BNPL regulation is proof that industry and regulators can work together successfully Opinion It’s often argued that government regulation can hamper innovation, growth and competition. However, new regulations on Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), which come into force today, demonstrate that government, regulators and industry can successfully collaborate to improve consumer outcomes, while also supporting retail and tech sectors. Since Clearpay launched in the UK in 2019, we’ve [...]
A £3bn reckoning that will reshape buy now, pay later Regulation Buy now, pay later providers are cheering the arrival of new regulations.In this week’s column Samuel Norman considers how the industry could be reshaped. Five years ago, the government revealed plans to crack down on the buy now, pay later market after an industry review found financial risks posed by the ease with which consumers [...]
Buy now, sell-off later: Where did Klarna’s IPO go wrong? Fintech When Klarna finally kicked off its Wall Street listing in September chatter quickly emerged whether the move would open the floodgates to a fleet of fintech listings. With the likes of Monzo, Zilch, Revolut and Starling all speculated to be eagerly waiting in the wings, all eyes were on the Swedish unicorn as a taster [...]
Klarna delivers $1bn quarter but shareholder returns take beating February 19, 2026 Klarna delivered a record quarter at the end of 2025, with revenue rocketing, but the firm reported a major slump in shareholder returns after its stock price took a bruising following its public debut. The Swedish fintech unicorn notched just north of $1bn (£743m) in revenue, marking a 38 per cent jump year-on-year as active [...]
Clearpay CEO: I welcome buy now pay later regulations February 13, 2026 New FCA rules for buy now, pay later will strengthen, and legitimise, our industry, writes Clearpay CEO Rich Bayer.
Buy now, pay later providers set for £3bn hit in ‘regulatory reset’ February 11, 2026 Providers of buy now, pay later services are set to feel the crunch as the UK’s financial watchdog tightens its regulatory focus on the fast-growing industry. Merchants and lenders are set to take a combined hit of as much as £3bn following the regulation overhaul by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), according to its own [...]
Gen Z are afraid of credit cards. But can you blame them? August 20, 2025 New data has revealed that not only is Gen Z not using credit cards, they're actively afraid. But can we blame them, asks Rich Bayer.
Klarna to revive New York IPO attempt as soon as September July 31, 2025 Swedish fintech Klarna is gearing up for a second swing at a public listing in New York after original plans were derailed by the market meltdown following President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught. The buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant is aiming to launch on the US stock market in September or October if market conditions [...]
Klarna receives regulatory approval to take on Monzo and Revolut July 30, 2025 Swedish fintech Klarna has received an electronic money institution licence from the Financial Conduct Authority, setting the firm up to compete with UK firms Monzo and Revolut. The licence will allow Klarna to offer its 11 million UK customers savings accounts and also pave the way for a debit card launch. Abby Vickers, Klarna’s head [...]
FCA boss: Buy now, pay later regulation is a trade off June 10, 2025 The chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the new clamp down on buy now, pay later (BNPL) regulation would be a “trade off” as he faced a grilling from MPs. Nikhil Rathi, who was reappointed as the regulator’s boss in April, told the Treasury Committee the crackdown would have “beneficiaries and downside [...]