Visa stories

Google launches a Universal Commerce Protocol and Business Agent tools as it bets on AI agents to drive the next era of online shopping.

Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol to link AI shopping agents, retailers and payments in a new ‘agentic commerce’ push.

SmartRecruiters crowns “The Orchestrator” Job Title of the Year as employers prioritise coordination roles in AI-driven, fragmented workplaces.

iGoDirect enters New Zealand with instant web‑to‑wallet Visa rewards, aiming to replace plastic gift cards in corporate loyalty schemes.

Finance Now will launch New Zealand’s first open loop Visa-powered fleet card in 2026, backed by Brazilian payments platform Pismo.

Ecommpay has been shortlisted for four FStech 2025 awards, underlining its role in driving innovation, security and inclusion in payments.

CelcomDigi and Vircle launch SafePAY Jr, a prepaid card and e-wallet with parental controls to teach kids cashless, safer spending.

Airwallex has named James Teodorini Head of ANZ to spearhead growth in Australia and New Zealand after hitting USD $235 billion in volume.

AI tools and online deals help drive a 5% rise in Australian Christmas retail spending, with discount and department stores surging.

Visa teams with Akamai on new protocol to verify AI shopping agents, tackling a 300% surge in bot traffic and rising eCommerce fraud risks.

Bhutan’s Drukair has picked Worldpay as its new global payment gateway to cut cross-border declines and streamline online bookings.

Akamai and Visa are teaming up to secure AI shopping agents, blending edge security with payment checks to tackle fraud in agentic commerce.

Ecommpay secures full Digital Accessibility Centre approval as its redesigned website and product pages meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

Australian SMEs step up a campaign against the RBA’s proposed blanket ban on card surcharges, warning it will lift prices for all shoppers.

By 2026, Singapore's payments will become more personal, portable and purposeful, with AI-driven security and mobile solutions reshaping retail experiences.

Visa has completed the UK's first commercial variable recurring payment using its A2A account-to-account solution with Kroo, Tink, and Utilita.

Bluwhale launches AI-powered Stablecoin Agent to manage digital dollars as stablecoin market tops $300bn, aiming to boost individual investor returns.

GCash launches PocketPay with BPC to enable contactless Visa and Mastercard payments on Android devices, aiding 6 million Philippine businesses go cashless.

Constantinople teams up with Paymentology to enhance Banking-as-a-Service in Australia, boosting card issuing and payment tech for local banks and fintechs.

Visa has expanded its Intelligent Commerce framework in Asia Pacific, introducing new AI-driven payment security protocols for agentic commerce starting early 2026.