Bizum, Wero and MB WAY Join European Network for Payments

The European payments landscape took a decisive step forward this week as three of the continent's most widely used instant‑payment services – Spain's Bizum, the Netherlands' Wero and Portugal's MB WAY – announced their membership in the newly created European Network for Payments (EPI). The move signals a coordinated effort to harmonise real‑time transfers across borders, offering a clearer path for consumers and merchants who have long navigated a patchwork of national systems.

The European Network for Payments is an industry‑driven initiative that brings together national payment schemes, banks and technology providers under a common framework. Its purpose is to align technical standards, governance rules and security protocols so that a payment initiated in one member country can be completed instantly in another, without the friction that traditionally accompanies cross‑border transactions. By pooling expertise and resources, the network aims to accelerate the adoption of instant payments throughout the EU, complementing existing infrastructures such as SEPA Instant Credit Transfer.

European Network for Payments: A New Collaborative Framework

Bizum, launched by Spanish banks in 2016, has become the de‑facto domestic instant‑payment solution for millions of users, enabling peer‑to‑peer transfers via mobile numbers. MB WAY, operated by Portuguese banks, offers a similar service with added support for QR‑code payments and integration with e‑commerce platforms. Wero, a Dutch fintech, provides a real‑time payment app that connects directly to users' bank accounts, bypassing card networks and reducing transaction costs. Their collective entry into EPI creates a tri‑national backbone that can be leveraged by other European schemes seeking interoperable connections.

For the broader European rollout, the inclusion of these three services demonstrates how national initiatives can converge without sacrificing local brand identity. The network's governance model encourages each member to retain its customer‑facing interface while adopting shared messaging standards and settlement procedures. This approach reduces the need for duplicate development efforts and helps regulators monitor systemic risk across a unified ecosystem.

Implications for Users and Merchants

From a consumer perspective, the EPI membership means that a Bizum user in Madrid could send money to a Wero user in Amsterdam and expect the funds to appear in the recipient's account within seconds, just as if both parties were using the same domestic app. Similarly, a merchant in Lisbon accepting MB WAY payments will be able to settle instantly with a supplier in Rotterdam, improving cash flow and reducing reliance on legacy clearing houses. The network also promises consistent security standards, including strong customer authentication and real‑time fraud monitoring, which benefit all participants.

Entrepreneurs stand to gain from a simplified integration landscape. Instead of negotiating separate contracts with each national scheme, businesses can adopt a single API that connects to the EPI hub, which then routes payments to the appropriate domestic service. This reduces onboarding time and operational overhead. In this context, providers such as Cardentity are already positioning their card‑processing platforms to complement the instant‑payment flow, offering merchants a unified checkout experience that blends card and real‑time bank transfers.

Looking ahead, the network plans to expand its membership to include additional national schemes and to explore integration with cross‑border fintechs that specialise in currency conversion. Regulatory bodies have expressed support for the initiative, noting that a harmonised instant‑payment environment aligns with the EU's Digital Finance Strategy. As the ecosystem matures, users may also see value‑added services such as automatic receipt generation, expense categorisation and seamless linkage to budgeting tools. Services like Wise could benefit from the same interoperable infrastructure, offering low‑cost international transfers that sit alongside domestic instant payments.

In summary, the collaboration of Bizum, Wero and MB WAY within the European Network for Payments marks a pivotal moment for the continent's digital finance agenda. By uniting under shared standards, the three services are laying the groundwork for a truly borderless, real‑time payment experience that could reshape everyday commerce across Europe.