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June 24, 2025

On the wires

June 9, 2025

On the web

ECB Consults on Extending RTGS Hours – Could Help DLT Payments, Digital Euro

Ledger Insights

"On Friday the European Central Bank launched a consultation on extending the hours of T2, its main real time gross settlement (RTGS) system. DLT payments and the digital euro are one of the considerations, although not the primary driver of the plans. T2 already operates 22.5 hours a day, but consumer and interbank payments are only possible during a narrower window. Additionally, the system closes for 48 hours over the weekend."

May 27, 2025

On the web

Europe’s Banks Brace for Real-Time Payments —And Millions in Lost Interest

IBS Intelligence

There’s no such thing as banking hours anymore. Weekends, evenings, holidays — they’re all fair game now. With the EU’s SEPA Instant Payments Regulation set to become mandatory by October 2025, banks are being pushed into a world where euro payments must clear in seconds, 24/7/365. It is a landmark shift designed to modernise European payments, but it comes at a steep cost.

May 23, 2025

Top Post

BBVA and Caixabank Process Europe’s First Interbank RTP Transactions

FinTech Futures

"Spanish banking giants BBVA and CaixaBank have successfully conducted the first bank-to-bank Request to Pay (RTP) transactions in Europe. The transactions were part of a ring-fenced pilot programme conducted between April and May, and were completed via instant transfer processed by domestic payment services provider Iberpay."

On the wires

ECB Hopes to Have Political Deal on Digital Euro by Early 2026

Reuters

"The European Central Bank hopes to have all the political decisions in place by early next year to issue a digital euro and would then need two to three years to launch the currency, ECB board member Piero Cipollone said on Thursday. The ECB has been working on a digital version of the euro for years but progress has been slower than expected, mostly because legislation is still not in place to allow the bank to proceed."

May 5, 2025

On the web

European Central Bank Partners With Private Sector Through Digital Euro Innovation Platform

European Central Bank

"The European Central Bank (ECB) has established an innovation platform to collaborate with European stakeholders in the context of the digital euro project. Almost 70 market participants – including merchants, fintech companies, start-ups, banks and other payment service providers – have signed up to work with the ECB to explore digital euro payment functionalities and use cases."

April 28, 2025

On the wires

ECB Forms Group to Simplify Banking Rules

Reuters

"The European Central Bank has launched a task force, chaired by Vice President Luis de Guindos, that will look for ways of simplifying banking rules in Europe, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday. The central bank governors of Germany, France, Italy and Finland are also part of the task force, the source said."

April 8, 2025

On the web

Viva.com Expands Near Instant Payment Footprint Across Europe, With UK Launch of Mastercard Move

Viva

"Viva.com, the 1st Tech Bank in Europe for Businesses, has expanded its pan-European activation of Mastercard Move on its payments and banking platform to 24 countries, following the addition of the UK as an additional live origination market. This step enables businesses across 24 European countries to send and receive near-instant payments regardless of currency and geography, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction."

April 2, 2025

On the web

Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Europe and Beyond

European Central Bank

" Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Regional Governors’ Meeting ...The pressing need to enhance cross-border payments is not just a regional concern, it is a matter of urgency worldwide. As international transaction volumes have surged, outstripping GDP growth, the economic toll of inefficient cross-border payments has continued to mount."

March 13, 2025

On the web

Europeans Show Little Interest in Digital Euro, ECB Study Reveals

Cointelegraph

A new European Central Bank survey reveals significant consumer reluctance toward adopting a digital euro, with Europeans seeing little value in the CBDC. An ECB working paper on “Consumer attitudes towards a central bank digital currency,” which surveyed about 19,000 respondents across 11 euro-area countries, highlighted significant communication challenges that are discouraging European households from adopting the digital euro.

March 11, 2025

On the web

Eurosystem to Offer Verification of Payee Service

European Central Bank

"The Eurosystem has concluded its exploratory work for offering a Verification of Payee (VoP) service for payment service providers (PSPs). The service is expected to reduce the risk of fraud and payment errors by allowing payers to verify the account details of the intended recipients before payments are initiated. This service will be available for instant payments, including those settled in TARGET Instant Payment Settlement, as well as for SEPA credit transfers."

February 28, 2025

On the web

February 25, 2025

On the web

February 20, 2025

On the web

February 14, 2025

On the web

February 13, 2025

On the web

Accelerating Payments Into and Out of Europe

Barclays Investment Bank

"Existing schemes for euro payments into and out of Europe can result in delayed payments outside European business hours. New schemes, such as OCT Inst, offer 24/7 availability and should ensure a seamless customer experience. While adoption will take time, it could be a big change for European payments."

February 4, 2025

On the wires

December 17, 2024

On the web

December 11, 2024

On the web

European Banks Face a Mandatory Digital Euro. Now What?

The Global Treasurer

"...the ECB aims to make the digital euro the most private digital payment solution in regulated markets. While banks will maintain oversight for regulatory compliance, the ECB will not have visibility into individual digital euro transactions or balances. The project, which began in 2021, is expected to launch between 2028 and 2030, pending political approval and legislation."

December 5, 2024

On the web

CBDCs: Where Do We Stand in Europe?

Deutsche Bank

"Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have gained traction globally. In 2023, 94% of central banks have been engaged in some form of research, experimentation, pilot programme or deployment, a survey by the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) published in June 2024 found."

November 27, 2024

On the wires

Adyen and Doctolib Join Forces to Modernise Consultation Payments

Adyen

"Adyen and Doctolib are joining forces to offer medical professionals innovative and secure financial services. The partnership, which was recently launched in France and Italy, allows Doctolib to offer its users online payment solutions, as well as broader financial services to simplify their daily lives and consolidate business and financial management in one place."

November 25, 2024

On the wires

October 22, 2024

On the web

September 27, 2024

On the web

September 11, 2024

On the wires

September 6, 2024

On the web

September 4, 2024

On the web

September 3, 2024

On the web

Polish Mobile Payment System Blik Expands Abroad

Notes From Poland

"Polish mobile payment system BLIK, which is used by millions of people in its homeland, has moved forward with its international expansion after becoming available to customers of one of Slovakia’s largest banks. BLIK also has plans to expand to Romania."

June 12, 2024

On the web

XTransfer and Banking Circle Announce Strategic Partnership

Banking Circle

"XTransfer, the leading B2B cross-border payment platform from China, and Banking Circle have entered into a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to reduce the cost and processing time of cross-border payments for XTransfer’s clients, particularly benefiting Chinese suppliers with significant markets in Europe and the Middle East."

June 4, 2024

On the wires

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