The launch of the Wero digital wallet represents a major milestone in advancing a unified European payment solution.
In an interview with Martina Weimert, CEO of the European Payments Initiative (EPI), European Payments Council explore the motivation behind Wero, its standout features, roadmap, the EPI’s perspective on the digital euro, plans for geographical expansion and the innovative future developments set to transform Europe’s payment landscape.
Here what Weimert says about the most interesting future developments we can expect from EPI and Wero digital wallet.
„Subscription management, for instance, will be the first to exist in a payment solution, allowing everyone to switch off some subscriptions whenever they feel the need. QR code generation and payments through this technology are also somewhat new to Europe as a solution to initiating transactions without a terminal or cash register.
Another forthcoming payment feature that really differentiates us is the Scan&Go, which is based on QR code scanning, to allow, for instance, ‘phygital’ shopping, bicycle rental or public transportation access.
Instead of constantly downloading new apps to fit the different services and needs, one mobile solution will allow everyone to manage all their payments with clear control and safety. This is clearly a game-changer in the industry, and we must capitalise on this promise.
Value-added services are also on the EPI roadmap, given that a wallet cannot be limited to payments if it’s to succeed and be adopted by consumers. This includes the integration of merchant loyalty programmes and digital identity services.„
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The ambition of the Wero digital wallet is to offer a European sovereign unified payment solution to address the needs of consumers, professionals and merchants in all European markets. The roadmap started with Person-to-Person (P2P) payments, launched in 2024 and will follow in 2025 with the launch of e-commerce and m-commerce payments. Later in 2026 and 2027, Wero will offer Point of Sales (PoS) payments as well as subscriptions management and value-added services.
Wero is part of the European Payments Initiative (EPI), supported by 14 major European banks and the two largest payment processors in Europe. The digital wallet is already operational in three European countries: Germany (since July 2nd, 2024), France (since September 30th, 2024) and Belgium (since 19th November 2024). Soon will follow the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Banking 4.0 – „how was the experience for you”
„So many people are coming here to Bucharest, people that I see and interact on linkedin and now I get the change to meet them in person. It was like being to the Football World Cup but this was the World Cup on linkedin in payments and open banking.”
Many more interesting quotes in the video below:
