Riva Money recently attended this year's Money 20/20 conference in Amsterdam — one of the most important gatherings for leaders and innovators in the global payments space.
The event made one thing clear: the industry is moving fast, with new players challenging legacy models and innovation accelerating across every layer of the ecosystem.
Here are five reflections from our Co-founder and CEO, Niklas Hoejman, on where things are heading — and what's driving the shift.
• Pressure on legacy cross-border infrastructure
There is a widespread dissatisfaction with SWIFT-based banking models, especially among SMEs and businesses operating outside Europe. New entrants are leveraging alternative payment rails to disintermediate traditional players.
• Cross-border innovation
Blockchain and its standout use case, stablecoins, are redrawing the global payments map. New entrants like Riva Money are building faster, cheaper, and more transparent alternatives — while many incumbents remain tied to legacy rails, SWIFT dependencies, and slow-moving correspondent networks.
• FX and transparency
FX conversion practices are under scrutiny - particularly in remittances where hidden fees and opaque spreads are still common. With customers demanding mid-market rates and upfront pricing, fintechs offering clarity and fairness in FX pricing will stand out in an increasingly regulated and competitive landscape.
• Real-time tracking is increasingly expected
Visibility into where a payment sits at any point from A to B is becoming a standard requirement. It's not just about speed — it's about enabling more efficient internal operations by reducing time spent chasing payment statuses across institutions and jurisdictions.
• Balancing risk and innovation in onboarding
In the age of AI, fraud risks in onboarding and identity verification are growing fast — but so are the solutions. Providers are pushing the envelope in real-time verification and fraud detection, making KYC/B and AML both smarter and more user-friendly.
