Polar Moment’s Payments Perspective: October 2025

October 29, 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.

Find out more here: UK Businesses Embrace Android POS Systems for Faster Smarter Payments.

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.

Read more on Revolut here: Revolut faces new delays in obtaining full UK banking licence.

Read more on SumUp here: SumUp prepares EU and UK banking licence applications.

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.

Find out more here: RelyComply expands its fraud prevention services in the UK.

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