Money20/20 Europe 2025 – The next era of financial services
Attending Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam earlier this month offered a timely reminder of the rapid pace of change in financial services, and how Europe is leading the way in shaping what comes next.
Over three packed days at the RAI Amsterdam, the focus extended far beyond payments and fintech. Key themes included infrastructure, partnerships and regulation, areas that are quietly but decisively redefining the rules of engagement. Here are some of the key trends and what they could mean for UK firms.
1. AI is becoming part of the core infrastructure
While artificial intelligence was a dominant theme, the conversation has moved beyond hype. AI is now being embedded into the core operating models of financial institutions, supporting fraud detection, personalisation and operational efficiency.
Initiatives like Deutsche Bank and Mastercard’s collaboration to integrate “Pay by Bank” A2A payments reflect the shift from experimentation to real-world application. The UK challenge is no longer whether to use AI, but how to scale it responsibly, with the right governance in place.
2. From open banking to open finance
There is a clear evolution from compliance-led open banking to commercially driven open finance. Infrastructure is maturing, and monetisation is starting to take shape. Platforms are now building revenue-generating services, from payments and lending to data insights, on top of established API frameworks.
For UK firms, the opportunity lies not only in participating in open ecosystems, but in owning a meaningful share of the value chain.
3. Stablecoins are moving mainstream
Stablecoins are no longer niche. They featured heavily in conversations across the event, particularly as a solution for efficient cross-border payments. With Markets in Cryto-Assets (MiCA) providing regulatory clarity, firms such as BVNK are advancing real use cases for tokenised payments.
Digital currencies are becoming viable tools in payment and treasury operations. Now is the time for UK firms to assess potential pilot projects in this space.
4. Co-creation is the new model for bank, fintech collaboration
Partnerships are maturing. Instead of surface-level integrations, we’re seeing true co-creation, where banks and fintechs design and build solutions together. Visa and Klarna’s BNPL debit card and Enfuce and Shuttel’s mobility product are strong examples.
For the UK, traditionally a leader in fintech, this is a reminder to evolve our approach and deepen collaborative capabilities. Co-building is no longer optional, it’s the default.
5. Regulation is setting strategic direction
From Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3) and MiCA to the digital euro and enhanced GDPR, regulation is clearly shaping innovation across the continent. Europe is designing frameworks that foster competitive growth while ensuring control and stability.
For UK firms operating in or with the EU, alignment with these regulatory shifts is essential, not just to mitigate risk, but to seize opportunity early.
6. Inclusion is now part of core strategy
It was encouraging to see diversity and inclusion positioned as a key enabler of growth, not just a compliance requirement. From inclusive product design to diverse leadership, there is growing recognition that inclusive firms are best placed to meet the evolving needs of customers.
Embedding inclusion into strategy is a business imperative, not a box-ticking exercise.
What this means for UK financial services firms
| Trend | Priority |
| AI & Data | Embed ethical, scalable AI across your business operations |
| Open Finance | Build commercial strategies to monetise API infrastructure |
| Stablecoins | Explore regulated digital currency use cases for payments and treasury |
| Co-Creation | Invest in deeper, aligned partnerships with fintechs |
| Regulation | Prepare early for PSD3, MiCA and digital euro alignment |
| Inclusion | Make diversity and inclusion central to long-term strategy |
Looking ahead
What stood out this year was Europe’s confidence and coordination. The direction of travel is clear, and UK firms must be ready to respond. AI, data and regulation are laying the foundations for a smarter, more agile financial system. Those who act early will benefit most.
At Moore Kingston Smith, we’re supporting financial services firms to translate these developments into practical strategies, whether through regulatory alignment, enhanced data capabilities or new partnership models.
If you’re attending Money20/20 in Las Vegas later this year, do get in touch, we’d love to connect.
