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Plans for the central bank digital currency (CBDC) are still being refined, but look set to create significant data, governance and interoperability responsibilities for payments firms operating in the EU.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa’s (COMESA) Digital Retail Payments Platform (DRPP) is a landmark step for regional financial integration, enabling payment service providers and banks to expand cross-border services, reduce transaction costs and capture emerging opportunities in 2026 and beyond.

Ghana is preparing for a major shift in its regulatory approach to virtual assets, with the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025 set to introduce a structured, risk-based regulatory framework for virtual asset activities.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) fintech report outlines the country’s readiness to align financial innovation with market-friendly regulations, aiming to create long-term opportunities for digital lenders.

On February 10, 2026, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its legal proceedings, which it had filed on October 21, 2025, against Panama-incorporated crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi Global) for illegal, continued promotion of services to UK consumers.

The European Union’s AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, represents the first comprehensive, binding framework for the development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence across the European Union. Having entered into force on August 1, 2024, the regulation is subject to a phased implementation timetable. While certain provisions are already applicable, the majority of obligations most relevant to the financial services sector are scheduled to apply from 2026. As a result, financial services firms have a narrowing window to assess their AI use cases, align governance frameworks and prepare for supervisory scrutiny.

On February 4, 2026, the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) published its single programming document (SPD) for 2026-2028, its first multi-year plan. Published at a critical juncture in AMLA’s operation, with the institution seeking to deliver upon its core mandates, this analysis will examine the SPD and look at its implications for impacted firms, as well as provide Vixio’s initial response to AMLA’s plans.

Growing geopolitical tensions are forcing countries to reassess their critical national infrastructure, with growing political focus on the sovereignty of domestic payment rails.

In considering linking their central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the BRICS economies are seeking to redesign global financial plumbing to reflect the bloc’s growing weight in the world economy.

On December 23, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an advisory opinion to resolve regulatory uncertainty surrounding the applicability of the definition of “credit” under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and its implementing regulation, Regulation Z, to Earned Wage Access (EWA) products.