Blog

The payments world,
in plain language.

Wallets
July 10, 2026 · 12 min read

Apple Pay and Google Pay: the hidden economics of the wallet button

Why wallet checkouts convert above raw card forms, what security and privacy mean for users, and where Apple Pay and Google Pay sit against cards in Europe and the US.

APMs

Wero: Europe's attempt to build its own payment wallet

Why 16 banks pooled their national champions, how Wero differs from iDEAL or Apple Pay, and what it means for merchants.

Jul 1, 20268 min read
Regulation

What MiCA changes from 1 July

The transitional window closes. Here is what becomes mandatory, what stops being allowed, and what businesses should check before the deadline.

Jun 18, 20266 min read
APMs

Paysafecard in Europe: how cash still wins online

The prepaid voucher is one of Europe's quietest payment success stories. A look at where it sells, who uses it, and why merchants still add it to their checkout.

Jun 8, 20268 min read
Open Banking

Open Banking in 2026: from promise to default

Pay-by-bank is moving from niche experiment to mainstream rail. A look at where open banking stands today, who is using it, and why merchants and consumers are finally paying attention.

May 22, 20268 min read
Settlement

Why acquirers are quietly testing stablecoin settlement

Settlement in stablecoins isn't a crypto story — it's a treasury story. A look at what's changing behind the scenes.

May 8, 20269 min read
Regulation

PSD3 is here — what actually changes for merchants

Stronger SCA exemptions, clearer liability rules, and a friendlier path for non-bank PSPs. A short guide.

Apr 14, 20269 min read
Guides

How to actually choose a payment provider in 2026

Pricing pages lie. Here's the short list of questions that separate marketing from reality.

Mar 30, 20267 min read
APMs

Alternative payment methods in Europe: who's winning and why

Wallets, pay-by-bank and local schemes are taking real share from cards across Europe. A tour of the brands, the numbers, and what it means for merchants and shoppers.

Mar 10, 20268 min read
Instant Payments

SEPA Instant is now the default — what changes for the EU

Ten-second euro transfers, 24/7, at the price of a normal SEPA transfer. A short guide to the mandate and why it matters.

Feb 24, 20265 min read
Market Infrastructure

TARGET2 and SWIFT — why they are not the same thing

One settles euro payments between central banks in real time. The other is a messaging network that tells banks what to do. A guide to how TARGET2 actually differs from SWIFT.

Feb 11, 20268 min read
Regulation

MiCA, one year in — what the new EU crypto rulebook actually changed

A single licence, one set of stablecoin rules, and the slow consolidation of a continent's worth of locally licensed VASPs. A guide to where MiCA stands at the start of 2026.

Jan 28, 202611 min read
Market Trends

Payment market trends going into 2026 — what 2025 actually told us

Instant rails everywhere, stablecoins moving from pilot to production, agentic checkout, tokenised cards, and a quiet rewiring of consumer expectations. A long read on where payments go from here.

Jan 16, 202612 min read