The Fintech Brief Newsletter | MPE Berlin Recap: What’s Really Driving Fintech in 2025

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Editor’s Pick 📌

🔥 5 Hot Takes from MPE Berlin You Can’t Ignore
By Per Dahlqvist, Director of Business Development at Liberis

We sifted through the noise at MPE—here’s what really matters:

1. If You’re Not Embedding, You’re Falling Behind
Embedded finance isn’t a “nice to have” anymore—it’s survival. Lending, insurance, and banking features are now expected.

2. Real-Time Payments Are Speeding Up
Europe is leading the way with SEPA Instant, and it’s spilling over into merchant payouts, e-commerce, and the gig economy. Instant is the new standard.

3. Data Sharing = Smarter Money Moves
Data-sharing between PSPs, acquirers, and lenders is streamlining pre-approvals and cutting friction. Those who share, win.

4. Merchants Want More Than Just Transactions
Payments are just the starting point. Cash flow tools, capital access, and analytics are becoming the real value drivers.

5. AI Is Great—If It Works
Underwriting, fraud prevention, and tailored engagement—AI that delivers ROI is in, AI that’s just noise is out.

👉 The future of payments is here. Are you ready to keep up?

Industry Trends & Innovation 💡

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

Embedded Finance Enhances Customer Loyalty Through Seamless Financial Integration

Faced with the challenge of traditional lending's cumbersome processes, businesses are gravitating towards solutions offering faster, tailored funding experiences. As a result, companies integrating embedded finance can transform customer acquisition into robust loyalty loops, providing a seamless, frictionless experience inline with SMB expectations.

Key strategies for 2025 include tailoring financial solutions, ensuring seamless integration within platforms, and expanding into broader ecosystems. Leveraging data, businesses can predict and meet customer needs with precision, fostering loyalty through enhanced and personalised interactions. By embedding financial services like co-branded cards and flexible payments into familiar environments, platforms not only streamline funding cycles but also establish stronger, enduring relationships with their SMB clientele. Embracing these innovations, they stand poised to achieve sustained growth and remain competitive.

DIGITAL PAYMENTS

US Mobile Payments Market poised for rapid growth with digital adoption.

Contactless payments and digital wallets are gaining ground in the US, as more consumers and businesses turn to mobile-first options. With better smartphone security and rising comfort with cashless transactions, this shift is expected to continue, particularly as eCommerce and peer-to-peer services expand.

EMBEDDED FINANCE EVOLUTION

Traditional banks embrace embedded finance to enhance client and merchant relationships.

Traditional banks, like J.P. Morgan Chase and Citi, are leveraging embedded finance to enhance client relationships by integrating financial services within existing platforms. By building on their infrastructure, they address modern business needs, making financial services more accessible while maintaining relevance in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

FINTECH DEVELOPMENTS

Fintech trends of 2025 include AI, blockchain, DeFi, RegTech, and neobanks.

The fintech landscape in 2025 is set to undergo significant transformations owing to trends like AI-driven solutions enhancing customer experiences and improving risk management, blockchain advancements offering increased transparency and efficiency, and the growth of neobanks providing more flexible, customer-centric banking options. Staying informed ensures readiness for these developing changes.

BANKING TECHNOLOGY

Banks slowly improve satisfaction with core tech, seek ideal provider fit.

The ABA survey reveals that bank satisfaction with core technology providers is gradually improving, yet remains low, underscoring the challenge in aligning provider capabilities with bank strategies. Banks are urged to evaluate core solutions critically to ensure they support broader technology and business objectives and are prepared for future demands.

STABLECOIN INNOVATIONS

Stablecoins reshape global finance, merging traditional systems with blockchain innovations.

Stablecoins are gaining attention as a bridge between traditional banking and blockchain-based payments. With benefits like near-instant settlement and improved cross-border capabilities, they’re being explored as a tool for modernising global payments. However, adoption will depend on how financial institutions manage compliance and mitigate risks.

FINTECH INNOVATION

Alona Shevtsova unveils AI and payment innovations at Pay360 Conference.

At the upcoming Pay360 Conference, Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova will share how AI is being used to tackle fraud and streamline digital payment systems. With more providers focused on improving security and operational efficiency, events like Pay360 highlight what’s next for financial institutions adapting to a fast-moving payments environment.