The Green Sheet Online Edition
February 9, 2026 • 26:02:01
Letter from the editor
For years, artificial intelligence in payments has been framed as a tool that speeds decisions, reduces friction and automates routine tasks. But a deep shift is underway. As autonomous AI agents begin transacting on behalf of humans, the industry is being pushed to rethink not just intelligence, but trust itself.
In this issue’s lead article, we explore agentic commerce at this more mature stage, where AI moves from supporting decisions to executing them, and where trust becomes continuous rather than transactional.
The discussion moves beyond novelty, hype and prior limitations to examine how orchestration, identity and behavioral verification must evolve together if agentic systems are to operate safely at scale. The future of commerce will not rely on automation alone; it will hinge on systems designed for intelligence and trust to work as one.
To remain relevant in this evolving environment, one expert contributor believes, banks need to embed payments orchestration, data intelligence and finance directly into the B2B marketplaces now transforming financial services.
Other featured industry leaders speak to how POS systems are becoming security tools, helping merchants reduce conflict, deter theft and protect staff; what ISOs must understand before expanding abroad so they can minimize hurdles arising when familiar acquiring rules collide with regional requirements; ways in which alternative finance and crypto are evolving alongside the Federal Reserve to keep money moving amid economic uncertainty; and the practical, legal and emotional questions now arising with the U.S. penny's retirement.
This issue’s news coverage captures a payments industry operating at full throttle. We report on new research showing digital payments now generate more than $350 billion in annual U.S. economic output, supporting millions of jobs and giving small businesses faster paths to scale.
At the same time, enforcement actions underscore that compliance failures can resurface years later, with regulators signaling they will pursue accountability aggressively.
We also examine how merchants are grappling with surcharging amid shifting consumer expectations. On Capitol Hill, debate over credit card routing continues to polarize lawmakers and industry stakeholders. And federal authorities’ takedown of large-scale skimming operations highlights both persistent vulnerabilities and the value of proactive fraud prevention.
Other features herein include new product and spotlight profiles, updates on industry milestones, a look back at the industry a decade ago, and other resources designed to inspire you. Please send your comments to greensheet@greensheet.com, and send your latest news to press@grensheet.com. 
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