💳 JPMorgan Takes Apple Card

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Hey Fintech Explorers—Welcome back to Money Explored, the essential Sunday newsletter to stay ahead in fintech!

The second Sunday of 2026, and the pace already feels familiar: big banks, big tech, and big platforms wasting no time asserting control.

This week, a Wall Street giant muscles into Apple’s credit stack, core fintech infrastructure goes all-in on AI, and commerce edges closer to being fully embedded inside copilots and agents.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• JPMorgan Chase takes over the Apple Card from Goldman Sachs. 💳

• Fiserv deepens its AI push with Microsoft. 🚀

• PayPal brings checkout directly into Copilot. 🛒

Plus: global payments expansion, the digital euro’s next milestone, and fresh dealmaking across Africa, Europe, and private markets.

You’ll also want to keep reading for this week’s sponsor, Google AdSense, and how creators are turning content into predictable revenue with minimal setup.

It’s all happening—and that’s just the start…

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

JPMorgan Takes Over Apple Card from Goldman 💳

The Big Story 📰: JPMorgan Chase is set to become the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs in a strategic move that will bolster the bank's credit card portfolio. This partnership is expected to bring over $20 billion in card balances to JPMorgan's platform and primed to significantly enhance their presence in the competitive credit card market. Although the deal needs regulatory approvals and won’t finalize for about two years, it represents a pivotal shift for both banks. For Goldman, this transition signals a continued withdrawal from consumer banking, as they focus on their core business strategies. Despite the changes, Mastercard will continue as the payment network for the Apple Card.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This transition from Goldman to JPMorgan for the Apple Card marks a significant shift in the landscape of consumer financing. It underscores JPMorgan's aggressive strategy to dominate the credit card market, while also highlighting Goldman's struggles in consumer banking. For fintech enthusiasts and industry professionals, this story underscores the volatility and evolving nature of partnerships in the financial technology sector. The potential for JPMorgan to leverage the Apple Card to attract new customers represents a significant opportunity for innovation and growth, which could lead to competitive advantages in credit offerings.

Fiserv + Microsoft: Supercharging Fintech AI 🚀

The Big Story 📰: Fiserv has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft aimed at accelerating AI-driven innovation within its development platforms. This collaboration allows Fiserv to embed advanced AI tools, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Foundry, throughout its global workforce. By enhancing employee productivity and decision-making, Fiserv aims to deliver smarter solutions to its clients in the financial services sector. The integration of AI capabilities is set to not just improve operations but also transform how Fiserv approaches product development and client interactions, thereby positioning the company for leadership in the competitive fintech landscape.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This collaboration signals a significant shift toward AI being a central component of financial technology operations. For industry professionals, this is a clear indicator that AI capabilities are essential for remaining competitive and relevant in the rapidly evolving fintech market. As Fiserv integrates AI across its offerings, it could serve as a model for other firms looking to enhance their own operational efficiency and client service. The emphasis on responsible, innovative AI use highlights the growing need for fintech companies to adopt advanced technology solutions in order to meet changing consumer demands and regulatory expectations, reshaping the future of financial services.

PayPal Teams with Microsoft for Copilot Checkout 🛒

The Big Story 📰: PayPal and Microsoft are joining forces to launch Copilot Checkout, a groundbreaking addition to Microsoft's Copilot that allows shoppers to browse, decide, and pay seamlessly within the platform. This integration leverages PayPal's robust commerce and payment services to create an AI-powered shopping experience. Merchants can showcase their product catalogs through PayPal's store sync, streamlining transactions and enhancing customer engagement. The collaboration aims to transform the online shopping landscape, connecting high-intent shoppers directly with merchants in a frictionless environment, ultimately shaping the future of intelligent commerce.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The partnership between PayPal and Microsoft represents a significant step towards modernizing the e-commerce experience, making it easier for consumers to shop and for merchants to reach their audience. With increased conversion rates and enhanced customer trust, this initiative highlights the growing trend of integrating AI into commerce. As shoppers enjoy a seamless purchase journey powered by trusted payment options, merchants can capitalize on new opportunities to grow their businesses in a competitive landscape. This collaboration signals the potential for further innovations in commerce as fintech and technology giants reshape consumer purchasing habits.