Latest news with #EuropeanPaymentsInitiative
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EPI, wero… why European payment initiatives are struggling to get off the ground
Wero, the instant payment solution backed by the European Payments Initiative (EPI) and its sixteen shareholders, is struggling to gain traction—despite the initiative's claim of a user base exceeding 40 million. Originally launched as an ambitious project, it now faces numerous challenges, including the withdrawal of some shareholders, delays in its rollout, and difficulties in uniting key players across the European payments landscape. What are the main obstacles facing this initiative, which was meant to standardise SEPA payments in Europe? What alternatives are emerging? Let's take a closer look. The European Payments Initiative (EPI), launched in 2020, and its recent payment solution Wero (2024) emerged as a response to Europe's reliance on foreign—particularly American—payment providers such as PayPal and Visa. These initiatives aim to unify and modernise payments across the eurozone. Wero already allows users to send and receive money instantly via phone number, QR code, or email address. The objective, backed by the European Commission, is clear: to offer a European alternative for cross-border payments, aiming to streamline SEPA transactions, accelerate payment flows, and strengthen the EU's financial sovereignty. Currently, only 16 banks are involved in the EPI (including BNP Paribas, Groupe BPCE, Crédit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, ING Group, La Banque Postale, Nexi, Société Générale, Worldline), significantly limiting its adoption. Moreover, merchants must open a bank account with one of these institutions to use Wero, creating a substantial barrier to entry. While the EPI positions itself as 'a strong competitor to international payment networks,' its payment solution does not yet match the services offered by Visa and Mastercard. Initially conceived as a direct competitor to these global players, the project's ambitions were scaled back in early 2022 with the abandonment of plans to launch a physical payment card. The number of EPI/Wero shareholders has dropped from over 30 to just 16. As a result, adoption remains slow—particularly in Germany, which accounts for only 5% of Wero's transaction volume, according to the Deputy CEO of Crédit Agricole SA. To bypass this limitation, many merchants go through Payment Service Providers (PSPs). Since they are positioned as the biggest contributors to the payments ecosystem, by excluding them from its model, Wero presents itself as a relatively elitist product that does not take the majority markets into account. As a result, users of these PSPs do not fully benefit from the advantages of SEPA Instant, particularly in terms of the speed of fund reception and liquidity availability. Due to these obstacles, SEPA Instant payments often remain out of reach for a large portion of merchants, who continue to rely on slower and more costly solutions. Given the slow progress and limited accessibility of European payment initiatives such as EPI and Wero, alternative solutions have emerged—offering simpler, more flexible integration for (e-)merchants. Some of these platforms go as far as orchestrating all SEPA payment methods within a single system—centralising transactions, automating fund collection, and integrating a professional bank account, all without relying on a specific bank or third-party provider. For merchants, these solutions offer greater simplicity, lower costs, improved cash flow management, and direct access to instant payments—without intermediaries or added complexity. As such, they represent a powerful option for businesses of all sizes, including artisans, freelancers, and small to medium enterprises. Only solutions that truly address merchants' core needs—cost control, simplicity, and seamless integration—will gain their trust, serve as essential complements to European payment initiatives, and succeed in a global market that is becoming increasingly competitive. For EPI and Wero to truly take off, broader participation from banks and PSPs is crucial, as well as easier access for merchants—an aspect that has so far been largely overlooked. In conclusion, (e-)merchants have reason to be optimistic: comprehensive European payment tools do exist. What's still needed is greater optimisation and standardisation of mobile applications to unlock their full potential. According to early projections from fintech experts, SEPA orchestration solutions could account for 10% to 15% of all e-commerce transactions by 2026. Christian Caumont is CEO of YowPay "EPI, wero… why European payment initiatives are struggling to get off the ground" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Local Spain
12-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Spanish banks to allow Bizum instant payments to other European countries
Banco Santander has become the first financial institution in Spain to offer Bizum payments to other European countries. The news is a step forward for digital banking in Spain, allowing people to be more financially connected with the rest of Europe. The system is based on technical connectivity enabled by the European Payments Initiative (EuroPA), which seeks to unify payment services across Europe. Following successful pilot tests, this connectivity is now a reality, and new countries and banking institutions are expected to join the network in the coming months. Thanks to the interconnection of the mobile payment platforms, Bizum customers will now be able to connect with Bancomat in Italy and MB WAY in Portugal. According to the bank, it will connect 50 million users and 186 financial institutions, which is first step while awaiting a single European solution, for which no agreement has yet been reached. This means that Santander customers will be able to send and receive money instantly from and to users in these two countries, as well as in Andorra. It will be carried out in the same way as it is in Spain, by selecting a contact in your address book via a phone number, without having to enter an IBAN or use bank cards. Although Santander is the first bank to join, it is set to be rolled out very soon by several other banks in the country. Abanca, OpenBank, CaixaBank, BBVA, and Banco Sabadell are all expected to implement this service by the second quarter of 2025. While Europe continues its search for a single solution to transfers between countries, these platforms have taken the issue into their own hands, thanks to the EuroPA initiative. The hope is that Europe will adopt this method using the existing infrastructure in the future. Bizum is a Spanish mobile service that allows users to send an amount of money that usually ranges between 50 cents and €500. It enables you to make payments or request money from a phone number, if you have a Spanish account number from a bank linked to it, and now an Italian, Portuguese or Andorran one too. It's a free app service which was launched by Spain's main banks in 2016 as a way of competing with other mobile payment services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Paypal and others. Bizum has over 20 million users in Spain and is how many Spaniards choose to split the bill, pay small amounts for services and even pay their rent.
Finextra
03-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Revolut joins European Payments Initiative
Revolut has joined the European Payments Initiative to bring its Wero Wallet to millions of new customers this summer. 1 Launched late last year to harness the potential of account-to-account (A2A) payments to help European banks take on the might of Visa and Mastercard, Wero has already enrolled 40 million users across the first wave of markets it has entered. It enables A2A transfers using Sepa Instant Credit Transfer protocols so users can send money within 10 seconds via phone numbers, email addresses, or QR codes. Revolut's customers, initially in France, Belgium, and Germany, will have access to Wero's core features directly within their Revolut app. This includes instant, free-of-charge P2P money transfers between Wero users. Looking ahead, Revolut will integrate additional use cases as they come onstream. This includes e-commerce payments in the second half of 2025, followed by in-store payments, subscription management, and loyalty services from 2026 onward.. "Facilitating seamless access to free and instant payments is no longer a nice to have, it's a must," says David Tirado, VP of global business at Revolut. "By enabling Wero within the Revolut app, alongside our other local peer-to-peer payment partners, we're empowering our customers to make instant and secure payments seamlessly within European borders, in the most suitable way for them."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 iDEAL Competitor Profile: Revenue Model, Performance Highlights, Key Events and Milestones
Discover iDEAL's journey as a leader in Dutch payment services since 2005. Acquired by the European Payments Initiative in Oct 2023, iDEAL expands across Europe with offerings like ecommerce, P2P, and BNPL. Supported by major banks, it facilitates transactions in over 60 markets worldwide. Explore insights into its business model, products, and competitive edge. Dublin, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Competitor Profile: iDEAL 2025" company profile has been added to offering. The report offers detailed information and insights into iDEAL, including an in-depth look at its business operations, products and services, and a comparative assessment with key alternative payment solutions. It also covers iDEAL's revenue model, performance highlights, and outlines important events and milestones in the company's market leader in Dutch third-party payment services-was established by payment systems provider Currence in 2005. iDEAL offers online payments for Dutch domestic and international shoppers, enabling them to pay for online purchases directly from their bank account. iDEAL also enables consumers to carry out other transactions such as utility bill payments, mobile top-ups, and donations. It generates business by offering five types of transactions: domestic ecommerce payments, cross-border ecommerce payments, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, in-store payments, and buy now pay later (BNPL) services. Payments via iDEAL are supported by 14 issuing banks and financial institutions: ABN AMRO, ASN Bank, bunq, ING, Knab, Nationale-Nederlanden, N26, Rabobank, RegioBank, Revolut, SNS Bank, Triodos Bank, Van Lanschot, and Yoursafe. In addition to issuing banks, the solution is supported by 18 acquiring banks and 63 payment institutions, known as collecting payment service providers (CPSPs). CPSPs act as intermediaries between acquirers and merchants. Of the 63 CPSPs, 37 are international service providers; they allow Dutch consumers to pay for online purchases from foreign online merchants in more than 60 markets globally. In October 2023, the European Payments Initiative (EPI) (an organization featuring several of Europe's key banks and financial institutions) acquired iDEAL and Luxembourg-based payment solutions provider Payconiq International as part of its efforts to develop a unified Europe-wide instant payment infrastructure. This will help iDEAL expand its reach across the region. Key Highlights In October 2005, iDEAL was founded In December 2016, iDEAL launched payment service enabling money transfers between individuals. In May 2020, iDEAL launched iDEAL Scheduling in collaboration with payment solutions provider Online Payment Platform, allowing users to schedule payments for future dates. In April 2024, iDEAL introduced buy now pay later payment solution iDEAL in3 in collaboration with fintech services provider Eindhoven. This service enables users to pay for purchases across three equal installments. In March 2025, By March 31, 2025, merchants in the Netherlands had to remove the bank selection list from their checkout pages and replace it with a single iDEAL button. This button redirects customers to the new iDEAL Payment Page, where they can choose their bank or scan an iDEAL QR code to complete the payment directly in their banking app. Reasons to Buy Gain insights into iDEAL's business operations and key events. Gain insights into its product portfolio and revenue model. Assess the competitive dynamics in the alternative payments industry by comparing its performance against competitors. Key Topics Covered: 1. Overview2. Benchmarking3. Performance Highlights4. Revenue Model5. Products and Services6. Significant Events7. Ecommerce Market Share in Sweden8. Partner Banks9. Partner Payment Services Providers10. Partner Merchants11. AppendixFor more information about this company profile visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nuvei Joins the European Payments Initiative to Launch Wero for Ecommerce
European businesses will be able to offer Wero as a payment method in their online checkout through their existing integration with Nuvei MONTREAL, May 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- Nuvei, the Canadian fintech company, announces today its membership in the European Payments Initiative (EPI), becoming one of the first payment services providers to enable ecommerce businesses to accept Wero, EPI's innovative digital wallet, in their online checkouts. Wero already facilitates instant account-to-account (A2A) transfers using SEPA Instant Credit Transfer protocols, enabling users to send money within 10 seconds via mobile numbers, email addresses, or QR codes. Created to unify Europe's fragmented payment landscape and enhance financial sovereignty, Wero has already seen rapid adoption, attracting over 40 million users since its initial launch in Germany, France, and Belgium in late 2024. Expansion into the Netherlands and Luxembourg is set to begin shortly, alongside planned enhancements, such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and customer loyalty programs, further increasing Wero's appeal to European consumers. Nuvei's merchant clients will gain early access to this swiftly expanding European payment solution through their existing single integration with Nuvei's core payments platform. While pilot programs begin in May 2025, general availability for merchants is scheduled for September 2025. Philip Fayer, Nuvei Chair and CEO, commented on the announcement: "Europe is actively seeking greater payment sovereignty and consumer-centric solutions, and Wero directly addresses these strategic imperatives. By integrating Wero into our platform early, we are empowering our merchant partners to capitalize on emerging payment trends and deliver preferred local payment experiences at scale. This positions Nuvei uniquely as a leader in supporting European merchants with forward-thinking payment innovations." Martina Weimert, CEO of EPI, added: "Our partnership with Nuvei is a new key step towards Wero's expansion to the e-commerce sector. By making Wero available to Nuvei's extensive merchant network, we're accelerating the adoption of a truly European payment solution that enhances financial sovereignty while delivering a seamless, easy and innovative experience for consumers and businesses alike. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a unified payment ecosystem that serves the unique needs of the European market." This strategic partnership underscores Nuvei's ongoing commitment to building the most comprehensive and agile alternative payment method (APM) portfolio. Through a single, flexible integration, Nuvei enables merchants globally to customize their payment offerings effortlessly, ensuring alignment with local consumer preferences and market trends. About EPI EPI (or European Payments Initiative) is supported by 16 European banks and payment service providers. They have joined forces with a common goal: to offer a unified mobile payment service, to all European companies and citizens, Wero (add link). EPI intends to enable European consumers and merchants and to carry out all types of retail transactions simply, via a resolutely sovereign digital wallet. Find out more at About Wero Based on instant account-to-account (A2A) payments, Wero further streamlines payments in Europe by eliminating intermediaries in the payment chain and the associated additional costs. Wero already supports payments between individuals, and will shortly unveil payments to professionals (P2Pro) and those for online and mobile purchases. Point-of-sale payments will also be offered, as well as value-added services such as merchant loyalty programs and recurring subscription management. Find out more at About Nuvei Nuvei is the Canadian fintech company accelerating business around the world. Nuvei's modular, flexible and scalable technology allows leading companies to accept next-gen payments, offer all payout options and benefit from card issuing, banking, risk and fraud management services. Connecting businesses to their customers in more than 200 markets, with local acquiring in 50 markets, 150 currencies and 720 alternative payment methods, Nuvei provides the technology and insights for customers and partners to succeed locally and globally with one integration. For more information, visit Contact: Public Relations View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Nuvei View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
