Digital identity and payments are two of the cornerstones of digital transformation. Throughout the Americas, businesses are developing innovative new ways to revolutionize customer engagement in the device-first modern world.

In today’s frequently changing payments landscape, stakeholders are embracing new technologies to reflect shifting consumer behaviors. One such technology is SoftPOS, a solution which uses Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices to accept contactless payments. In fact, 41% of small business owners are investigating the possibility of accepting payments via mobile device.

Steve Pannifer, Senior Vice President of Digital Identity at Fime, summarizes the key insights and discussions from Money 20/20 Asia in Bangkok, Thailand – a prominent event that brings together the Asia-Pacific payments ecosystem to delve into the latest opportunities within the industry.

Due to their seamless user experience and secure design, payment terminals have become the gold standard for brick & mortar merchants. As the world becomes more digital, merchants need to embrace new and innovative ways to keep up with evolving consumer expectations while maintaining, or even improving, security.

*The power of NFC.* SoftPOS (Software Point of Sale) solutions transform a regular smartphone or tablet– known as a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) device – into a contactless payment terminal. NEW: A...

The global digital payment market is expected to reach $236.10 billion by 2028. With much of this growth attributed to the emergence of new technologies, those looking to capitalize on the growth of digital might not know where to start.

Digital identity is a fast-growing yet fragmented ecosystem. Around the world, there are numerous initiatives underway aiming to create reusable digital identities and rails on which they can be used. Some of these initiatives are being driven by the public sector; others from the private sector. Some are based around the idea of a digital wallet; others are focused more on APIs.

The momentum behind SoftPOS (Software Point of Sale) solutions continues to build. With the market set to grow to $27.7 billion by 2030, merchants looking for simple and low-cost digital payment acceptance solutions are capitalizing on this trend, opening them up to new markets and customers.

Cross-border payments have become the backbone of international commerce and investments. From tourists using their home bank card while abroad, to businesses paying a global network of suppliers.

Digital payments have sky-rocketed in popularity as consumers have sought new, more hygienic ways to pay. SoftPOS payments offer numerous benefits to consumers and merchants alike. Comprised of software solutions that run on Android Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, they can enable digital payment acceptance in a cost-effective and simple way.

Gary Munro, Vice President, Payments Consulting at Consult Hyperion, Consulting by Fime, summarizes the key discussions and insights from Merchant Payment Ecosystem (MPE) 2025 - Europe’s largest payment acceptance conference.

At the end of February, important interoperability test events took place for Mobile Driver's Licenses (mDL) in Utrecht, The Netherlands. *The vision and the challenge.* The vast majority of mDL solut...

Biometric systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in today's interconnected world. These technologies compare biometric data provided during verification with a previously stored template to allow authentication or identification of the person.

By any measure, January was a busy month for digital identity. Age assurance continues to be a hot topic as regulators grapple with the need to protect children online.

The generation born between 1997 and 2012, commonly known as Gen Z, is the first to have grown up with digital devices and internet access. For these “digital natives”, connected devices, such as smartphones, are not seen as transformative breakthroughs, but rather an integral part of daily life.

As the November 2025 transition deadline fast approaches, one of the topics that took center stage at this year’s Sibos event was ISO 20022. While the focus remains on what will happen at the end of the transition period, the pioneers and early adopters of ISO 20022 are already reaping huge benefits. Let’s dive into the advantages which were highlighted at the event and the impact that the standard will have on the ecosystem in 2025.

The transit landscape in Taiwan is undergoing a significant transformation, shaped by technological innovation and evolving consumer demands. Fime, as a neutral consulting company, recently conducted an in-depth market study on Taiwan’s transit ecosystem, focusing on its leading players and their strategies to adapt to emerging trends in payment technologies.

As the world becomes more digital, the way we interact, authenticate ourselves, and make payments is evolving. Digital identity now sits at the heart of this transformation, offering a faster, more secure way to verify who we are in the online world. Whether you're shopping online, logging into your bank account, or accessing government services, your digital identity can easily connect you to the services you need.

Advancing technical innovation, such as instant payments, combined with increasing globalization have stepped up the pressure on legacy payment networks. Cross-border payments are now more important than ever, with businesses looking to expand to new markets and reach new customers. However, with new payment services, forms of currencies and enhanced technologies, existing payment systems have been pushed to their limits.

Personal authentication in the age of digital transformation is creating both opportunities and challenges. Those tasked with safeguarding the physical security of any given location now have the opportunity to create seamless, intuitive access control experiences, but this must go hand-in-hand with an increased scrutiny on security.

For domestic schemes, open payments in transit are an urgent priority. As a game-changer with the potential for increased revenue, enhanced customer loyalty, and innovative leadership, the benefits are too significant to ignore. Domestic schemes need to prioritize this to remain competitive and relevant in the market.

Interoperability paves the way for innovation. A unified ticketing network with pooled resources can enable investment in technologies that would typically be beyond the means of a single operator. This investment can create operational efficiencies, drive new streams of revenue, and help safeguard key payments and passenger movement data. This helps create a seamless, accessible and inclusive ticketing network that meets the needs of all passengers.

In a world where technological advancements continue to revolutionize the way we conduct business, the threat landscape facing financial institutions is evolving at an unprecedented pace.

Instant payments allow users to transfer funds in a matter of seconds. The convenience and transparency that this allows businesses to provide has led to growing adoption as users demand a seamless pa...

Implementation is always one of the most challenging parts of any product roll out. From getting commuters to work every day, to giving people the means to travel to see friends and family, the public transport is an integral aspect of people’s everyday lives. And in ticketing, the pressures to deliver this larger scope in a short amount of time are considerable.

Our world is increasingly connected, and this brings with it an increased demand for digital solutions. This includes payments, with consumers now expecting them to be faster, more convenient and more secure than ever. Instant payments promise not only to meet these expectations but also surpass the capabilities of any current method of payment. It is on this basis that the European Payments Initiative (EPI) aims to change the way Europe pays.

As the world continues to experience a significant shift towards digital commerce, fraud has increased substantially. The pandemic has further exacerbated this trend, with fraud rates skyrocketing over the past year.

Developing and maintaining an interoperable ticketing scheme for an entire city, region or beyond presents many challenges. And while creating an interoperable scheme has a multitude of benefits, unified ticketing requires unified leadership. It is imperative that the authorities and operators working for a common system establish both a short-term and long-term vision for the project.

Public Transport Operators and Authorities (PTOs / PTAs) are under constant pressure to deliver a reliable service. And with different passenger groups to consider, each with unique demands,  operator...

In the constantly evolving payments landscape, technological developments move fast, and stakeholders need to keep up with changing consumer demands. But the reality of payment acceptance can be much ...

Around the world, numerous cities have implemented complex digital ticketing systems to facilitate automated fare collection to increase the efficiency of growing transportation networks.

The payment industry landscape is being disrupted by concerns about sovereignty, the emergence of multiple new payment services, and a lack of business control. To meet these challenges, leading domes...

Domestic schemes in many countries have grown from strength to strength, digitalizing and innovating to keep up with their international counterparts. One area where it is especially important to keep pace is cardholder authentication. It is imperative that domestic schemes provide state of the art security without inhibiting the user experience.

In today's digital age, payments have become increasingly strategic for merchants, especially when it comes to their customer relationships. Payment solutions play a critical role in helping merchants to convert sales and build customer loyalty. Poor payment implementation has an immediate impact on conversion rates, and therefore on the merchant's bottom line.

The rapid growth in the Internet of Things (IoT) and connectivity is transforming industry sectors that previously have been left untouched by the world of connected devices. In areas ranging from large-scale infrastructure projects down to fish tank temperature sensors (1), linked devices are now ubiquitous - and each and every one of them is at risk of attack.

Consumers are now used to tapping their card to make payments. The problem is, not all merchants can afford the onboarding and maintenance fees of legacy point of sale (POS) systems. This is a notable obstacle, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization, leading to a surge in contactless payments.

This year’s TTG brought together engaged stakeholders from throughout the public transport community for two days of insightful keynotes, panels and discussions.
So, what are the key challenges and opportunities facing the transport ticketing ecosystem? While many topics were discussed by the major players in ticketing, a few key themes stood out.

*The impact of one-button checkout solutions.* Two of the leading payment schemes made headlines by announcing their intent to do away with their proprietary online “checkout buttons” and instead comb...

We’ve relied on our ability to identify people and things for hundreds of thousands of years, since the beginning of our species and before. The way you look, the way you behave, the way you communica...

When you need to test payment devices, having the right tool is vital. All payment schemes mandate proper testing before connecting your systems to their network. Fime Brand Test Tool (BTT) provides a...

As the number of devices and connected services rise, our lives are becoming increasingly digitized. Keeping up with this evolving landscape is vital, and 2023 promises to bring with it a host of new use cases and innovations.

* What is an eID? * ID proofing systems that use electronic Machine Readable Travel Documents (eMRTDs) such as ePassports, electronic identification documents (eIDs) and electronic residence permit do...

Biometric authentication offers an innovative way for a user to authenticate themselves. A user’s face, iris, fingerprint or even voice can be used to authenticate a payment. This provides a seamless user experience without compromising on security. However, a successful project requires careful strategic planning and execution to navigate the necessary security and regulatory challenges.

As payment technologies advance, a variety of real-time or near-real-time payment schemes are under development around the world. Each scheme has specific features, benefits and limitations. Keep read...

As adoption of biometric authentication increases, so does the need to ensure that biometric systems are resistant to attacks. Presentation attacks, such spoofing, which aim to "spoof" a biometric verification or identification procedure, can compromise biometric authentication. Fime is exploring how to transform genuine biometric images into synthetic spoofs and evaluate the robustness of biometric systems in detecting presentation attacks.

Increasingly, strong security measures are required to protect valuable data from fraudsters. However, as security measures increase in complexity, the process becomes more cumbersome for consumers.

Instant payment systems, also called real-time payment systems, facilitate the immediate transfer of funds, immediate transaction confirmation and constant availability. Although these features offer ...

Although many countries around the world have offered instant or real-time bank payments for years, adoption by U.S. financial institutions (FIs) has lagged. To the shopper completing an online purcha...

With digital payments picking up steam around the world, it could be said that the future of the physical card is uncertain. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of digitalization, with new ways to make a touchless card payment – such as QR codes, mobile wallets and contactless payments – becoming widespread.

Driven by consumer demand for an enhanced payment experience and the financial industry’s shift toward a global standard for financial operation systems, the adoption of instant payment systems is acc...

The need for payment terminals at the point of sale (POS) has always limited the acceptance of card-based payments. These terminals had to read the card details and accept the customer’s PIN entry, bu...

As the world continues to move toward cashless and digital payment models, consumers expect their accounts, money and personal information to be protected. To achieve security, we need to prove this l...

Transport ticketing has rapidly evolved in the digital age. As recently as the 1990s, closed loop systems based around paper tickets or tokens were the norm. This resulted in a poor user experience. Lines to purchase tickets were often long, and turnstile throughput was inefficient. Today, passengers can use a smartcard or even their phone as their ticket, utilizing contactless and Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality to tap-and-go.

The value of digital transactions was projected to reach $8.49 trillion (USD) in 2022, growing annually thereafter by 12.31% to a projected $15.17 trillion (USD) by 2027. At the same time, in the onli...

In the last five years, we have witnessed hyper-innovation in the payments industry. Technology and consumer demand have converged at the physical point of sale (POS), pushing it closer to online comm...

User adoption of biometric authentication has accelerated in recent years, yet some users are still cautious. Fime is exploring ways to innovate on biometric evaluation to help solution providers to launch reliable and high-performance products. In this interview, Communications Director Stéphanie Pietri speaks to Joël and Abdarahmane about Fime’s recently published paper on environmental impact.

The European Payments Initiative (EPI) is aiming to provide a pan-European payments solution. EPI aims to set itself apart from other payment methods and address the challenges created by the fragmentation of the European payments landscape.

Instant payments are electronic payments processed in real time, with funds immediately made available to the recipient. In 2020, instant payments surged globally by 41%, demonstrating increasing demand.

It was good to be back! Money 20/20 Europe 2021 brought together key players from throughout payments for a series of presentations and debates on the key concerns and opportunities within the industry. From global leaders to dynamic startups, the event brought together over 1,500 people to share thoughts and ideas.

Across both in-person and online payments, consumer demands have significantly increased. Easy, interconnected payment solutions are now expected, leaving merchants constantly looking for ways to prov...

Today, contactless cards provide a fast and frictionless payment experience, where up to a certain value, the normal cardholder verification method of entering a PIN is not needed. It has revolutionized payments for low value items.

Transport ticketing has rapidly evolved in the digital age. As recently as the 1990s, closed loop systems based around paper tickets or tokens were the norm. This resulted in a poor user experience. Lines to purchase tickets were often long, and turnstile throughput was inefficient. Today, passengers can use a smartcard or even their phone as their ticket, utilizing contactless and Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality to tap-and-go.

Fintechs aim to challenge traditional financial services thinking with the use of innovative technologies. In doing so, they can often provide a better user experience than entrenched methods. These improvements include speeding up transactions, lowering the number of rejected payments, giving greater insight into finances and creating more seamless payment processes.

The trend towards biometric authentication has been further accelerated by the global pandemic. Hygienic touchless identification solutions have become critically important. And, with customers already familiar with using biometric solutions on their phones, the growth of this industry only looks to continue. In this blog we will evaluate this growth and discuss some of the potential opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

With the global digital payments market set to be worth some $8,059.3 billion by 2023 , at a CAGR of 20%, payments are undergoing a rapid period of growth and transformation.

New payment methods, such as real-time payments, initiatives such as open banking, and technologies like as biometrics, all contribute to a constantly evolving ecosystem. The potential for innovation and optimization is clear.

But if this value is to be realized, players must first ensure the security and interoperability of new products and technologies. A robust certification process is one way to achieve this.

The Japanese payments market has long been something of a paradox. On the one hand, Japan boasts the third-largest economy in the world and is a culture synonymous with high-tech and innovation.

Stéphanie Pietri, Brand & Digital Marketing Director at Fime spoke with the Fime CEO Lionel Grosclaude to discuss how the company has changed and how this new Fime embodies our vision for the future.

After several months of research, 16 banks representing five European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) approved the official launch of a new European payment scheme called the European Payments Initiative (EPI).

After several months of research, 16 banks representing five European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) approved the official launch of a new European payment scheme called the European Payments Initiative (EPI).

After several months of research, 16 banks representing five European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) approved the official launch of a new European payment scheme called the European Payments Initiative (EPI).

After several months of research, 16 banks representing 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) approved the official launch of a new European payment scheme called the European Payments Initiative (EPI) on July 2nd 2020. In this series, we explore the purpose of the initiative and how it plans to achieve its ambitious goals.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how Fime supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

As None [1] data breaches continue to rise globally, protecting the integrity of customer data (especially in the payments world) is vital. One essential security standard helping keep such data sec...

As None [1] data breaches continue to rise globally, protecting the integrity of customer data (especially in the payments world) is vital. One essential security standard helping keep such data sec...

As None [1] data breaches continue to rise globally, protecting the integrity of customer data (especially in the payments world) is vital. One essential security standard helping keep such data sec...

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

Urban mobility is making great advancements in India. Rising consumer demands and government initiatives have driven the creation of more innovative, secure mobility services and, most recently the cr...

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

*Account-based ticketing, or ABT, is high on the transport industry’s agenda. It offers travellers choice and flexibility in the fare media they use – whether that be a smartphone, wearable, smartcard...

None [1] Transport Ticketing Global has rapidly become the event for the transport ticketing industry, growing in popularity year on year. So much so, in fact, that the audience has outgrown the conf...

Standards. They form a significant part of the end-to-end financial services testing and consulting Fime provides, and in the world of payments, they’re far from new. Yet, despite a lot being achieved...

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

Transport ticketing is an interesting and complex ecosystem that’s seen a rapid period of evolution in recent years. With an increasing convergence with payments, the rise in new form factors and the ...

Open banking. In the last year or so, this concept has given Europe’s financial world a lot to grapple with. The implementation of some pretty historic legislation (did someone say PSD2?), and the ent...

In this Q&A, we speak to Pierre Aurel, Product Manager at Synthesis, to learn more about how FIME supported them to achieve the first automated Mastercard TEI accreditation for a new SoftPOS solution.

China’s love affair with mobile has grown rapidly. With the staggering popularity of mobile-based social applications such as WeChat, its unsurprising over 70% of handsets in the country are now smart...

It’s estimated that None [1] more than 2 billion people today own an NFC-enabled device, and we’re seeing more industries take advantage of the contactless technology. More consumers are using NFC-ba...