This puts it on an equal footing with other payment networks such as PayPal and WorldPay.

BBC: Virtual cash exchange becomes bank

All the more interesting therefore that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has recently been co-operating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in arresting the alleged perpetrators of the December 2008 RBS WorldPay data breach.

FORBES: A Network Ambassador for a Networked Superpower

Some of the largest merchant acquirers and processors have already committed to offering PayPal, including Vantiv, WorldPay, Global Payments, First American Payments, Heartland Payment Systems and TSYS. Other leading acquirers and processors continue to join on a regular basis.

ENGADGET: PayPal and Discover expand partnership, will reach 2 million stores by year-end