Payment Expert’s Fintech Unwrapped delivers the latest and developing news that has shaped the sector over the course of the week.
This week, agentic commerce and stablecoin infrastructure took centre stage, as Alipay expanded AI-driven payments and firms including Nium and Paytently integrated stablecoin rails to accelerate cross-border settlement.
Elsewhere, infrastructure investment continued across global markets, with Nuvei launching direct acquiring in Mexico and Revolut outlining long-term plans for a potential public listing as it scales its banking ambitions.
Revolut targets $200bn valuation ahead of long-term IPO plans
Revolut is targeting a valuation of up to $200bn as part of long-term plans for a public listing, though the fintech has indicated it will not pursue an IPO before 2028.
According to investors briefed on the plans, internal discussions have centred on a potential valuation range of $150bn to $200bn, which would mark a significant jump from its most recent $75bn valuation in late 2025. In the near term, the company is reportedly preparing a secondary share sale later this year that could push its valuation beyond $100bn.
The update follows Revolut securing a full UK banking licence, a milestone seen as key to its next phase of growth. The licence enables the firm to take deposits and expand into lending, supporting its push into markets traditionally dominated by incumbent banks.
Alipay expands AI payments to autonomous agents
Alipay has launched a new service enabling AI agents to complete purchases and payments on behalf of users, marking a further step into agentic commerce.
The update builds on its AI Pay product, introduced in 2025, which surpassed 100 million users earlier this year and processed more than 120 million transactions in a single week in February 2026. The new functionality allows so-called “OpenClaw-type” AI agents to execute transactions via voice instruction, with users required to authorise each payment.
The service has been rolled out across Alibaba Cloud’s JVS Claw and Ant Group Digital Technologies’ DTClaw, and is also compatible with third-party agents. Alipay stated that each transaction is protected by multi-layer security controls, including identity verification, user authorisation and a real-time risk management system, alongside its existing compensation programme for unauthorised payments.
Nuvei expands local acquiring footprint with Mexico launch
Nuvei has launched direct acquiring in Mexico, enabling merchants to process card payments locally through its own licensed infrastructure.
The move, announced on 21 April, forms part of the company’s strategy to operate within domestic payment ecosystems rather than relying on cross-border acquiring partners. By processing transactions locally, Nuvei said businesses can improve approval rates, gain greater visibility into transaction data and streamline payment operations through a single platform.
Phil Fayer, Chair & CEO at Nuvei, said: “Commerce is global, but payment performance is local. Our direct acquiring expansion into Mexico advances our Every Payment Everywhere strategy — building infrastructure inside domestic payment ecosystems so customers can scale globally while performing like a local.”
Mexico represents a key growth market, with digital payments volumes exceeding $676bn in 2024 and eCommerce expected to grow at a 24% compound annual rate through 2027. The launch brings Nuvei’s total number of local acquiring markets to more than 50, alongside access to local payment methods such as OXXO Pay and SPEI.
Paytently taps BVNK for stablecoin settlement expansion
Paytently has partnered with BVNK to introduce stablecoin-based settlement and prefunding capabilities for its merchant base, as it looks to enhance cross-border payment flexibility.
The integration enables merchants to access stablecoin on- and off-ramps, allowing them to prefund fiat payouts or receive settlements directly in stablecoins. The companies said the model is designed to reduce reliance on traditional banking rails, where settlement delays can impact liquidity, particularly for high-volume, cross-border businesses.
Paytently, which processes more than €1.5bn annually across 35 countries, stated the move forms part of a broader strategy to combine fiat and digital payment rails within a single platform, as demand grows for faster settlement options across sectors such as iGaming, fintech and ecommerce.
Nium integrates Coinbase to enable USDC cross-border payouts
Nium has integrated Coinbase’s payments infrastructure to enable stablecoin-based cross-border payouts, allowing customers to fund transactions in USDC and convert to fiat within its platform.
The integration, announced on 21 April, embeds stablecoin rails directly into Nium’s payout network, enabling near real-time settlement and reducing the need for prefunded accounts typically required in traditional cross-border payments. Businesses can initiate payouts to contractors and vendors globally, with transactions settled on-chain and reconciled through existing workflows.
Coinbase said the infrastructure supports multi-chain networks and includes fiat on- and off-ramps, forming part of a broader push to position stablecoins as an alternative to legacy international payment rails.
