In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Omar Ebeid, Founder & CEO of Zeal, to challenge one of the biggest structural issues in payments — the ISO race to the bottom.
Omar breaks down how the industry became trapped in price-led competition, and why many ISOs struggle to differentiate beyond rates, terminals, and basic service. The conversation explores the hidden cost of this model — from margin pressure to merchant churn — and why it’s no longer sustainable.
They dive into how loyalty can flip the commercial model, turning payments from a cost centre into a growth and engagement platform. From recognising customers directly at the card machine to unlocking deeper merchant relationships and data insights, the discussion shows how value-added services can create real competitive advantage.
Looking ahead, the episode explores how ISOs could evolve — shifting from volume-driven businesses to platforms built on engagement, data, and long-term merchant stickiness.
Plus, Omar takes on The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — nominating one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.
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The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.
ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments, real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at www.isx.financial
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The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.
Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.
Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/
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The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.
PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.https://teampcn.com/
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Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.