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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: February 2026

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: February 2026

Welcome to the February edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. Here’s what stood out in payments this month:

Amazon Launches Pay by Bank for UK Customers

Amazon has introduced Pay by Bank as a checkout option for UK customers. The service uses open banking to create a secure link between customers and their banks, removing the need to enter card details.

 

The launch is significant because it brings account-to-account payments into everyday retail, rather than niche use cases. Customers authorise payments in their banking apps and can receive refunds quickly once returns are processed.

Amazon

UK Government Develops Deepfake Detection Framework

The UK government is working with technology companies, including Microsoft, to develop a framework for evaluating deepfake detection tools. The initiative aims to test how well different technologies identify AI-generated images, audio, and video used in fraud and impersonation.

 

As fraud becomes more sophisticated, deepfakes are emerging as a real threat to payments and identity verification. Establishing common testing standards should help financial institutions and technology providers better assess the effectiveness of detection tools.

GoCardless Introduces Natural Language Payment Tools

GoCardless has launched a new Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool. This allows businesses and developers to interact with its payments platform using natural language via AI tools.

 

Instead of working directly with APIs, merchants can describe their payment requirements or query payment data in plain English. Guidance and results are received automatically. This approach could reduce integration effort and make payment data easier to access for non-technical users.

Go Cardless
card scheme

Debate Continues Around a Potential UK Domestic Card Scheme

Industry discussion is continuing around the idea of a UK domestic card payment alternative as part of a broader push for payments sovereignty.

 

Supporters argue that a domestic scheme could reduce reliance on international card networks and help control costs for merchants. Critics question whether the investment required would be justified given the strength of existing infrastructure and global acceptance.

 

While still at an early stage, the debate highlights ongoing concerns about card costs and control of critical payments infrastructure.

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: January 2026

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: January 2026

Welcome to Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective, January 2026. Here’s what’s shaping the payments landscape this month:

Ingenico and Toshiba Partner to Modernise Retail Checkouts

The partnership focuses on mobile payment technology that lets staff take payments anywhere on the shop floor, helping retailers reduce queues, support assisted selling, and offer more flexible in-store experiences.

payments integration

Find out more here: Ingenico partners with Toshiba.

Mastercard, Visa, and Revolut Lose Challenge Against UK Fee Cap

Mastercard, Visa, and Revolut have failed to overturn the UK regulator’s proposed cap on cross-border card fees. This marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of card scheme pricing.

 

While the payments firms argued the cap could limit investment and innovation, the ruling supports the regulator’s view that fee increases following Brexit risk harming UK merchants.

The Payments Association Publishes Policy Recommendations for the UK

The Payments Association has released its ‘Payments Manifesto’, outlining policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the UK payments ecosystem.

 

Key proposals include calls for greater responsibility from social media platforms in tackling fraud, clearer regulatory coordination, and sustained investment in payments infrastructure to support growth and innovation.

Contactless

FCA to Introduce Greater Flexibility on Contactless Limits

The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed plans to allow banks and payment providers more flexibility in setting contactless payment limits from March 2026.

 

Rather than enforcing a single, universal cap, firms will be able to tailor limits based on customer preferences, risk controls, and fraud prevention capabilities. The FCA believes advances in payment technology and real-time monitoring now allow for a more nuanced approach than before.

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: December 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: December 2025

As we close out the year, the UK payments landscape continues to evolve at pace — shaped by shifting consumer expectations, new wallet strategies from major players, and growing recognition that payment choice is now a core driver of revenue rather than just a checkout feature.

Payment Choice Now Drives Purchasing Decisions

New Access Paysuite research confirms that payment choice is becoming one of the strongest predictors of customer conversion in the UK.

 

According to the study, nearly half of consumers say they have abandoned a purchase because their preferred payment method wasn’t available. The data highlights a wider trend we see across retail and subscription businesses: customers increasingly expect seamless choice — from direct bank payments and digital wallets, to traditional card rails.

 

The report also notes rising comfort with alternative payment methods, particularly among younger demographics who expect low-friction, mobile-first experiences. For merchants, the takeaway is clear: offering a broad range of payment options is no longer a “nice to have” but a key differentiator, which directly influences revenue, loyalty, and customer satisfaction.

Payment Systems

Lloyds and Curve: the Future of Digital Wallets

Lloyds Banking Group’s acquisition of Curve highlights a growing belief among incumbent banks that digital wallets will become ubiquitous in everyday banking and payments.

 

Rather than competing head-on with big tech wallets, Lloyds is backing Curve’s model as an aggregation and orchestration layer, which sits above cards and accounts. Curve allows customers to consolidate multiple payment cards into a single app, control how transactions are routed, and access enhanced features such as spend tracking, switching payment sources after purchase, and integrated rewards.

The acquisition reflects a strategic shift: banks recognising that customer engagement increasingly happens at the payment interface, not just within traditional current accounts. By acquiring Curve, Lloyds gains a ready-made wallet platform that can evolve independently of legacy banking infrastructure, while still benefiting from bank-grade trust, scale, and regulatory oversight.

 

Find out more here: Lloyds and Curve: betting on the future of digital wallets.

Merry Christmas!

We’d like to express our sincere thanks to all our clients, partners, and friends across the payments industry.

 

At Polar Moment, we remain committed to bringing clarity, expertise, and technical excellence to every engagement. Thank you for the trust you place in us.

 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a successful year ahead.

 

The Polar Moment team.

Christmas

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: November 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: November 2025

Welcome to the November edition of Payments Perspective, where we explore new partnerships, markets, and advancements in the world of payments.

Worldline & Deliverect Partner to Power Self-Ordering Kiosks in the UK

Worldline and Deliverect have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of self-ordering kiosks across the UK hospitality sector.

The collaboration integrates Deliverect’s order management software with Worldline’s payment technology, enabling restaurants, cafés, and quick-service restaurant operators to offer customers a smoother, fully integrated kiosk experience — from menu browsing through to payment.

With meeting increasing consumer preference for self-service and realising operational efficiencies becoming critical for hospitality businesses, this partnership signals continued momentum towards digitised, autonomous ordering.

wordline
paypal

PayPal Returns to the UK Market

PayPal has re-entered the UK market with a refreshed approach to its payments offering. After stepping back from certain UK operations in previous years, the company is now returning with an updated product strategy designed to improve consumer experience and support merchants more effectively.

 

PayPal’s renewed focus includes simplified onboarding, enhanced checkout functionality, and a stronger commitment to UK-based regulatory compliance. This move strengthens competition in the UK payments ecosystem and reinforces PayPal’s goal of remaining a key player in both domestic and international ecommerce.

Find out more here: PayPal returns to the UK.

Visa & Partners Complete the UK’s First A2A cVRP Transaction

Visa, in collaboration with several partners, has completed the UK’s first account-to-account (A2A) consumer-controlled variable recurring payment (cVRP) transaction — a milestone for the advancement of open banking payments.

 

Unlike traditional VRPs, cVRPs give consumers full control to manage, pause, or cancel recurring payment instructions directly from their banking apps. This development signals a major step forward in improving transparency, user control, and payment efficiency.

 

For merchants, cVRPs present a compelling alternative to direct debits and card-on-file billing — offering lower fees, real-time settlement, and fewer chargebacks.

visa

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: October 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: October 2025

Welcome to the October edition of Payments Perspective, where we explore the latest developments shaping the payments landscape. This month, we’re seeing momentum in mobile-first commerce, from the rise of Android POS terminals and BNPL wallets, to Revolut and SumUp expanding into merchant banking.

UK Businesses Embrace Android POS Terminals

According to new research, UK merchants are rapidly adopting Android-based point-of-sale (POS) terminals, shifting towards more open, flexible, and connected retail payment systems. These devices combine payment acceptance with business management tools, customer insights, and integrations — all on a single, user-friendly platform.

 

Unlike legacy terminals that rely on proprietary hardware and software, Android POS solutions offer a versatile ecosystem that can host a wide range of applications, from inventory tracking to loyalty schemes. For small and medium-sized retailers, this means faster upgrades, easier software deployment, and reduced costs.

Android-terminal
BNPL

BNPL Wallets Are Redefining Retail Payments

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) wallets are evolving beyond checkout finance into a new retail payment category in their own right.

Once positioned mainly as a credit tool, BNPL is now being integrated directly into digital wallets. This enables consumers to split payments seamlessly across online and in-store channels. For retailers, this means higher conversion rates and average order values. It also means new competition for traditional card networks and issuers.

Industry analysts predict that BNPL wallets will soon sit alongside debit and credit cards as a standard payment option, driven by consumer demand for flexibility and transparent repayment terms. Regulators are watching closely, pushing for responsible lending and clear disclosure practices to protect consumers as adoption rises.

 

Find out more here: How Are Mobile Wallets Reshaping UK Retail Payments?

Revolut and SumUp Move Closer to Full-Service Banking

Fintechs Revolut and SumUp are each advancing plans to secure banking licences: Revolut in the UK and SumUp in both the EU and UK. This signals a clear convergence between digital payments and retail banking.

 

For both companies, the goal is to expand their ecosystems beyond payments into deposit accounts, lending, and savings products. Revolut continues to await final approval from UK regulators, while SumUp is preparing simultaneous applications across jurisdictions.

Contactless Payment
Merchant Services Procurement

RelyComply Expands Fraud Prevention Capabilities in the UK

RelyComply has announced an expansion of its fraud and financial crime prevention services in the UK. The expansion includes advanced fraud detection tools and AI-driven monitoring designed to help financial institutions to meet their regulatory obligations with low operational overheads.

 

RelyComply’s solutions now incorporate behavioural analytics and real-time risk scoring. This gives firms the ability to detect suspicious activity faster and with greater accuracy.

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: September 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: September 2025

Welcome to the September edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. This month we focus on rising fraud pressures in the UK, expanded payment options, and infrastructure upgrades strengthening the financial ecosystem.

Mangopay Research Highlights UK as a Fraud Hotspot

New research from Mangopay shows UK online platforms are experiencing record levels of fraud. As a consequence, fraud checks in the UK have increased 48% year-on-year, surpassing 400 million checks per month in 2025.

 

Travel, fintech, and gaming platforms are the most targeted, with attacks often timed around promotional campaigns and peak booking periods. The findings underline the urgent need for robust fraud detection and prevention strategies across UK digital commerce.

Mangopay

Revolut Introduces Pay by Bank to Its Payment Gateway

Revolut has added Pay by Bank functionality to its payment gateway, allowing merchants to accept payments directly from customers’ bank accounts. Available immediately in the UK and several European markets, this feature aims to reduce fraud and chargebacks while providing customers with faster, more secure payments.

 

Transactions are authorised through users’ banking apps, enabling instant fund transfers and fewer disputes.

Judopay Partners with Shift4 to Optimise UK Merchant Payments

Judopay has entered a strategic partnership with Shift4 to enhance payment solutions for UK merchants. Shift4 will act as Judopay’s preferred payment partner, offering unified commerce, enterprise-grade point-of-sale solutions, and embedded ecommerce capabilities.

 

The collaboration supports sectors including utilities, financial services, and travel, giving merchants access to scalable and compliant payment infrastructure.

bank-of-England

Bank of England & Accenture Renew Real-Time Gross Settlement Service

The Bank of England and Accenture have renewed the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) service, focusing on updating the UK’s wholesale payments infrastructure. The partnership will enhance resilience, functionality, and access, while laying the foundation for future digital innovation.

 

Regulatory compliance and evolving client needs will also be prioritised.

FCA to Allow Banks to Set Their Own Contactless Payment Limits

The FCA has shifted its stance on contactless payment limits. It will now allow card providers to decide their own limits for customers.

 

While many banks already offer tools to adjust or disable contactless, the regulator is encouraging wider adoption of flexible options. With smarter fraud controls and modern technology, the FCA believes this approach will deliver more convenience and tailored solutions for customers, though immediate changes are not expected.

Contactless

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: August 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: August 2025

Welcome to the August edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. This month’s stories include: securing new infrastructure against fraud, empowering startups with AI, and streamlining open banking payments.

Securing Unattended Payments for Electric Vehicle Charging

Unattended payment terminals are becoming prime targets for increasingly sophisticated fraudsters. This is especially true for EV charging. Vulnerabilities include outdated software, unprotected enclosures, and insecure payment flows — issues reminiscent of the early days of card payments.

 

In Planet Payment’s latest blog post, Polar Moment director, John Rozek, explores why unattended chargers are prime fraud targets, how modern criminals exploit them, and what operators can do to defend their infrastructure — before trust and revenue are lost.

EV Charging
NatWest AI

NatWest & Google Cloud Partner to Power UK Startups with AI

NatWest Group has teamed up with Google Cloud to give access to advanced AI tools, cloud infrastructure, and expert-led training to UK startups. This aligns with research showing that 92% of “future-ready” businesses use data analysis to guide key decisions. They are also nearly twice as likely to have implemented AI as their peers.

 

In addition to hands-on training, eligible startups will receive Google Cloud credits to help them build, test, and scale AI-driven solutions on secure infrastructure. The collaboration also features the £1 million NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition to identify and support the next wave of UK innovators.

Payit & Prommt Enhance Open Banking Payments

Payit, NatWest’s open banking solution, has partnered with Prommt to deliver faster, more secure, and more cost-effective payment journeys for businesses. The integration allows merchants to send branded, pay-by-link requests via SMS, email, or web. It provides real-time notifications, instant fund confirmation, and improved reconciliation.


By combining Payit’s direct bank-to-bank payments with Prommt’s orchestration layer, businesses can dynamically choose the best payment method (Pay by Bank or card) based on transaction value. The solution reduces costs by avoiding card scheme fees. It boosts conversion rates with a streamlined customer experience, and improves security with bank-authenticated payments and confirmation of the payee.

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: July 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: July 2025

Welcome to the July edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. This month’s newsletter spotlights major regulatory momentum, infrastructure strategy, and new anti-fraud measures in the UK payments sector. Here’s what you need to know:

PSR Annual Report Highlights Strategic Delivery

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has published its 2024/25 annual report, reflecting a pivotal year as it reached the halfway point in its five-year strategy. The report emphasises progress in fraud prevention, competition, and payments innovation. PSR Chair, Aidene Walsh, reaffirmed the organisation’s alignment with the National Payments Vision and commitment to smart, proportionate regulation to support UK economic growth.

PSR
Payments Vision

Payments Vision Delivery Committee Outlines Next-Generation Infrastructure Model

The UK’s Payments Vision Delivery Committee has introduced a new model for the design and delivery of the next generation of retail payments infrastructure. It assigns strategic leadership to the committee, design to the Bank of England-chaired Retail Payments Infrastructure board, and delivery to a new industry-led company. Pay.UK will continue operating current systems, with efforts also underway to enhance the Faster Payments system. The committee will publish its full strategy this autumn, along with a Payments Forward plan by year-end.

Mastercard Launches A2A Protect to Tackle APP Fraud

Mastercard has introduced “A2A Protect,” a new tool designed to bolster trust in account-to-account (A2A) payments. Focused initially on mitigating authorised push payment fraud, the solution blends fraud prevention with a clear dispute resolution process. Future phases will extend protection to cover a broader range of use cases, including non-delivery of goods and services. The launch is aimed at giving banks the tools to provide consumers with confidence and security in open banking payments.

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: June 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: June 2025

Welcome to the June edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. Here’s what stood out in the payments landscape this month.

FCA and NVIDIA Partner to Advance AI Experimentation in Finance

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has partnered with tech giant NVIDIA to provide a secure and collaborative environment where financial institutions can test and experiment with AI models. The initiative is part of the FCA’s Digital Sandbox programme. This aims to accelerate responsible AI adoption in the financial sector. Participants can use NVIDIA’s cloud-native platform to explore machine learning models with a focus on regulatory compliance, data protection, and transparency.

NatWest AI

allpay and PAYA Group to Support UK Charities with Cash-Handling Services

In a joint effort to support the UK charity sector, allpay and PAYA Group have launched a suite of cash-handling solutions to simplify donations and improve operational efficiency. The collaboration will help charities access convenient, secure, and auditable ways to manage cash donations, ensuring funds are processed and settled with minimal overhead. This move is particularly important as charities balance increasing demand with limited resources.

Visa’s Pay by Bank Now Fully Operational in the UK

Visa’s Pay by Bank service has gone fully live in the UK, allowing consumers to make secure payments directly from their bank accounts without the need for card details. This account-to-account payment method is designed to reduce friction and cost for merchants, while offering consumers more control over their transactions. With strong potential to challenge traditional card payments, Pay by Bank supports real-time settlement and open banking capabilities.

Pay-by-Bank

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Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: May 2025

Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: May 2025

Welcome to the May edition of Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective. This month we look at a shift in consumer payment behaviour, new regulations for BNPL, and retail cyber resilience.

Younger UK Consumers Prefer Cashless, Says SumUp

UK-based payments firm SumUp reports a continued decline in cash usage, especially among younger consumers. The data shows that Gen Z and millennials are leading the move toward digital payments. Contactless payments and mobile wallets are gaining traction in small business and retail environments.

SumUp highlights that these trends reflect broader societal shifts toward speed, convenience, and transparency. Merchants are increasingly responding with support for multiple digital channels. Rural areas are also seeing greater uptake as infrastructure improves. Find out more here: ‘SumUp Anticipates Rise in Digital Payment Methods as Younger UK Consumers Ditch Cash’.

BNPL

UK Government to Tame the BNPL 'Wild West'

The UK Government is fast-tracking new regulations aimed at reining in the rapidly expanding Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) market. Following years of debate, ministers have pledged to introduce rules that will bring BNPL under formal regulatory oversight, requiring credit checks and clearer disclosures for consumers.

The move responds to growing concerns about unsustainable borrowing, particularly among younger and lower-income users. The Financial Conduct Authority is expected to play a key role in overseeing the new regime, with draft legislation set to be published in the coming weeks. Find out more here: ‘UK Government to rush through new rules to tame BNPL ‘wild west’’.

Cyber Resilience in Retail

The recent cyberattack on Marks & Spencer has disrupted digital services for weeks and highlighted the growing threat to retail payment infrastructure. In our latest blog, we share four practical steps that retailers can take to strengthen their cyber resilience and protect customer trust.

cyber resilience

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