Goodbye Mastercard and Visa: 130 million Europeans gain access to this new payment system

June 16, 2026 at 09:37 AM UTC
Presse-Citron
Original: FR
Goodbye Mastercard and Visa: 130 million Europeans gain access to this new payment system

Europe is taking a significant stride towards digital sovereignty in the payments sector with a new interbank agreement. This landmark accord aims to create a unified, interoperable payment system across multiple European countries, lessening reliance on existing global card networks. The initiative, spearheaded by the EuroPA Alliance and EPI Company (owner of Wero), represents a concerted effort to build a robust European financial infrastructure. The core of this development is the widespread adoption of the Wero payment system, which is projected to become available to 130 million Europeans. This system is designed to facilitate seamless and secure transactions, offering an alternative to established international payment providers. By prioritizing interoperability, Wero seeks to streamline cross-border payments and enhance the overall digital payment experience for consumers and businesses alike. This move has profound implications for European consumers, businesses, and the broader digital economy, fostering greater competition and potentially leading to more favorable transaction fees. For European tech companies and fintech innovators, it opens new avenues for development and integration within a more self-determined digital ecosystem. This development aligns with broader EU goals to bolster its digital independence and strengthen its internal market.

Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.

Why this matters for European digital sovereignty

Europe is advancing its digital sovereignty by launching Wero, a new interbank payment system designed to foster interoperability and reduce reliance on global card networks. This initiative aims to create a unified European financial infrastructure, benefiting 130 million users and aligning with broader EU goals for digital independence. The development promises to enhance competition and create new opportunities for European fintech innovation.

Source Information

Publication: Presse-Citron
Published: June 16, 2026 at 09:37 AM UTC
All rights remain with the original publisher.

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