CA-C-002118
Wise — Wise Terms of Use
Entity
Date detected
May 15, 2026
Effective date
May 15, 2026
Severity
Low
Direction
Neutral
Affected users
all users us users
Changes
+3 sentences added · 2 sentences modified
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Event Summary

Wise updated its Terms of Use on May 15, 2026 to add three new provisions governing FedNow instant payment transactions. The updated terms now state that Wise accounts can receive funds via FedNow, that FedNow transactions are processed in real time and generally cannot be canceled or reversed once completed, and that Wise may decline incoming FedNow transactions at its discretion for security, compliance, or operational reasons. Sending payments via FedNow is not currently available. These additions establish operational and procedural boundaries for a specific payment method without modifying broader settlement finality language.

LOW

Consumer Impact

The updated terms establish that Wise accounts may receive funds through FedNow, a real-time payment service operated by the Federal Reserve. Under these new provisions, once a FedNow transaction is completed, it generally cannot be canceled or reversed, which differs from some other payment methods that may offer reversal windows. The terms also authorize Wise to decline incoming FedNow transactions at its discretion if needed for security, compliance, or operational reasons. Sending payments via FedNow is not currently available.

Governance Analysis

The updated terms establish support for a new payment method (FedNow) operated by the Federal Reserve and clarify the irreversibility mechanics associated with that method. This affects customers receiving payments through Wise, as FedNow deposits cannot be reversed once settled, distinguishing this method from other payment rails that may offer chargeback or reversal options.

Key Clauses Affected

FedNow acceptance and irreversibility

Wise accounts may receive funds via FedNow, which cannot be canceled or reversed once completed.

Discretionary decline of FedNow transactions

Wise may decline incoming FedNow transactions at its discretion for security, compliance, or operational reasons.

Full clause-by-clause analysis available with Compliance.
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This change record describes what was added, removed, or modified in the document. Analysis reflects what the updated agreement states or permits. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology

Evidence Verification

✓ Verified
Previous Version
6c7070383d3be07c745a187db82887bcafab24b4b99bb7b61d1c82ca54acfac3
May 1, 2026 06:23 UTC
✓ Verified
Current Version
561266d11f984a2eb3eab7608e74f5c481a231a012a4ed1cb0115da73c83c5e7
May 15, 2026 00:35 UTC
✓ Verified
Change Detected
May 15, 2026 00:35 UTC
Analysis Methodology
✓ Verified
Source Document
https://wise.com/us/legal/terms-of-use
Citation Record
Entity: Wise
Document: Wise Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-C-002118
Captured: 2026-05-15 00:35:39 UTC
URL: https://conductatlas.com/change/2026-05-15-wise-wise-terms-of-use-2118/
Accessed: July 4, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
For legal and compliance teams

Institutional Analysis

Assessment

Wise added three sentences describing FedNow support as of May 15, 2026. The change discloses that incoming FedNow transactions are irreversible once settled and that Wise retains discretionary authority to decline such transactions. This is a product feature disclosure rather than a material shift in consumer rights or liability. Compliance impact is minimal; the language reflects operational reality of FedNow mechanics (real-time settlement) rather than new contractual obligations. No regulatory risk is apparent from accepting a Federal Reserve payment rail.

Regulatory Exposure

FDIC regulations governing deposit acceptance; Federal Reserve FedNow service operational rules. No primary consumer protection statute is directly engaged by accepting an instant payment service.

Full compliance analysis

Obligation analysis, escalation trigger, board language, and recommended action.

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ConductAtlas provides verified policy intelligence sourced directly from platform documents. All analysis is intended to support, not replace, legal and compliance review. Record CA-C-002118.

Clause-Level Changes

New Provisions Added
Transaction Blocking for Compliance Reasons
High

Grants Wise unilateral authority to block or reverse transactions without notice based on subjective assessment of compliance risk, potentially leaving users without funds and without advance warning.

Full clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Acceptable Use and Prohibited Transactions
Medium

Explicitly lists prohibited transaction categories (gambling, adult content, weapons) and places compliance burden on users, creating potential liability exposure for users engaging in these activities.

Full clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Funds Safeguarding Disclosure
Medium

Explicitly disclaims FDIC protection and clarifies non-bank status, informing users that their funds lack federal deposit insurance coverage despite being held with the platform.

Full clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Provisions Removed
Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver
High

The explicit class action waiver language was removed in the current version, though arbitration remains; this change may allow for class actions depending on applicable law interpretation.

Removed clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
User Responsibility for Account Security
High

Removal of this provision eliminates the explicit liability waiver for security breaches caused by user negligence, potentially increasing Wise's liability for account security failures.

Removed clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
Medium

The specific court jurisdiction clause was removed and replaced with mandatory arbitration under AAA rules, eliminating users' right to pursue litigation in New York courts.

Removed clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Provisions Modified
Account Suspension and Termination
High

Changed from 'with or without cause' to 'if we reasonably believe you have breached' (adding a reasonableness standard) and narrowed harm protection from general 'protect Wise or our customers' to specific 'financial or reputational harm.'

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Liability Limitation
High

Replaced blanket exclusion of indirect/consequential damages with a specific liability cap tied to transaction value or 12-month fees, materially limiting Wise's exposure but providing a concrete ceiling rather than elimination.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
KYC and Identity Verification Requirements
Medium

Added explicit mention of 'counter-terrorist financing' requirements and added user authorization for third-party verification, while removing the provision allowing account suspension pending verification.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Fee and Exchange Rate Changes
Medium

Simplified provision to focus on change mechanism with immediate effectiveness possible, removing prior detailed explanation of mid-market exchange rates and transparency language.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Agreement Modifications
Medium

Added requirement to notify of 'material changes' specifically via email or app where legally required, and added Wise app as notification channel, providing somewhat more stringent notice procedures.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
Dispute Resolution and Governing Law
High

Removed reference to court jurisdiction in New York and replaced with mandatory binding arbitration under American Arbitration Association rules, eliminating the option to litigate in court.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →
User Data and Privacy Authorization
Medium

Changed from permissive language ('we may share') to affirmative consent requirement ('by using you consent'), added explicit reference to Privacy Policy, and removed the separate mention of aggregated/de-identified data sharing.

Before/after clause text available with Compliance. See Compliance →

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle similar provisions across the ConductAtlas archive.

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Full Changes

See the full side-by-side comparison of every sentence added, removed, and modified.

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Document Context

Version history → Policy drift analysis → Document page →
Document
Wise Terms of Use
Entity
Wise
Captured
May 15, 2026
Source URL
https://wise.com/us/legal/terms-of-use
Other changes to Wise Terms of Use
Previous change May 1, 2026
Wise updated its Terms of Use on May 1, 2026, making two minor changes. The document's version number changed from …
Low Positive
View full version history →
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