By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In a strategic shift that marks a pivotal evolution for the world’s most prominent artificial intelligence laboratory, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the hardware market. According to reports surfacing Tuesday, the company is developing a portable, screenless smart speaker designed to function as a sophisticated AI companion. This…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In a significant development for the landscape of American consumer and civil rights advocacy, three high-ranking former enforcement officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have announced the formation of a new public interest law firm. The firm, Halperin Petersen & Mikkilineni LLP (HPM), seeks to fill a…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In an era where the traditional bi-weekly pay cycle is increasingly viewed as an archaic relic of the industrial age, workforce financial infrastructure provider Branch is taking a decisive step toward total modernization. On Tuesday, July 14, the company announced the launch of its "Flex" model—a strategic expansion designed…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 The global smartphone industry is facing its most significant structural crisis in over a decade. According to a report released Monday by Counterpoint Research, global smartphone shipments plummeted in the second quarter of 2026, reaching their lowest level for any second quarter since 2013. This 11% year-over-year decline is…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 Robinhood Markets is reportedly preparing to enter the asset-backed securities (ABS) market, a move that signals a significant maturation of the fintech firm’s credit operations. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company is weighing the sale of between $400 million and $500 million in bonds backed by…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 In a significant milestone for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, Gauntlet Networks, a prominent digital asset risk and optimization firm, has successfully closed a $125 million Series C funding round. The massive injection of capital signals a maturation phase for the industry, as Gauntlet prepares to transition from a…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 In a move that could reshape the landscape of British financial infrastructure, Mastercard is reportedly exploring the potential sale of Vocalink, its U.K.-based retail payments business. The news, first reported by the Financial Times, comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the foreign ownership of critical national payment…
By PYMNTS | July 12, 2026 In a chilling breach of professional ethics that has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity industry, a former ransomware negotiator has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a duplicitous scheme. Angelo Martino, 41, once a trusted consultant tasked with defending organizations during their darkest hours, instead…
By PYMNTS July 10, 2026 In an era where passenger expectations for seamless travel experiences are at an all-time high, Delta Air Lines has emerged as a clear leader in the integration of artificial intelligence and digital self-service. During its June quarter earnings call held Friday, July 10, 2026, the airline’s leadership team reported that…
By PYMNTS | July 10, 2026 In a landmark development for Latin American fintech, Nu Mexico—the Mexican arm of the digital banking giant Nubank—has officially received the green light from the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) to begin operations as a fully licensed bank. This authorization marks the culmination of a rigorous regulatory transition,…
