What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 9 | What’s next for Europe’s payments ecosystem? – Tech trends, evolving regulations, and the sovereignty debate

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 9 | What’s next for Europe’s payments ecosystem? – Tech trends, evolving regulations, and the sovereignty debate

From FinTech Futures by FinTech Futures

May 13, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

The episode explores the future of Europe's payments ecosystem, focusing on trends, regulations, and technology impacts.

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Simone Löfgen, Global Head of Payment Platforms at Commerzbank, to explore the key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the payments industry in 2026. The conversation covers the current state of play with payments in Europe, the impact of evolving regulations, and the opportunities and challenges in cross-border transactions, including the role of stablecoins and the future of CBDCs like the digital euro. Paul and Simone also discuss how AI is transforming payments, from enhancing systems to combating fraud, and how Commerzbank is leveraging this technology, as well as how banks can balance customer expectations for fast, secure, and transparent payments with the growing complexity of payment infrastructures. We also hear Simone’s thoughts on what’s next for the industry and what the growing conversation around payments sovereignty might mean for the future of the European payments ecosystem. And finally, we find out what fintech buzzword Simone wants to throw into our Fintech Jail…

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