American Payment Companies Paralyzed By Regulatory Concerns, International Payment Companies Take Advantage Of The Window Of Opportunity

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2023

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PayPal and Stripe, the American leaders in payment gateway technologies, are feeling the chill put out by regulators suddenly focused on the cryptocurrency industry. The impact of which may be irreparable harm to PayPal, Stripe, and the greater payment innovation ecosystem in the United States.

Maneuvers by the United States government pertaining to cryptocurrency exchanges have induced a state of inaction among all American firms that are involved in cryptocurrencies or are crypto-adjacent including payment gateway groups. There is rampant speculation about whether there is a path to crypto product-integration which has the approval of the United States government, and whether theres a profitable business to be had within their future regulatory framework.

This uncertainty is reflected in price action by PYPL , down nearly 11% year-to-date with increasing concerns about managements ability tonavigate shrinking marginsand innovate. PayPal and other major American payment gateways like Stripe had a lukewarm approach to cryptocurrency to begin with so in many ways, recent regulatory concerns only validate their concerns.

When PayPal entered cryptocurrency in late 2020, it did so with a heavily-restricted product which merely enabled users to buy, sell, and hold major cryptocurrencies. Although the company eventually allowed off-platform asset transfer in mid-2022, the offering was broadly discredited as superficial involvement in cryptocurrency without a genuine embrace of its ethos.

Similarly, payments powerhouse Stripe has maintained an ambivalent stance towards cryptocurrency. Co-founder Patrick Collison's remarked, "(Bitcoin) may or may not be important in five years," as the company axed cryptocurrency-related initiatives in 2018. Only recently has the company reintroduced fiat-to-crypto services. Yet, amidst the fresh Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions, the blockchain community remains dubious about Stripe's commitment to the sector.

The result of an already-tepid approach being hit with regulatory concerns ahead of what some project may be a difficult macroeconomic environment is a perfect storm which has brought American crypto innovation to a halt.

The United States government's regulatory inaction risks not only stifling innovation in the domestic industry but is alsodamaging to the global perception of American policy regarding financial innovation. The government's focus on classifying cryptocurrencies as securities is driving away companies that could have been leaders in the sector. Its current regulatory stance might not serve or protect the end-user, and could, in fact, damage companies like PayPal and Stripe.

These companies are at risk of being left behind by emerging global players like NOWPayments, which have seized the opportunity to provide a crypto payment gateway with mass compatibility and which opts out of potentially problematic practices including custody.

It is time for the United States government to realize the potential damage it is doing to its profile as an innovation-friendly nation and take bold steps to encourage responsible growth. Failure to do so risks the loss of American leadership in a vital sector, with significant long-term consequences for the economy and society as a whole.

Sports

Brewers first in MLB to clinch playoff spot

Published

1 hour ago

September 14, 2025

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Brewers first in MLB to clinch playoff spot

Associated Press

Sep 13, 2025, 07:36 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

According to MLB, the New York Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday sealed at least a National League wild card for the Brewers as they got ready to play Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The NL Central-leading Brewers own the best record in the majors.

This marks the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Brewers have qualified for the playoffs, though they haven’t won a postseason series since reaching Game 7 of the National League Championship Series in 2018.

They had made a total of two postseason appearances from 1983-2017.

Sports

Georgia Tech stuns Clemson with walk-off FG

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2025

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Georgia Tech stuns Clemson with walk-off FG

ESPN News Services

Sep 13, 2025, 03:34 PM ET

ATLANTA — Aidan Birr made a 55-yard field goal as time expired and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets upset the No. 12 Clemson Tigers on Saturday.

With no timeouts left and the clock running with under 20 seconds to play, the Georgia Tech special teams squad sprinted onto the field and lined up.

And on fourth-and-3, Birr connected and the home crowd rushed the field.

Quarterback Haynes King returned from a lower-body injury that kept him out of Georgia Tech’s Sept. 6 win over Gardener-Webb.

King was 19-for-27 for 216 yards and added 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter for the Yellow Jackets (3-0, 1-0 ACC).

King’s score and the 2-point conversion gave the Yellow Jackets a 21-14 lead.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik had an uneven performance in which he turned the ball over twice — one fumble and one interception.

Klubnik was 15-for-26 for 207 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Wesco early in the second half to give the Tigers a 14-13 lead. Klubnik added 62 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

For the second straight week, Clemson (1-2, 0-1) had to overcome a slow start and halftime deficit.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Sports

Simpson, Williams shine as Tide roll Wisconsin

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2025

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Simpson, Williams shine as Tide roll Wisconsin

Associated Press

Sep 13, 2025, 03:35 PM ET

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ty Simpson threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns, including two to returning star Ryan Williams, and No. 19 Alabama overpowered Wisconsin for the second consecutive year, winning 38-14 on Saturday.

Simpson completed 24 of 29 passes, with two of his misses being drops by Williams and freshman Lotzier Brooks. Williams finished with five receptions for 165 yards after missing last week’s game because of a concussion.

Simpson, who was equally solid last week against Louisiana-Monroe, joined Mac Jones (2020) as the only quarterbacks in school history to complete at least 80% of their passes and throw three TDs in consecutive games.

The Byrant-Denny Stadium crowd erupted as Williams took a screen pass and went 75 yards on the first play of the second half. It gave Williams his first 100-yard game since facing Georgia last September.

Bray Hubbard‘s two interceptions led an Alabama (2-1) defense that held Wisconsin to 209 yards. The Crimson Tide notched four sacks.

Danny O’Neil, subbing for injured Wisconsin starter Billy Edwards Jr., completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards. His 41-yard TD pass to Jayden Ballard was one of the few highlights for the Badgers (2-1). Vinny Anthony II also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score.

The injury-riddled Badgers couldn’t find a rhythm on either side of the ball and have dropped consecutive games to Alabama by a combined score of 80-24, while the Tide have outscored their last two opponents by a combined score of 111-14 following their season-opening loss to Florida State.

Alabama defensive end LT Overton left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury and did not return. He walked to the locker room without assistance.

Wisconsin returns home to face Maryland next Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Alabama gets the week off before opening conference play against No. 6 Georgia.