Visa and Mastercard have finalized a significant settlement with U.S. merchants aimed at reducing swipe fees, marking the end of a lengthy 20-year legal dispute. This agreement is expected to impact the rewards landscape for credit cards, allowing some merchants the option to refuse rewards cards entirely. The deal, which addresses anti-competitive concerns, has drawn mixed reactions from industry representatives, with some slamming the proposal as insufficient. As the settlement progresses, consumers and merchants alike are keenly watching how these changes may affect their transaction experiences.