Core Viewpoint - Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ:FISV) is considered one of the best FinTech stocks to buy in 2026, with a Hold consensus rating and an average 12-month price target of $121, indicating a potential upside of approximately 76% from recent trading levels [1]. Group 1: Market Outlook - The outlook for Fiserv is mixed, with analyst targets ranging from the low $60s to the $250s, reflecting varying levels of confidence regarding the company's near-term execution and long-term potential [1]. - Investor focus heading into 2026 is likely to center on Fiserv's ability to maintain operational execution while managing legal and reputational risks in a competitive payments landscape [3]. Group 2: Legal Challenges - Fiserv is currently facing legal scrutiny related to its technology and security practices, with a lawsuit filed by Self-Help Credit Union alleging misrepresentation of security protocols, including two-factor authentication [2]. - The lawsuit is in its early stages, and the outcome remains uncertain, which could impact the company's reputation and operational stability [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Fiserv, Inc. is a global payments and financial technology company that offers a wide range of solutions, including account processing, digital banking, card issuer processing, network services, payments, e-commerce, merchant acquiring, and the Clover point-of-sale platform [3].

Core Insights - Visa estimates that approximately $11 trillion in cash remains in circulation globally, indicating the persistent role of physical money in daily commerce and the potential for digital payment growth [1][2][3] Digital Payment Trends - The transition towards digital payments is evident, with predictions that by 2026, half of the world's total consumer payments will be made using card credentials [3] - Mobile wallets are becoming increasingly popular, accounting for 35% of online transactions and 21% of in-store transactions across 11 major economies [6] - Faster payment systems in emerging markets, such as Brazil's Pix and India's Unified Payments Interface, are effectively reducing reliance on cash by providing immediate and low-cost alternatives [8][9] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are moving away from cash primarily for convenience, as mobile wallets facilitate quicker transactions through tap-to-pay or scan-based methods [10] - Security concerns regarding digital payments are being addressed through advancements like tokenization and biometric authentication, shifting the perception of safety from cash to digital transactions [11] Demographic Variations - The decline in cash usage is uneven across different regions and demographics, with tech-savvy consumers leading the shift away from physical money [12][13] - Consumers deeply embedded in connected technology ecosystems are 34% less likely to use cash compared to three years ago, while those with fewer connected devices continue to rely on cash more frequently [13][14] Future Outlook - The substantial amount of cash still in circulation highlights the ongoing relevance of physical money, yet the trend towards digital payments is clear, driven by consumer demand for speed, convenience, and security [15]

RT Jeremy Allaire - jda.eth / jdallaire.sol (@jerallaire)Excited about the announcement with LianLian Global, one of the largest payments and cross border firms in Asia. Innovating around USDC, Arc and CPN and broad use cases on global treasury and settlement. ...

Core Insights - Nuvei has received approval to operate under the European Union's new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, allowing it to offer regulated crypto-asset services throughout the EU [2][4] - The approval includes a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license and a Payment Institution license, enabling Nuvei to support crypto-asset, electronic money tokens (EMTs), and fiat-based payment and settlement flows through a unified platform [2][4] Group 1 - The CASP license allows Nuvei to provide services such as crypto storage, administration, transfers, and the exchange of crypto assets into funds, integrated into its global payments infrastructure [3] - This regulatory framework facilitates easier deployment of crypto-enabled payment and settlement capabilities for merchants and platforms across multiple European markets [2] - Nuvei's CEO emphasized that this authorization is a significant milestone in the integration of payments and digital assets, enhancing customer confidence in moving value across different payment systems [4] Group 2 - The emergence of stablecoins is highlighted as a critical layer for B2B transactions, with recent regulations in the U.S. and EU shaping the blockchain infrastructure [5] - There are misconceptions regarding stablecoins, particularly the belief that they can resolve all issues related to cross-border payments, which may not always be the case [6] - The focus should be on identifying where stablecoins can outperform traditional payment systems rather than merely following trends [7]

Core Viewpoint - Visa (V) stock is considered a strong buying opportunity due to high margins and cash generation ability at a discounted price, indicating consistent and predictable profits which lower risk and allow for capital reinvestment [1] Company Performance - Visa's stock has increased by 10% year-to-date but is 35% cheaper based on its Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio compared to one year ago [3] - Visa's Q4 2025 results showed steady global transaction growth, with cross-border volumes up 12% and processed transactions increasing by 10% [4] - A 25% increase in value-added services supports Visa's fee-based revenue model, and partnerships like Orange Money and USDC stablecoin settlement are expanding its network [5] - Management anticipates continued low double-digit revenue growth for fiscal year 2026 [5] Financial Fundamentals - Visa has strong fundamentals, with an operating cash flow margin of nearly 57.6% and an operating margin of 66.4% for the last twelve months [11] - Long-term profitability averages show approximately 58.9% operating cash flow margin and 66.8% operating margin over the last three years [11] - Revenue growth for Visa was 11.3% for the last twelve months and 10.9% over the last three years, although it is not classified as a growth story [11] - The stock is currently available at a P/S multiple of 11.0, representing a 35% discount compared to one year ago [11] Investment Criteria - Visa meets several investment criteria, including a market cap exceeding $10 billion, high cash flow from operations margins, and a significant decline in valuation over the past year [12] - The average 12-month forward returns for stocks meeting these criteria are nearly 19%, with a win rate of about 72% [12]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. has launched USDC settlement in the U.S., marking a significant step in its stablecoin settlement pilot program aimed at modernizing its settlement layer for commerce [1] - The initiative allows U.S. issuer and acquirer partners to settle transactions using Circle's USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin [1] - Initial banking partners include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, with plans for broader availability in the U.S. by 2026 [1][2] Group 1: USDC Settlement Features - USDC settlement enables faster funds movement over blockchains, with seven-day availability and enhanced operational resilience during weekends and holidays [1] - Visa's monthly stablecoin settlement volume surpassed a $3.5 billion annualized run rate as of November 30, 2023, indicating significant growth since Visa began settling transactions in stablecoins [2] - Visa's U.S. stablecoin settlement framework includes modernized liquidity and treasury management, allowing automated treasury operations for bank participants [4] Group 2: Partnerships and Technological Integration - Visa is collaborating with Circle on Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to support Visa's global commercial activities on-chain [1] - Early banking partners highlight the benefits of API-driven settlement experiences, with Lead Bank emphasizing the importance of seven-day settlements and clearer liquidity timing for clients [3] - Visa Consulting & Analytics has launched a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions in navigating the evolving landscape of stablecoin integration [3]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is modernizing payment systems by introducing USDC-based settlements for U.S. institutions, allowing select partners to settle obligations using Circle's dollar-backed stablecoin alongside traditional fiat methods [1][4] - The initiative aims to enhance speed and availability, enabling fund movement across blockchains seven days a week, which can compress settlement cycles and improve liquidity efficiency for banks and fintech companies [2][5] - Visa's monthly stablecoin settlement volumes have surged to an annualized rate of over $3.5 billion as of November 30, 2025, indicating strong momentum in this area [3][9] Visa's Strategic Developments - The U.S. rollout of USDC settlements builds on previous stablecoin pilots and reflects Visa's strategic pivot to bridge traditional financial systems with blockchain infrastructure [4][5] - Visa has launched a global Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions in navigating the evolving stablecoin market [4] - Visa plans to utilize Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed for high performance and scalability, to support USDC settlements and strengthen its position in the blockchain ecosystem [3][9] Market Performance - Over the past year, Visa's shares have increased by 8.7%, contrasting with a 9.9% decline in the industry [8] - Visa currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with better-ranked stocks in the business services sector including OppFi Inc., FirstCash Holdings, and Dave Inc., all rated 1 (Strong Buy) [10]

Core Viewpoint - Circle Internet Group, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LianLian Global to explore the expansion of USDC stablecoin usage in cross-border payments [1][2] Group 1: Modernizing Cross-Border Payment Infrastructure - The partnership aims to assess how USDC can facilitate faster and more resilient transactions in high-volume international payment flows [3] - The initiative seeks to upgrade treasury and settlement processes to reduce friction in cross-border payments and enhance reliability for merchants operating in various jurisdictions and currencies [3] Group 2: Driving Efficiency and Interoperability - The agreement focuses on improving cost efficiency and streamlining settlement processes for merchants and platforms, addressing issues with traditional cross-border payments that involve multiple intermediaries and delayed settlement times [4] - Circle and LianLian Global will explore how stablecoin rails can simplify payment flows, allowing for near real-time settlement and improved transparency [4] Group 3: Expanding Access in Emerging Markets - The collaboration aims to identify opportunities in emerging markets where digital payment solutions can enhance access and economic participation [5] - Stablecoins are increasingly viewed as a means to improve financial inclusion by lowering barriers to entry and enabling faster, more affordable cross-border transactions [5] Group 4: Working with Regulated Financial Institutions - The partnership aligns with Circle's strategy of collaborating with regulated financial institutions and licensed payment providers as stablecoins become more integrated into global financial systems [7] - The agreement reflects Circle's commitment to building open and interoperable financial infrastructure tailored to modern commerce needs in Asia and beyond [7] Group 5: LianLian Global's Role - LianLian Global operates across key international trade corridors, serving millions of merchants, particularly in e-commerce and cross-border trade [8]

Core Insights - Nuvei has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), allowing it to operate within a harmonized regulatory framework for crypto assets across the European Union [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The MiCAR license enables Nuvei to provide regulated crypto-asset services and to passport these services across EU member states under a single regulatory regime, simplifying expansion for merchants and platforms [2][4]. - Nuvei can offer services such as cryptocurrency storage, administration, transfers, and the exchange of crypto-assets into funds, integrated into its global payments infrastructure [3][4]. Group 2: Business Impact - The authorization allows Nuvei to support both business clients and retail consumers, providing accessible crypto services for retail users and efficient settlement solutions for business customers [5]. - The combined capabilities of the MiCAR and Payment Institution licenses enable Nuvei to facilitate crypto-asset, electronic money tokens (EMT), and fiat-based payment flows through a unified platform [4][5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Nuvei is focused on building infrastructure for payments globally, offering modular and scalable technology that supports next-generation payments, card issuing, banking, risk, and fraud management services [6]. - The company connects businesses to customers in over 200 markets, with local acquiring in 50 markets, 150 currencies, and more than 720 alternative payment methods [6].

Group 1 - Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) experienced a 10% increase in stock price, closing at $83, following Visa's announcement to allow US banks to transact using USDC stablecoins [1][3] - Visa's adoption of USDC is expected to enhance transaction speed, operational resilience, and provide seven-day availability for fund transactions without altering the consumer card experience [2][5] - Initial banking participants, including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, have begun settling transactions with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain, with broader availability planned through 2026 [3][4] Group 2 - Visa's global head of growth products stated that financial institutions are seeking faster, programmable settlement options that integrate with existing treasury operations, which USDC settlement will provide [4][5] - Circle Internet Group has partnered with Visa for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to support Visa's global commercial activities on-chain [6]