European Mobile Payments: Local vs Global Players, Interoperability Challenges

Europe’s #mobile #payment landscape is fragmented between domestic local players solutions (e.g., Swish, Bizum, TWINT), global OEM Pays (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and emerging pan-European initiatives (e.g., #EPI’s #Wero, EuroPA). Domestic systems grew @ 46% CAGR (2017–2023), OEM Pays @ 70% CAGR. OEM Pays dominate in major markets: In markets without strong local players, Germany, France, Italy, Apple Pay and Google Pay have gained ground rapidly, benefitting from native smartphone integration and international card scheme rails. Local players outperform in home markets: In countries like Sweden, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland, domestic mobile A2A systems process 7–25% of card-equivalent volumes and are ahead of OEM Pays in penetration. Their success hinges on strong bank collaboration, P2P functionality, and local relevance. Interoperability is advancing but complex: Initiatives like EPI, EMPSA European Mobile Payment Systems Association, and #EuroPA aim to bridge domestic systems across borders. However, full technical and commercial harmonization remains a long-term challenge and likely a 10+ year journey. While there is a strategic shift toward regional clusters, consolidation around multi-national collaborations (e.g., EPI–EuroPA partnership) is emerging as a more realistic scenario than a single unified EU solution. The outcome depends on political will, bank support, and execution at scale. Just released Arkwright Consulting's European Mobile Payments report. Thanks to co-authors: Steven Jacob for his unwavering passion for and leading on this topic and Peter Grosskurth. #wallets #paymentinterfaces #a2a