In this episode, we host Inge van Dijk from the Dutch National Bank to discuss the implications of the digital euro. The conversation covers the necessity of state intervention in the payments market, the role of central banks, financial inclusion, cost implications, and the competition between private and public payment solutions. Inge emphasizes the importance of planning for the future of cash and digital payments and the need for cooperation among stakeholders. The discussion also touches on the future of stablecoins and their potential impact on the payment landscape.
In this episode, we discuss payments in the US, particularly focusing on account-to-account, open banking, the role of fintech, and the impact of AI. Sarah Stapp, the Chief Commercial Officer at Aeropay, shares her insights on the current state of the US payments market, its challenges and opportunities, and the importance of standardization in APIs. The conversation also touches on the differences between the US and European markets, particularly in terms of regulation and consumer behavior.
In this episode, we host Teresa Mesquita, Executive Board Member @ SIBS in Portugal, to discuss the intricacies of European payment systems, focusing on the European Payments Alliance (EuroPA). We explore the role of MB WAY and EMPSA in this joint venture, the challenges of interoperability, the urgency for pan-European solutions, and the implications of sovereignty in payment infrastructure. The conversation also delves into the future of the digital euro and its potential impact on existing payment solutions.
In this episode, we are discussing the Verification of Payee (VOP) concept, which has been mandated by the new Instant Payments Regulation, with our expert guest Frans C. Van Beers, who has been leading the EPC's creation and implementation of a corresponding scheme that is about to go live across Europe. We explore the purpose of VOP, some experience from the Netherlands and the UK, user experience challenges, the role of the EPC and that of Routing & Verification Mechanisms (RVM), regulatory influences, and future developments in this area.
In this episode, we host Atze Faas to discuss his extensive experience in the payments industry, his current role at EuroCommerce and his views about retail payments from the merchant's perspective. He emphasizes the importance of the digital euro in reducing payment costs and enhancing European autonomy. The discussion also covers the complexities of payment systems, the implications of surcharging, and the need for merchants to understand payment costs better. He advocates for a stronger merchant voice in the payments landscape and highlights the necessity for interoperability among payment systems to facilitate smoother transactions.
This time, we are exploring the Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB), which is steering Europe's payments agenda. We look at its structure, stakeholders, and the challenges it faces in achieving consensus and addressing strategic issues in the European payments landscape. The discussion highlights the need for the ERPB to adapt to changing market dynamics and its potential to address some of the issues we raised in previous episodes.
In this episode, we discuss the need for a coherent industrial policy in the European payments landscape. We explore the fragmentation of payment solutions across Europe, the lack of a clear strategic direction, and the importance of establishing a public-private partnership to foster harmonisation, but also innovation and competition.
In this episode, we discuss the concept of sovereignty in the context of payment systems, exploring its implications and the confusion it can create. We debate its relevance vs. the importance of resilience and efficiency, and potential risks associated with a lack of sovereignty. The conversation also touches on the role of open banking guaranteeing EU sovereignty for the time being, and the need for more payment options to reduce dependency on foreign actors.
In this episode, we engage with Tony McLaughlin, a well known expert on the subject, who previously served 20 years as Citi's payments brain. Together we explore the transformative potential of stablecoins in the financial landscape, the evolution of payment technologies, the regulatory landscape surrounding stablecoins, and the future role of banks in this new ecosystem. The discussion highlights the importance of user experience and adoption challenges, as well as the sovereignty issues posed by global competition in the stablecoin market.
This episode delves into the concept of Request-to-Pay (RTP), exploring its historical roots, current challenges, and future prospects. The discussion highlights the potential of RTP to streamline payment processes but also addresses the obstacles it faces in gaining traction among banks and consumers. Key insights include the importance of harmonizing RTP with existing payment systems, the role of banks versus non-bank players, and the need for a clear economic model to support its adoption. The focus is on the EU version, SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP), which has been implemented as an EPC scheme.
This episode features a transition in the leadership at the European Payments Council (EPC), with Javier Santamaria reflecting on his 13 years tenure as its chairman and Gijs Boudewijn stepping into the role. In return, Javier is succeeding Gijs in this podcast representing mainly the bankers' perspectives. The conversation explores the evolution of payments in Europe over the past two decades, the challenges posed by new technologies and regulations, and the importance of maintaining a strong voice in the face of political pressures. The participants discuss the future of payments, including the role of ISO 20022, digital currencies, and the need for collaboration and evidence-based regulation.
In this episode, we host Jens Holeczek, the leader of the German giroAPI project to discuss this initiative and its differentiation from SPAA. The conversation explores the broader scope of giroAPI, its current status, and the commercial model that underpins it. We also compare the governance structures of giroAPI and SPAA, emphasizing the need for collaboration. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of these initiatives and the importance of their harmonization and convergence.
For this episode, we invited Jeremy Light, a well-known payments expert, especially also for this topic. We discuss the evolving landscape of digital wallets for cards and account-to-account payments, and the implications for the Digital Euro. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities presented by open banking, the future of cash, and the need for interoperability in cross-border payments. Additionally, we delve into the potential of micro payments in the subscription economy and the importance of creating cost-effective solutions for low-value transactions.
In this episode we discuss the need for a new approach to industrial policy in the payments sector. We explore Europe's potential to leapfrog and lead in payment technologies, rather than playing catch-up all the time. For this to happen we see the need for the authorities to regulate less and orchestrate more by acting as a convener to foster innovation and growth in the European payments landscape.
In this episode, we engage with Chris Skinner, one of the most famous payment experts in Europe, to explore the evolving landscape of digital trust and identity in the financial sector. We discuss the challenges of onboarding and KYC processes, the potential of the upcoming EU ID wallet, and the fragmentation of digital identity solutions across Europe. The conversation delves into the complexities of trust in banking versus government, the implications of deep fakes, and the future of digital identity in an increasingly digital world.
In this episode, we welcome Claus George to discuss the topic of Commercial Bank Money Tokens (CBMT), which is quite a revolutionary concept of using bank money with distributed ledger technology (DLT). We explore the implications for banks, corporates, and the future of financial transactions, comparing tokenized deposits with stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The discussion highlights the challenges of standardization, the role of banks in a tokenized world, and the potential especially for B2B supply chain payments on corporate blockchains.
In this episode, the hosts discuss the use of Payment Initiation Services (PIS) at the Point of Sale (POS), based on the European Retail Payments Framework (ERPF), a market initiative of the European Third Party Providers Association (ETPPA). They explore the European payment strategy, the role of open banking, and the challenges faced in implementing PIS in physical retail environments. The conversation highlights the importance of creating a framework for PIS providers, the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, and the significance of enhancing the consumer and merchant experience in payment processes.
In this episode of the Payments Trilogue, the hosts interview Martina Weimert, the CEO of the European Payments Initiative (EPI), which has just been launching WERO their new payments wallet. They are discussing the challenges and opportunities in the European payments landscape and they explore the fragmentation of payment solutions, the integration of the digital euro, the role of fintechs, and the importance of winning consumer trust across diverse markets. The conversation also touches on the political dynamics in Germany and the future of payment solutions in Europe, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation to compete with global players.
This episode of the Payments Trilogue hosts Chris Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode and Chairman of EMPSA, the European Mobile Payment Systems Association, to discuss the evolving landscape of payment systems in Europe. The conversation covers the complexities of instant payments, the importance and difficulties of collaboration among payment systems, and the challenges of pricing models in cross-border transactions. Pirkner emphasizes the significance of owning the customer journey in payments and the need for European sovereignty in payment solutions. The discussion also touches on the role of regulators, the potential impact of the Digital Euro, the EUID wallet, and the necessity of a coordinated approach to avoid fragmentation in the market.
This episode explores the evolution and future of account-to-account (A2A) payments, highlighting the success of iDEAL in the Netherlands, the challenges faced by banks, and the potential for A2A payments to become a dominant payment method in Europe. The discussion includes insights on the advantages of A2A payments over traditional card payments, the importance of payment certainty, and the need for a pan-European approach to A2A solutions.