The Payments Blog

Let’s be honest: when most people in banking and fintech hear the term "ISO 20022," they don’t exactly jump for joy. It usually sounds like another expensive compliance headache, a mandatory box to tick, or a technical migration that’s going to keep the IT team up until 3:00 AM for six months straight. But here at RivaTech Consulting, we see things a bit differently. The shift to ISO 20022 isn't just about satisfying a regulator or keeping up with the SWIFT migration timeline

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the payment landscape lately, you’ll know that the old "just get me the lowest rate" pitch is officially dead. As we move deeper into 2024 and look toward 2026, the game has shifted. It’s no longer just about having the broadest coverage; it’s about who can provide the most value outside of the actual transaction. Dwayne Gefferie recently broke down the 'Payments Strategy 2026', and the insights are a wake-up call for anyone in the merchant ac

If you’ve ever stood in a queue in a charming European bistro only to be told they "don't take credit cards," you’ve experienced the fragmented reality of European payments. For decades, Europe has been a patchwork of domestic debit schemes and cash-heavy holdouts, all while Visa and Mastercard: the American giants: quietly ran the plumbing in the background. But something is shifting. The European Payments Initiative (EPI) is no longer just a boardroom PowerPoint presentatio

If you still think of Mastercard as just a "credit card company," you’re looking at a version of the financial world that’s rapidly disappearing in the rearview mirror. Based on the recent deep-dive analysis by Dwayne Gefferie, Mastercard’s 2026 strategy isn't just a slight pivot: it’s a massive, three-dimensional repositioning. They are moving away from the crowded, commoditised domestic markets of the West and doubling down on three specific pillars: International, Digital,

If you work in fintech, the release of Stripe’s annual letter is basically our version of the Super Bowl: except with more charts and fewer halftime shows. This year’s letter, penned by the Collison brothers, didn't just drop a few stats; it essentially outlined the new blueprint for the global economy. At RivaTech, we spend our days helping businesses navigate the messy world of payments and digital transformation. When a single company starts processing 1.3% of the world's

You paid an influencer. The post went viral. The likes rolled in. The comments were buzzing. Your follower count jumped. But did anyone actually buy anything from your shop? If you run a brick-and-mortar store, whether it's a café, boutique, or retail space, you've probably asked yourself this exact question. And if you're honest, you've probably just shrugged and said, "I think it worked?" That's the problem. You shouldn't have to guess. The Frustration: "I Spent $2,000 a

Here's the thing: your customers aren't just scrolling TikTok or Instagram for entertainment anymore. They're shopping. And if you're not ready to meet them where they are, then send them smoothly into your store or checkout, you're leaving money on the table. Welcome to the era of the Social POS , where social media isn't just a marketing channel. It's your storefront, your salesperson, and your inventory system all rolled into one. And it's happening whether you're ready or

If you're running a fintech, startup, or any business that moves money across borders, you've probably heard the buzz about stablecoins. They promise faster settlements, lower fees, and 24/7 liquidity. Sounds amazing, right? But here's the thing: the rules of the game changed dramatically when the GENIUS Act landed in the US. And if you're thinking about building a stablecoin treasury strategy in 2026, you need to know exactly what you're dealing with. Let's break down the 10