News & analysis
Notes on payments policy, M&A activity, market shifts, and emerging trends across the global card-acceptance landscape.
Europe strives for payments sovereignty as US players tighten grip
The European card payments market, processing trillions of euros each year, remains dominated by two American giants: Visa and Mastercard. Despite the…
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Swiss love of cash fades as debit cards take over
In a historic shift for one of Europe’s most cash-affectionate economies, debit cards have overtaken cash as Switzerland’s most used in-store payment…
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UK card payments top £1 trillion in 2024
Card payments in the UK surpassed £1 trillion in 2024, according to new figures from UK Finance, underscoring a continued shift towards…
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Digital ID 2025: Regulatory imperatives, technological advancements
Digital ID verification has emerged as a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and consumer protection. Amidst escalating concerns over fraud prevention,…
Read more → Euro Area payment dynamics 2024: Cards continue to dominate
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published its latest report on non-cash payments for H1 2024, offering an incisive examination of evolving…
Read more → The rise of neobanks and changing banking trends in the UK
The UK banking sector is undergoing a transformation as neobanks and fintechs continue their rapid ascent, reshaping consumer behaviour, loyalty and financial…
Read more → EU set to drop FiDA Open Finance regulation
In a significant policy reversal, the European Commission has decided to withdraw its proposed Financial Data Access (FiDA) framework, a move that…
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Worldline and DNB Bank partner on real-time payments in Norway
Worldline has announced a strategic partnership with DNB Bank ASA, Norway’s largest financial institution, to enhance real-time payment infrastructure using Swift Instant…
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Apple Pay or Google Pay? Which service rules Europe
As digital wallets continue to reshape the payments industry, two tech giants – Apple and Google – are at the forefront of…
Read more → European fintech rebounds with investment surge in 2024
Good news! Europe’s fintech sector experienced a notable resurgence in 2024, with investments rising by 10% to reach $8.7 billion, up from…
Read more → Europe’s Embedded Finance market: The €100 billion opportunity
The embedded finance (EF) market is reshaping the financial landscape in Europe, offering a seamless integration of financial services into nonfinancial platforms.…
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Worldline extends partnership with KBC for issuing services
Worldline has announced a long-term extension of its existing partnership with KBC/CBC, one of the leading financial groups in Europe. With this agreement, Worldline…
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