MONEI joins the EPC: a new member's perspective

MONEI joins the EPC: a new member's perspective

22 January 25

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The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to the European Payments Council.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Alexandre Saiz, CEO of MONEI, a new member organisation that joined the European Payments Council (EPC) on 1 January 2025. In this interview, Alexandre provides insights into MONEI's journey, the motivations behind joining the EPC, challenges in the payments industry, and the company’s forward-looking vision.

Tell us about MONEI and what makes it special?

MONEI is a regulated payment institution under the supervision of Banco de España. It offers a comprehensive platform that enables businesses to accept a wide array of payment methods, both online and in-person, through a unified system. MONEI’s standout features include seamless integration capabilities with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce, as well as robust application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) for custom integrations. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor payment solutions to their specific needs, enhancing the customer experience and streamlining payment processes.

What are the strategic challenges in the retail payments and  account-to-account (A2A) payments markets?

In the retail payments market, strategic challenges include:

  • Rapid technological advancements: keeping pace with emerging technologies such as contactless payments, mobile wallets, and blockchain requires continuous innovation.
  • Regulatory compliance: navigating complex and evolving regulations across different regions demands significant resources and expertise.
  • Security concerns: protecting against fraud and cyber threats is paramount, necessitating robust security measures and constant vigilance.

In the A2A payments market, challenges encompass:

  • Standardisation issues: the lack of uniform standards across financial institutions can hinder seamless A2A transactions.
  • User adoption: encouraging consumers and businesses to transition from traditional payment methods to A2A solutions requires building trust and demonstrating clear benefits.
  • Interoperability: ensuring that different banking systems can work together smoothly is essential for the efficiency of A2A payments.

What were the key drivers for MONEI to join the EPC?

MONEI’s decision to join the EPC was driven by several factors:

  • Influence in standardisation: participating in the development of standardised payment schemes aligns with MONEI’s goal to offer seamless and interoperable payment solutions.
  • Regulatory alignment: engaging with the EPC allows MONEI to stay abreast of regulatory changes and ensure compliance across its operations.
  • Networking opportunities: membership provides access to a network of industry peers, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

To which EPC activities does Monei expect to contribute most?

MONEI anticipates contributing to several EPC initiatives:

  • SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst): enhancing the reach and adoption of instant payments across Europe.
  • Request to Pay (R2P): developing and promoting the R2P scheme to facilitate more efficient payment requests and collections.
  • Digital Payment Solutions: collaborating on the advancement of digital and mobile payment solutions to meet evolving consumer demands.

Lastly, what future developments and challenges do you anticipate in the near term?

In the near term, the payments industry is likely to experience:

  • Increased digitalisation: a continued shift towards digital payment methods, accelerated by technological innovation and changing consumer behaviours.
  • Regulatory evolution: ongoing updates to regulations, particularly concerning data protection and open banking, will require adaptability.
  • Competitive landscape: the entry of new fintech players and the expansion of existing ones will intensify competition, necessitating differentiation through innovation and customer service.

MONEI is poised to navigate these developments by leveraging its technological capabilities, regulatory insight, and commitment to providing versatile payment solutions.



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