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.