The global remittance market is worth over $700 billion. And one fintech is making bold moves to become a dominant player. Here’s how Lemfi’s latest acquisition is setting the stage for its European takeover: Expanding across Europe isn’t easy. Strict regulations make it tough for fintechs to operate across multiple countries. Lemfi already had a British license after acquiring RightCard in 2021. But that wasn't enough. The license didn’t cover transactions in the European Economic Area (EEA). To scale across Europe, Lemfi needed a new solution. So they made a strategic move. They acquired Bureau Buttercrane. An Irish currency exchange platform, gaining a key license from the Central Bank of Ireland. This unlocks passporting rights, allowing Lemfi to operate across all EEA countries. Why does this matter? Ridwan Olalere, Lemfi’s CEO, says: "This was a strategic acquisition to ensure smooth and compliant operations across Europe." Now, LemFi can process payments seamlessly across Europe. Just 21 days before the deal closed, Lemfi announced partnering with Modulr to operate in Europe temporarily. But the long-term plan was always to secure direct approval from Ireland’s regulator. That approval came fast—thanks to a strong team and previous regulatory credibility. Now, Lemfi is making Dublin its European HQ, hiring local staff. Building relationships with regulators. They’re already processing $1B in monthly payment volume globally—and now they’re targeting Europe’s $64B remittance market. More here via TechCabal:
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Offering an insight into the many aspects of the #payments industry that were impacted by the recent period of market turmoil, check out the key findings of a recent report revealing global payment leaders’ views: https://bit.ly/4dgQi62
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The Growing Challenges of Cross-Border Transactions In 2024, cross-border payments remain a cornerstone of the global economy, facilitating international trade, remittances, and e-commerce. However, the infrastructure supporting these transactions is fraught with inefficiencies, making it a massive problem affecting billions globally. The Scope of the Problem Exorbitant Costs Cross-border transactions cost an average of 6–8% of the transfer amount, disproportionately impacting low-income individuals and small businesses. For context, global remittances were valued at $540 billion in 2023—meaning billions are lost annually to fees. Delays in Transactions Traditional banking systems often take days to settle cross-border payments. In today’s instant-economy, this delay creates cash flow issues for businesses and frustration for individuals. Limited Accessibility Nearly 1.7 billion people remain unbanked, with no access to affordable cross-border solutions. Even for those with bank accounts, many face geographical restrictions. Fragmented Systems Different regulations and compliance standards across countries create friction, making it difficult to transfer money seamlessly. Businesses face hurdles in scaling operations internationally due to these complexities. Inefficient Trade Financing Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up a significant portion of global trade, are often excluded from efficient cross-border financing solutions due to high costs and stringent requirements. Impact on the Global Economy Stifled Economic Growth: High costs and inefficiencies slow down the pace of global commerce, reducing economic opportunities for individuals and businesses. Unrealized Potential: Cross-border e-commerce, valued at $3.3 trillion in 2023, continues to grow, but its full potential is held back by inadequate payment systems. Exclusion of Developing Nations: Developing economies, which rely heavily on remittance inflows, lose substantial value to transfer fees. This impacts millions of families reliant on international financial support. The Way Forward Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions. Emerging fintech platforms and blockchain-based systems are stepping up to modernize cross-border payments, offering reduced fees, faster transactions, and greater accessibility. Collaboration between regulators, banks, and fintech companies will be crucial to solving these global challenges. The world is at a pivotal moment where creating seamless, affordable, and accessible cross-border solutions is not just a business opportunity but a necessity for equitable growth. Credits to Hua Li Biptap is the solution to all this. Full article here:
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💡 The UK’s Payments Revolution is Here! 🚀 The UK government has unveiled an ambitious strategy to transform payments. This vision focuses on: 🌐 Driving digital innovation with technologies like open banking 📈 Boosting competition to create a dynamic ecosystem 🤝 Ensuring financial inclusion and stronger protections for consumers By modernizing infrastructure and embracing innovation, the UK aims to lead the global payments evolution. What opportunities do you see in this bold strategy? Let’s discuss! 👇 #Payments #Fintech #OpenBanking #Innovation #FutureOfPayments #GlobalFinance
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The UK remittance market plays a vital role in supporting families and communities globally. However, the industry faces several challenges that demand innovative solutions. Here are some key points to consider: Navigating complex and ever-changing regulations across borders creates hurdles for remittance service providers. As remittance flows grow, so do concerns about money laundering and other financial crimes. Robust security and compliance systems are crucial. High transaction costs remain an issue, impacting both senders and receivers. New approaches are needed to make remittances more affordable. Embracing digital solutions is essential. However, for money remittance companies, implementing new technologies can be costly and complex. Shifting Landscape: The rise of African remittance corridors requires adaptation from existing players and opens doors for new entrants. The high cost of building independent compliance systems necessitates partnerships with fintechs or third-party services. Exchange rate volatility can significantly impact the value of remittances. Mitigating this risk is crucial! These challenges highlight the need for ongoing innovation, collaboration between money remittance companies and fintechs, and a regulatory environment that fosters a secure, compliant, and accessible remittance market in the UK.
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Payments solutions are evolving rapidly. Today, there are payment processors that specialize in efficient, transparent cross-border payments for SMEs. The faster these transactions settle, the less concern there is around exchange rates, allowing businesses to leverage more reliable and timely transactions. Companies offering innovative financial services to SMEs stand to increase revenue and cement their competitive position. The B2B payments market is expected to reach $174.3 trillion by 2030, and local banks have a significant opportunity to capitalize on this growth. Read more: https://ow.ly/7yVI50UQlOB #payments #crossborder #globalpayments #internationalpayments #smallbusiness
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In the rapidly evolving world of financial technology, the Remittance Association Singapore (RAS) stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. By forging strategic partnerships with fintech companies, banks, and regulatory bodies, RAS is not just keeping pace with change but driving it, creating a remittance ecosystem that is as robust as it is efficient. Imagine a world where sending money across borders is as simple and instantaneous as sending a text message. This is the vision RAS is bringing to life through its collaboration with cutting-edge fintech companies. But RAS’s vision extends beyond technology; it’s about integrating these innovations into a trusted financial framework. This is where their partnerships with traditional banks come into play. By collaborating with established financial institutions, RAS ensures that these advanced technologies are seamlessly woven into the fabric of traditional banking. This synergy creates a user experience that is both cutting-edge and secure, offering consumers the best of both worlds. Equally important is RAS’s role in regulatory collaboration. Navigating the complex landscape of financial regulations is crucial for the sustainability of any remittance service. RAS works hand-in-hand with regulatory bodies to craft frameworks that balance innovation with compliance. This proactive approach not only safeguards consumers but also fosters an environment where new technologies can flourish without compromising security. Through workshops, joint ventures, and continuous dialogue, RAS brings together the brightest minds from fintech, banking, and regulatory sectors. This collaborative spirit is at the heart of RAS’s mission to redefine the remittance industry. By promoting a culture of innovation and cooperation, RAS is ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of global financial technology. RAS is more than a facilitator; it is a catalyst for change. Its strategic partnerships are weaving a new narrative for the remittance industry - one where technology and tradition coalesce to offer unparalleled efficiency, security, and customer satisfaction. The future of remittance is here, and RAS is leading the charge. #RemittanceAssociation #RAS #SecureRemittance #FinancialSafety #ConsumerProtection #SafeTransactions #RemittanceSecurity #FinancialEducation #CommunitySafety #ProtectConsumers #RemittanceIndustry #FinancialInnovation #ScamPrevention #TrustInTransactions #RemittanceLeaders #ModernMoneyServices #RASInitiatives #SafeMoneyTransfers
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The payments industry is undergoing rapid modernisation to stay current with digitally transforming economies and address rising end-user expectations. Customers are now asking for real-time payments for daily domestic and cross border payments, such as bill payments, or cross-border payments involving different currencies. Despite ongoing efforts by payment regulators and industry bodies across geographies to achieve payments speed and transparency, consumers still perceive a lag in the real-time payments promise. Instant payments are now an area of focus for payment regulators in the western markets, after gaining acceptance among consumers in APAC https://lnkd.in/dba7faGS
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India's international payments ecosystem is undergoing a dynamic transformation, bringing renewed optimism as we kickstart the new year. Our co-founder, Anand Balaji, shares how innovation and streamlined regulations are making cross-border payments faster and more affordable for Indian businesses. Read his insights in CXOToday: https://lnkd.in/dJ__6pbr #CrossBorderPayments #FinTech #IndianStartups #Innovation #2025
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In a recent article in CXOToday, Xflow co-founder and CEO Anand Balaji talks about how cross-border payments are powering the future of global commerce and India's role in this revolution (link to the article is in the comments section). Anand spells out how the cross-border payments market, valued at $190.1 trillion in 2023, is projected to soar to $290.2 trillion by 2030, driven by the rapid expansion of global trade and digital transactions. However, this growth comes with its challenges, including high costs, settlement delays, and currency volatility. Here’s how the industry is transforming: 🔹 Digital Payment Solutions: Streamlining processes with competitive exchange rates, transparent pricing, and faster settlements, helping businesses reduce overhead and improve cash flow. 🔹 Tackling Currency Volatility: Advanced FX management tools are enabling businesses to safeguard profit margins and navigate fluctuating exchange rates. 🔹 Addressing Operational Barriers: Emerging technologies are bridging logistical gaps, creating unified payment infrastructures, and expanding access to underserved markets. India’s Role in the Revolution 🇮🇳 India’s fintech ecosystem and initiatives like UPI are setting global benchmarks for scalable, low-cost solutions. With international integrations and a robust remittance network, the country is driving innovation in cross-border payments. The future of cross-border payments lies in transforming challenges into opportunities by fostering efficiency, trust, and inclusion in the global economy. 💡 Read the article and let me know your thoughts! #CrossBorderCommerce #Fintech #Innovation
India's international payments ecosystem is undergoing a dynamic transformation, bringing renewed optimism as we kickstart the new year. Our co-founder, Anand Balaji, shares how innovation and streamlined regulations are making cross-border payments faster and more affordable for Indian businesses. Read his insights in CXOToday: https://lnkd.in/dJ__6pbr #CrossBorderPayments #FinTech #IndianStartups #Innovation #2025
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[WORLD] In a groundbreaking move, British fintech Wise has gained direct access to Japan's bank payment clearing network, becoming the first foreign firm to do so. #WiseJapan #FintechInnovation #GlobalRemittances #JapaneseBanking #CrossBorderPayments https://lnkd.in/gU4z26BE
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