026.
Late last week, credit unions responded to the National Credit Union Association (NCUA) stablecoin proposal, with many in support, while consumer groups are less enthusiastic.
On the instant payments front, The Clearing House revealed Q2 RTP® volumes reached 142 million with a value of $576 billion. Related, PYMNTS reported 88% of banks see the value in instant business-to-business payments.
Finally, in fintech news, Stripe made a play for PayPal to the tune of $53 billion.
Read on for more.
1. NCUA Stablecoin Proposal Draws Support From Credit Unions, Criticism From Consumer Advocates (CU Times)
NCUA's proposed framework for bringing payment stablecoins into the credit union system is drawing sharply different reactions from industry advocates and consumer groups, highlighting the growing debate over how digital assets should be regulated.
"Credit unions should have the same opportunity as other federally regulated financial institutions to participate in the emerging payment stablecoin market," Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) wrote in its letter to NCUA. (Read more.)
2. 88% of Banks Report Strong ROI With Instant Business Payments (PYMNTS)
According to a new study from PYMNTS, sponsored by The Clearing House, nearly nine in 10 institutions rate the ROI of instant business-to-business (B2B) payments as high or very high, including 82% who note that they don't already offer instant payments. (Read more.)
3. Stripe Makes $53 Billion Play for PayPal (Payments Journal)
Stripe and private equity firm Advent have reportedly made a $53 billion bid to acquire PayPal, a deal that would combine one of fintech's fastest-growing companies with one of digital payments' largest consumer networks.
The acquisition, which has been rumored for months, would rank among the largest fintech deals on record. According to Reuters, Stripe and Advent would share equal ownership of PayPal. (Read more.)
There's no question that the payments landscape is changing on a daily basis, from regulation to new payments to fintech competition. Through its strategic programs, NEACH has your back in responding to these developments in ways that benefit your institution.
To that end, we hope you'll join us for the Future of Payments Symposium, taking place November 2-3, in Newport, R.I. There, you'll hear from industry leaders about what it takes to succeed in today's competitive environment.
And, in the meantime, feel free to reach out to the NEACH team for insights or support; we're here to help you.
NEACH - New England Automated Clearing House Association is a neutral, member-focused advocate. Our role is to give you the intelligence, context, and connections you need to make informed strategic decisions. We bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators so you can evaluate innovation through the lens of your institution’s mission and market strategy. For more information, visit neach.org.
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AUTHOR: Joe Casali, AAP, NCP
Executive Vice President
As the EVP of Payments Innovation for NEACH, Joe focuses on exploring innovative solutions and technologies that will help position members for success, both now and in the future. Connect with Joe to read more of his blogs, articles, and posts.
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