January 23, 2026 – SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc. (“SMKG”), a global PayTech, FinTech and Blockchain enabler solutions provider, today issued a statement following the announcement that Capital One Financial Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brex in a transaction valued at $5.15 billion.
The acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the financial technology sector, underscoring the accelerating value of integrated banking agreements and single‑channel technology platforms. SMKG welcomes this development as a clear market benchmark that validates the strategic importance,and valuation, of enterprise‑grade digital banking infrastructure.
SMKG:OTC Positioned Beyond the Benchmark
While the Brex transaction highlights the value of a single-channel corporate card and spend‑management platform, SMKG’s portfolio extends far beyond this scope. SMKG delivers a multi‑rail, multi‑channel ecosystem of interoperable technologies that serve banks, payment networks,digital assets, merchants, governments, and enterprise clients globally.
SMKG’s platforms span:
- Digital Banking & Wallet Infrastructure
- EMV, QR, and Tokenized Payments
- Marketplace Commerce & Retail Enablement
- AI‑Driven Risk, KYC, and Transaction Intelligence
- Cross‑Border Remittance & Settlement Rails
- Blockchain‑Enabled Identity and Asset Management
- Token Issuance of Real-World Assets
Global Reach and Strategic Partnerships
SMKG’s strength is amplified by its extensive network of international partnerships, including:
- Global banks and acquiring institutions
- Visa program partners and enablement channels
- India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for UPI and RuPay integrations
- Regional payment processors and telecom operators across the globe
- Government and enterprise digital transformation initiatives
- Digital Assets and Blockchain enablement
These alliances position SMKG not only as a technology provider but as a strategic enabler of national‑scale and cross‑border financial ecosystems.
A Market Ready for Consolidation—and SMKG Ready for Scale
“We anticipated that a major financial institution would make a decisive move in this space,” said Massimo Barone, CEO of SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc. “The Capital One–Brex transaction now provides a clear comparable for valuing banking agreements and single‑channel technology platforms. By contrast, SMKG delivers a far broader suite of interoperable technologies with global deployment capability. This event validates the market and reinforces the value of what we’ve built and commercialized.”
Barone added: “Our platforms are designed for scalability, compliance, and rapid deployment across multiple jurisdictions. With our global partnerships and multi‑rail architecture, SMKG is positioned well above the single‑channel model that this acquisition values at over $5 billion. We do recognize that they are a Brand and we provide customers with the solution to Brand as their Own under our Platforms as a Service “PAAS” Licensing model. This provides much need clarity for the markets to set a valuation baseline.”
A Strengthened Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
As financial institutions, fintechs, and governments accelerate digital transformation, SMKG’s modular and enterprise‑ready platforms offer a competitive advantage in speed, cost efficiency, and interoperability. The company continues to expand its global footprint with new banking agreements, payment integrations, and strategic alliances.
About SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc. (OTC:SMKG) is a boutique technology company, providing Digital Transformation, Business Intelligence and Commerce Strategies with a proprietary portfolio of applications for Banking4.0, Web3.0 and Digital Payments4.0.
With an established financial network and FX infrastructure, SmartCard empowers its partners to expand globally, offering secure, compliant, and connected digital ecosystems for financial growth.
For more info visit https://www.smartcardmarketingsystems.com
or visit our business applications marketplace at https://www.emphasispay.com
We seek a safe harbor.
For additional enquiries & Enterprise Program connect with:
CEO, Massimo Barone
mbarone@smartcardmarketingsystems.com
SmartCard
Marketing Systems Inc.
Dharmesh Vora
President Enterprise Solutions
SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc.
dvora@smartcardmarketingsystems.com
OTC:SMKG Ph: 1-844-843-7296
news@smartcardmarketingsystems.com
Follow us on Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartcard-marketing-systems-inc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otcsmkg
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/OtcSmkg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartcard_marketing_sys/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@smartcardmarketingsystemsInc
Telegram: https://www.t.me/smkgotc
Tiktok: $SMKG:OTC (@smartcard_marketing_sys) | TikTok