EPI, Bancomat and SIBS-MB WAY Complete QR Payment Trial Across 3 Networks
Updated
Updated · startupfortune.com · May 21
EPI, Bancomat and SIBS-MB WAY Complete QR Payment Trial Across 3 Networks
1 articles · Updated · startupfortune.com · May 21
April 2026 testing showed Bancomat, SIBS-MB WAY and EPI could process QR-code person-to-merchant payments across their separate national networks, a concrete step beyond Europe’s earlier policy pledges.
The proof of concept uses an interoperability hub rather than a single new wallet, letting consumers keep domestic apps while paying merchants in another country through shared European infrastructure.
The push follows a February 2 MoU linking Wero, Bizum, Bancomat, MB WAY and Vipps MobilePay across a 13-country roadmap reaching about 130 million users.
Wero gives the effort added weight: the app has topped 50 million registered users and processed more than €7.5 billion in transfers since its 2024 launch.
Cross-border peer-to-peer payments are due in 2026, with broader e-commerce and point-of-sale use in 2027, as Europe tries to build leverage against Visa and Mastercard rather than replace them outright.
Is Europe's new payment system a shield against the US or a gift to its own big banks?
Can Wero's promise of low fees survive the hidden costs of its new buyer protection rules?
European Cross-Border QR Payments Go Live: 50 Million Users, Full Coverage by 2027
Overview
Europe is transforming its financial landscape by building a unified, interoperable system for cross-border QR payments. This evolution began with a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2026, bringing together major European payment initiatives like the Wero initiative and the EuroPA Alliance. Their joint effort aims to create a shared payment infrastructure that connects existing national brands, rather than replacing them, to ensure seamless transactions across borders. This collaborative approach is a strategic response to global players such as Visa and Mastercard, prioritizing interoperability and leveraging the trust and habits already established within local banking systems.