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

We spoke with Marco Boldini about TerraPay’s mission to simplify cross-border payments, the challenges in account-to-account (A2A) transactions, and the company’s contributions as a new member of the European Payments Council (EPC).

Could you tell us about TerraPay and what makes it special? 

TerraPay is a global payments infrastructure company with a clear mission: to simplify and democratise cross-border money movement. What makes TerraPay truly special is our commitment to interoperability, compliance, and financial inclusion. We have built a robust, scalable network that connects financial institutions, mobile wallets, and payment platforms across more than 100 countries, enabling seamless, secure, and real-time transactions. In Italy and across Europe, we’re focused on bridging gaps in remittance corridors and empowering businesses and individuals to transact globally without friction. Our technology is designed to prioritise agility and regulatory considerations, which allows us to integrate quickly and responsibly into diverse financial ecosystems.

What are the main strategic challenges TerraPay faces in the payments landscape, particularly regarding cross-border transactions and A2A payments?

One of the key challenges is navigating the complexity of regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions. Cross-border transactions and A2A payments require not only technological interoperability but also deep compliance alignment with local and international standards. Ensuring real-time settlement while maintaining robust anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) protocols is a delicate balance.

Another challenge is the fragmentation of payment systems: while A2A payments are gaining traction in Europe through initiatives like SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst), global adoption remains uneven. TerraPay is focused on building bridges between legacy banking infrastructure and emerging digital ecosystems to enable low-cost transfers. Finally, customer expectations are evolving rapidly. Users demand speed, transparency, and reliability, regardless of geography. Meeting these expectations securely and sustainably is a strategic imperative for us.

What were the chief drivers for TerraPay to join the EPC?

TerraPay’s decision to join the EPC was driven by a strategic commitment to deepen our engagement within the European payments ecosystem and to contribute meaningfully to its evolution. We recognise the EPC’s pivotal role in shaping harmonised standards, fostering interoperability, and driving innovation across borders. Moreover, joining the EPC allows TerraPay to collaborate with key industry stakeholders and decision-makers. It also reflects our dedication to regulatory excellence and our ambition to build a more integrated and resilient financial landscape in Europe.

To which current and future EPC activities does TerraPay expect to contribute most?

TerraPay is proud to be part of the EPC: we see strong alignment with the EPC’s work enhancing SCT Inst schemes and promoting pan-European interoperability for payments. As a global company, we bring deep expertise in real-time cross-border transactions and compliance-driven innovation. TerraPay is committed to helping shape a more inclusive, secure, and efficient European payments landscape and we believe our global perspective can add value to the strategic agenda.

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

Looking ahead, we anticipate several key developments and challenges that will shape the European payments landscape. First and foremost, the acceleration of instant payments and the broader adoption of SCT Inst will continue to redefine consumer expectations around speed, transparency, and interoperability. TerraPay is well-positioned to support this evolution, especially in bridging cross-border corridors with real-time capabilities. Another major development is the increasing regulatory focus on digital resilience, cybersecurity, and financial crime prevention. As compliance frameworks grow more complex, the challenge will be to maintain agility while ensuring robust risk management. TerraPay is investing heavily in advanced compliance technologies and AI-driven monitoring to stay ahead of these demands. Finally, the convergence of payments with digital identity, open banking, and tokenisation presents both opportunities and challenges. Navigating this convergence will require close collaboration across the ecosystem, and we see the EPC playing a vital role in fostering that dialogue. TerraPay will be an active contributor in this transformation.