The Fintech Power 50 Annual 2025

BALANCING PROGRESS AND PROTECTION The future of payments lies at the

OPEN BANKING…REBRANDED? Open banking continues to evolve quietly but significantly. Millions of users now rely on it for payments and financial insights, often without realising it. That’s part of the challenge: the term ‘open banking’ resonates poorly with consumers, even as adoption grows behind the scenes. The next phase of open banking may depend on rebranding. Consumers want convenience, not jargon. As APIs enable faster and more secure payments, Open banking will likely become the invisible infrastructure powering new digital experiences – frictionless checkouts, personalised finance tools, and more. It’s less about the label and more about the value. MOBILE WALLETS AND TRUST Mobile waallets are used by roughly a fifth of UK consumers for in-person payments, and nearly 40 per cent of online transactions involve a mobile wallet. Yet there’s still untapped potential. The issue isn’t awareness – most consumers know about mobile wallets. It’s trust. Security concerns persist, even though digital wallet crime and fraud is rare, and digital payments are typically well-protected. To drive adoption, wallets will need to offer more than payments. Features such as loyalty programmes, budgeting tools, or integration into broader financial ecosystems could help wallets become more compelling and trusted. ACCOUNT-TO-ACCOUNT (A2A) ON THE RISE A2A payments – direct transfers from one bank account to another – are gaining traction, especially as an alternative to traditional card networks. Enabled by open banking and supported by APIs, A2A offers real-time transactions without card fees. However, user experience remains a barrier. Unlike ‘tap to pay’, A2A can involve multiple steps, especially for recurring payments. For A2A to reach its potential, it must become easier to use, more accessible and more seamlessly integrated into platforms consumers already trust.

complexity, with initiatives like PSD2 and now PSD3 reshaping the payments landscape across Europe. Meanwhile, broader regulatory frameworks like DORA are introducing new obligations for resilience and security. But the future may not bring only more regulation – it could bring fragmentation. Some governments may loosen regulatory requirements to support national champions or attract investment. Others may double down on consumer protections and data privacy. For companies operating across borders, this divergence could mean adapting to a growing patchwork of local requirements, especially as super apps and global fintech players push regulatory boundaries. SUPER APPS AND GLOBAL TENSIONS One of the most closely watched trends in fintech is the rise of the ‘everything app’, or ‘super app’ – platforms that combine messaging, payments, commerce, and social interaction. Inspired by China’s WeChat, some Western tech giants are exploring similar moves. But global ambitions come with regulatory friction. AS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES AND GEOPOLITICAL PRESSURES RESHAPE THE REGULATORY MAP, THE PAYMENTS ECOSYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT Imagine a scenario where a major US tech platform launches a global payments system that doesn’t fully comply with EU or UK regulations – for argument’s sake, Elon Musk launching X as an ‘everything app’ in the manner of WeChat, leveraging a partnership with Visa to create a payments ecosystem on the app. Would these regions adjust their rules to accommodate innovation – or push back? The tension between compliance and competitiveness will shape how platforms expand and how consumers access cross-border services.

intersection of convenience, compliance, and innovation. Consumers want simplicity and control. Businesses seek efficiency and growth. Regulators aim to protect against fraud, abuse and systemic risk. As technology evolves and geopolitical pressures reshape the regulatory map, the payments ecosystem will continue to shift. I believe success will depend on how well stakeholders navigate this balancing act, embracing innovation without sacrificing trust or safety. To learn more about Decta, visit www.decta.com

BPC COMPANY INFO

Who is DECTA: DECTA provides end-to-end payment solution, from acquiring to issuing and processing, but unlike other players in the crowded payments marketplace they offer bespoke-as-standard solutions aimed at making payments accessible to everyone. The company is headquartered in the UK and has offices around the world. DECTA’s seven core products have seen a multitude of merchants harness its technology resulting in more than £1billion in transactions globally. Its value chain includes its own licence with Mastercard and Visa, certified processor for Unionpay International, and multiple payment methods throughout the UK. What it does: DECTA is a provider of comprehensive, in-house payment infrastructure solutions, offering acquirer and issuer processing, white-label payment gateway and digital banking platform capabilities. Company: DECTA Founded: 2015

Category: Financial services Key people: Scott Dawson, UK business CEO Local presence in: UK,

Ireland, Latvia and Cyprus Website: www.decta.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/decta