Visa and Mastercard Reportedly Want to Run Stablecoins, Not Fight Them. Here's What It Means for Investors.

Visa and Mastercard are reportedly in talks with Stripe and potentially Coinbase to launch a joint stablecoin platform, rather than fighting the technology. With $303 billion in dollar-linked stablecoins dominated by Tether and USDC, the payment giants are leveraging their network effects and regulatory clarity from the Genius Act to capture market share in this emerging sector.

06/19/2026, 8:04 AM • The Motley Fool

What Makes Credit Card Networks Such Durable Money Machines

Visa and Mastercard are described as exceptional money machines due to their dominant market positions, high profit margins (51-64%), and minimal capital requirements. The article highlights their resilience through economic growth, the secular shift toward cashless transactions, and inflation benefits. Both stocks trade at P/E ratios of 29 with analysts expecting double-digit earnings growth through 2028, though shares have recently declined from their peaks.

06/18/2026, 5:10 AM • The Motley Fool

World Cup Economics: How Much Boost Could The US Get?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup beginning in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is projected to add 0.6% to U.S. GDP and 0.4% to global GDP. Bank of America estimates $11.1 billion in direct spending from 5.2 million attendees, with 1.2 million international visitors. The tournament is expected to generate 824,000 full-time-equivalent jobs globally and boost sectors including travel, lodging, payments, media, and sports betting.

06/11/2026, 10:12 AM • Benzinga

Why Circle Internet Group Stock Tumbled Today

Circle Internet Group's stock fell nearly 11% after reports that Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, and potentially Coinbase are developing a competing stablecoin platform. While this represents significant competition to Circle's USDC stablecoin, the article notes that USDC's established market position may make it difficult to unseat.

06/03/2026, 7:08 PM • The Motley Fool

3 Outstanding Dividend Stocks to Buy on the Dip and Hold for 10 Years

The article recommends three dividend stocks as attractive long-term investments despite recent declines: Walmart, Visa, and Mastercard. Walmart's stock dropped after missing Q2 guidance but remains a strong pick due to competitive pricing, growing e-commerce (up 26% YoY), and its Dividend King status. Visa and Mastercard face regulatory headwinds but maintain their payment network duopoly with significant growth runways in developing markets and e-commerce, supported by strong free cash flow generation.

06/03/2026, 6:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Mastercard Names Asia-Pacific Chief Ling Hai As Next CFO

Mastercard announced major leadership changes effective August 3, with Ling Hai becoming CFO and Sachin Mehra transitioning to chief business officer. Despite the reorganization aimed at strengthening customer engagement and growth, the stock remains under technical pressure, trading near the lower end of its 52-week range and down 17.9% over the past year. Premarket trading showed minimal movement at $478.06, up 0.08%, as investors await the company's earnings update on July 30, 2026.

06/03/2026, 6:14 AM • Benzinga

Berkshire Hathaway Made Some Major Portfolio Moves, but This One Was a Head-Scratcher. How Should Investors Take It?

Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13F filing reveals significant portfolio changes under new CEO Greg Abel, including exits from Visa, Mastercard, UnitedHealth Group, and Amazon. Most notably, Berkshire purchased 39.8 million shares of Delta Air Lines worth $3.28 billion, marking its return to the airline industry after previous losses during COVID-19. The move signals new management implementing different strategies, with Delta trading at attractive valuations below 10x earnings.

06/03/2026, 3:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Stablecoins Are Coming for Cross-Border Payments. Is Remitly a Winner or a Loser?

Remitly has experienced rapid growth with its customer base expanding from 2.8M to 9.3M users and revenue jumping to $1.64B, but faces an existential threat from stablecoins like USDT and USDC that offer faster, cheaper cross-border transfers. While Remitly currently maintains a competitive advantage through its 'last mile' integration with local payment systems, major payment platforms like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are increasingly integrating stablecoins, which could disrupt Remitly's business model and justify its current undervalued stock price.

06/02/2026, 6:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Payments Stocks in the Stablecoin Era: 3 to Buy and 1 to Avoid

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are well-positioned to thrive in the stablecoin era by integrating stablecoins into their existing networks while maintaining consumer protections and merchant ubiquity. PayPal, however, faces greater vulnerability as stablecoins undermine its transaction-based revenue model and lower barriers to entry in digital payments, making it a stock to avoid unless its turnaround efforts succeed.

05/29/2026, 1:20 PM • The Motley Fool

Warren Buffett's Successor, Greg Abel, Just Sold UnitedHealth Group Stock. Is He Missing a Huge Opportunity?

Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, sold the company's entire 5.1 million-share stake in UnitedHealth Group in Q1 2026 as part of portfolio spring cleaning. While UnitedHealth shares have rallied over 40% since the sale, the author argues Abel made the right call given the stock's valuation risks and the company's ongoing turnaround challenges. Berkshire also exited positions in Amazon, Domino's, Mastercard, and Visa while increasing stakes in Alphabet and adding new positions in Delta Airlines and Macy's.

05/27/2026, 3:32 PM • The Motley Fool

Berkshire Hathaway Still Has Not Sold Its Bank of America Stake. Here's What That Tells Long-Term Investors.

Under new CEO Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway exited positions in Visa, Mastercard, and Amazon in Q1 2026, but maintained its large Bank of America stake (8% of portfolio, fourth-largest holding). The decision signals Berkshire's preference for fairly-valued traditional banks offering stability and income over expensive fintech companies, suggesting value-focused investing strategy.

05/27/2026, 12:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Payment Gateway Market Opportunity Report 2026: Drivers, Trends, and Forecasts 2025-2035 - Growing Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration and Emerging Markets with Underbanked Populations

The global payment gateway market is projected to grow from USD 32.7 billion in 2025 to USD 116.7 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 14.1%. Growth is driven by rapid digital payment adoption, e-commerce expansion, mobile penetration, and increasing demand for secure transactions. Hosted payment gateways lead with 52.3% market share, while card-based payments capture 47%. Key opportunities include blockchain integration and emerging markets with underbanked populations.

05/25/2026, 5:36 AM • GlobeNewswire

A New Social Security Payment Change Will Affect 3.6 Million Beneficiaries This Summer

The Social Security Administration is transitioning 3.6 million Direct Express prepaid debit card users from Comerica Bank to Fifth Third Bank following their merger. Existing cardholders will receive new Fifth Third Bank debit cards over the summer, while new beneficiaries will automatically receive cards through Fifth Third Bank. Beneficiaries are advised to update their contact information and consider switching to direct deposit if they have a bank account.

05/25/2026, 12:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Why American Express Is Still a Top Buffett Stock After All These Years

American Express remains one of Berkshire Hathaway's top three holdings despite the conglomerate trimming other stocks from its portfolio. The credit card company's closed-loop business model, premium brand positioning targeting high-net-worth individuals, and superior credit quality distinguish it from competitors Visa and Mastercard, which Berkshire sold entirely in Q1. Amex cardholders spend significantly more per transaction ($150 vs. $91-94 for competitors), enabling higher merchant fees and strong shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks.

05/23/2026, 9:32 AM • The Motley Fool

3 Dividend Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

The article recommends three dividend stocks positioned to become Dividend Kings: Mastercard benefits from global payment digitalization with 14 years of consecutive dividend growth averaging 10-15% annually; Microsoft has 24 years of dividend growth with over 10% annual increases and room to raise payouts further; Philip Morris International has diversified into smoke-free products with 18 years of consecutive dividend growth and potential for mid-single-digit future growth.

05/22/2026, 9:30 PM • The Motley Fool