Eurosystem eyes up alternative payment solutions in latest retail payments strategy update

  • Eurosystem’s Retail Payments Strategy Update
    • Priorities:
      • Digital euro development
      • Instant payments
      • Cross-border payments
  • Objectives of Retail Payments Strategy
    • Develop pan-European solutions for point-of-interaction (POI) payments
    • Strengthen the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) through full instant payment deployment
    • Address challenges to European sovereignty in the payments market due to post-2020 developments
  • Legislation Core Goals
    • Create a European solution for POI payments to reduce reliance on international card schemes and big tech providers
    • Introduce digital euro to complement existing capabilities
    • Promote technological advancements in cross-border payments for both retail and wholesale contexts
  • Recent Updates
    • Focus on alternative payment solutions for resilience, especially during network disruptions
    • Ensure availability of “fallback options” for payment service providers (PSPs)
    • Discussing enabling direct access to payment systems for non-bank PSPs
  • Collaboration and Harmonization Efforts
    • Discussing harmonization of pan-European electronic identity (eID) and electronic signature (eSignature) services
    • Exploring possibilities through the revised Settlement Finality Directive (SFD) and updated eIDAS regulation
  • Progress in Achieving Retail Payments Strategy
    • SEPA Instant Payments mandate implementation
    • Increased dialogue with the fintech sector
    • Entering the preparation phase for the digital euro project
Laura M
Laura is a financial reporter, editor, and researcher with a particular interest in fintech innovation, capital markets, and the evolving global banking landscape.