Key Takeaways from Money20/20 Europe 2025 Conference
In the bustling heart of Europe's financial district, Money20/20 Europe recently concluded, showcasing the latest trends and announcements shaping the payments industry. The event, a melting pot of banks, fintechs, and industry leaders, provided a platform for insightful discussions, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
One of the most significant announcements came from Revolut, who revealed their integration with Wero, the digital payment wallet developed by the European Payments Initiative (EPI). From July, customers in France, Belgium, and Germany will have the ability to make instant, free transfers to other Wero users. This move is a testament to the growing importance of pan-European cooperation in the payments sector.
Another notable development was NomuPay's $40 million investment from Japan-based SB Payment Service Corp. (SPBS). This partnership will allow NomuPay to expand into Japan, while SPBS's merchant clients can scale globally. The event also saw LianLian Global partnering with BVNK, enabling international merchants across more than 100 countries to fund cross-border transactions with stablecoins.
The focus on stablecoins was evident throughout the event, with many discussions revolving around their potential and the growing concerns about the dollarisation risk they pose in the European market. However, there were signs that stablecoins might be over-hyped, sparking debates about their long-term viability.
Key strategies for businesses targeting the European payments market were also highlighted. These strategies include aligning with regulatory requirements, leveraging instant payment infrastructure, embracing pan-European cooperation, preparing for technological and market changes, and focusing on customer-centric innovation.
The event placed a strong emphasis on networking opportunities, with panel discussions covering topics such as regulation, differentiation, and technology in the European payments industry. Panellists included Samantha Emery, Payments Executive & NED, LBG, Benyam Hagos, Chief Financial Officer of Form3, Lucy Ingham, VP of Content and Editor-in-Chief, and Danny Levy, Managing Director Asia & ANZ, Money20/20, among others.
Asian players had a stronger presence at this year's event, with Sunrate and XTransfer among those with stands. FIS also launched its International Issuing Hub, a new platform designed to help banks and issuers modernise their payments infrastructure and bring new products to market. Deutsche Bank, meanwhile, partnered with Transfermate to facilitate cross-border payments and in-country collections, and agreed with Mastercard to power open banking solutions for European merchants.
However, there was a notable downturn in the discussion of artificial intelligence at this year's event, with the focus almost exclusively around fraud and compliance-related topics. Despite this, the event served as a reminder of the dynamic and evolving nature of the European payments landscape, and the need for businesses to adapt and innovate to stay ahead.
In summary, Money20/20 Europe provided a valuable platform for the payments industry to discuss, collaborate, and strategise in the face of regulatory challenges, technological advancements, and market changes. The event underscored the importance of a strategic combination of regulatory compliance, leveraging advanced instant payment infrastructure, deep collaboration within the industry and public sector, and staying adaptive to emerging technologies such as the digital euro. This integrated approach will enable businesses to succeed in a rapidly evolving and highly regulated European payments landscape.
- The strategic alliance between NomuPay and SB Payment Service Corp. (SPBS) is an example of how business partnerships in the finance sector can facilitate expansion into new markets, such as Japan.
- The collaboration between LianLian Global and BVNK is a testament to the growing importance of technology, particularly stablecoins, in the business of cross-border transactions within the technology industry.
