We’re nearing the end of 2025, which was a busy year with the GENIUS Act passing stablecoin regulations, multiple ACH Rules updates, Fedwire® and National Settlement Services (NSS) expanding to Sundays and weekday holidays and other regulatory changes. 2026 promises to be an exciting year for the payments and financial industry. To prepare, here’s a look at the top 10 payments and financial stories to watch for 2026.
1. Last Penny Minted, What’s Next?
On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint struck the final penny, marking the end of the one-cent coin. Although 300 billion pennies exist, coins wear out, are destroyed or lost, which naturally reduces circulation. Retailers are rounding down to avoid legal issues, which may result in potential losses. Pressure may grow on legislatures to formalize rounding rules, as other countries round transactions to the nearest five cents. The real question is: will other coins, like nickels, which cost 14 cents to produce, follow suit? As more places adopt cashless systems, electronic payments continue to rise.
2. New Federal Reserve Chairman in May 2026
The Federal Reserve Chair serves a four-year term and requires Senate confirmation. Early reports suggest Chairman Jerome Powell may not be on the short list of candidates, though a return is possible. If he is indeed replaced, the new Chair’s philosophy will influence interest rate policies and the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate: containing inflation while promoting economic growth. The rumored short list of candidates includes existing Federal Reserve Governors, a former Federal Reserve Board member and outside candidates, potentially shifting policy direction.
3. What’s Next for Instant Payments?
In 2025, both payment rails surpassed 1,000 participants and implemented $10 million limits. Higher limits expand use cases, including potential international adoption. Average wire transfers of $3-4 million can now be processed via The FedNow® Service and the RTP® Network. Future growth in 2026 may include the development of overlay services and apps. ISO 20022 adoption aligns U.S. instant payments with 70+ countries using the same format.
4. Fedwire® and NSS Expansion Guidance
On October 9, 2025, the Federal Reserve Board announced an expansion of Fedwire® and the National Settlement Service (NSS) to include Sundays and weekday holidays, although participation is optional. Questions remain about interactions between opted-in and opted-out institutions. Clarifications on ACH and check processing, including return timelines, are expected before full implementation.
5. Will New ACH Rules Actually Reduce Fraud?
Effective March and June 2026, Nacha’s new ACH Rules will require financial institutions, non-consumer Originators, Third-Party Service Providers and Third-Party Senders to establish and implement new risk-based processes and procedures. This is intended to identify fraud caused by unauthorized activity or inducement by false pretenses, as ACH Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) remains elevated. Even with financial institutions discussing the new rules and possibly implementing them early, fraud is on the rise. Early implementation of these rules may help reduce fraud in 2026.
6. Federal Banking Agencies RFI
In June 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) jointly issued a Request for Information (RFI) on check, ACH, wire and instant payments fraud. The outcomes may inform reforms or establish standardized guidance on fraud for the industry.
7. Stablecoins and the GENIUS Act
Stablecoins, pegged to the U.S. dollar or low-risk assets, gained regulatory clarity under the GENIUS Act. They may serve as a safer form of digital currency for purchases or investments. The public’s adoption and marketing strategies will shape their role in 2026.
8. Changes to the Card Industry
By 2027, Mastercard issuers will no longer be required to issue chip cards that also contain a magnetic stripe; by 2029, new Mastercard cards won’t have a magnetic stripe and by 2033, all Mastercard cards will phase them out, including pre-paid cards. Visa hasn’t issued similar guidance, but may follow. Consider having Near Field Communications (NFC) built into the EMV chip on your issued cards or encouraging more mobile wallets. Your financial institution may need to adjust merchant services, ATMs and NFC-enabled card issuance to maintain seamless transactions.
9. Crypto Institutions and Charters
On October 15, 2025, the OCC conditionally approved the chartering of Erebor Bank, a cryptocurrency-focused financial institution that serves technology and cryptocurrency firms while accepting digital assets as loan collateral. The expedited four-month approval raises questions about future crypto banking charters and regulatory flexibility.
10. Artificial Intelligence in Payments
AI adoption surged in 2025, leading to improvements in processing and operational efficiency. Investments in AI continue, raising questions about productivity gains versus costs. Regardless of the debate over an “AI bubble,” technology will continue to evolve, enhancing payments, research and daily operations.
2026 promises to be a pivotal year for payments. From the end of the penny to AI, stablecoins and instant payments, the industry is evolving rapidly. Watch for future editions of News You Can Use and stay tuned to our Deep Dive, Did You Know and Payments Snapshot videos to stay ahead of the curve, navigate changes, reduce risk and seize new opportunities for your organization.
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Payment Systems Update gives a behind-the-scenes look at what’s ahead in 2026, from instant payments expansion and ACH Rules updates to the newest fraud monitoring guidance. The tour starts in March 2026 — grab your ticket to join us in person or register virtually in April or May to keep your organization in sync with the latest in payments!
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