Regulation and compliance
Licensing, EU and UK rules, registers and warning lists.
14 pages
Guide · Cards3D Secure explained: EMV 3DS 2, SCA and exemptionsHow EMV 3-D Secure works: the data flow, frictionless vs challenge, the SCA rules behind it and the EU exemptions, explained in plain English.Updated 3 November 2026 · 10 min read
CircleCompany profile · CryptoCircle review: products, technology and pricing (2026)How Circle's stablecoin stack works: USDC and EURC issuance, CCTP crosschain transfers, Wallets APIs, Gateway, the Arc blockchain and 2026 launches.Updated 3 November 2026 · 7 min read
Company profile · CryptoCoinbase review: products, pricing and markets (2026)Coinbase licences in the US, EU and UK, its products, fee model and regulatory record, checked against regulator registers on 3 November 2026.Updated 3 November 2026 · 7 min read
Guide · CardsHow card payments work: authorisation to settlementWho does what in a card payment: issuer, acquirer and scheme, plus authorisation, clearing, settlement, interchange caps and chargebacks.Updated 3 November 2026 · 9 min read- Guide · CryptoHow stablecoin payments work: issuers, chains, settlementHow a stablecoin payment moves from wallet to merchant: issuers and reserves, blockchains, on and off-ramps, fiat settlement and the MiCA basics.Updated 3 November 2026 · 7 min read
Guide · RegulationHow to check a financial licence on a regulator's registerStep by step: check a PSP, EMI, broker or crypto firm on the regulator's own register, match the legal entity and permissions, and screen for clone firms.Updated 3 November 2026 · 8 min read
IGCompany profile · Forex and CFDsIG review: products, pricing and markets (2026)IG's UK, Swiss and South African entities, retail loss figures, spread betting and CFD costs, and client money rules, from IG's own disclosures.Updated 3 November 2026 · 6 min read
Regulation · RegulationMiCA explained: CASP licences, stablecoins, key datesWhat the EU's MiCA regulation covers, how CASP authorisation works, the stablecoin categories and why transitional periods ended on 1 July 2026.Updated 3 November 2026 · 8 min read
Guide · Open bankingOpen banking payments explained: UK and EU rulesHow open banking and account-to-account payments work in the UK and EU: PSD2, PISPs and AISPs, the CMA Order, VRPs, SCA and the latest usage data.Updated 3 November 2026 · 10 min read
Guide · GatewaysPayment gateway vs PSP vs acquirer: who does whatA gateway moves payment data, an acquirer contracts with the merchant and settles funds, and PSP is the umbrella legal term. How the roles differ.Updated 3 November 2026 · 7 min read
Plus500Company profile · Forex and CFDsPlus500 review: products, pricing and markets (2026)Plus500's licences by entity, CFD fees, US futures charges and FCA history, checked against Plus500's own disclosures and FCA documents.Updated 3 November 2026 · 6 min read
Regulation · RegulationPSD3 and PSR explained: status and changes (Nov 2026)Where the EU's PSD3 directive and Payment Services Regulation stand in November 2026, and what changes for payment and e-money institutions.Updated 3 November 2026 · 9 min read
Guide · Open bankingReal-time payments explained: SEPA Instant to Pix (2026)How instant payment rails work: SEPA Instant, UK Faster Payments, FedNow, RTP and Pix compared, with operator figures and what they mean for merchants.Updated 3 November 2026 · 9 min read
XTBCompany profile · Forex and CFDsXTB review: products, pricing and markets (2026)XTB's Polish, UK and Cyprus licences, retail loss figures, stock and CFD costs and the xStation platform, checked against XTB's own disclosures.Updated 3 November 2026 · 5 min read