![As real-time payment infrastructure becomes more commonplace in mature markets, the next battleground for innovation is less about speed and more about resilience, trust, and local fluency. Nowhere is this shift more apparent than in sectors like online gaming, where operators are racing to serve fast-growing regions with complex compliance environments, inconsistent infrastructure, and culturally diverse user expectations. The iGaming sector, often on the leading edge of payments innovation due to its regulatory pressures and user demands, offers a valuable lens into how payment systems must evolve beyond speed. Ahead of SBC Summit Lisbon, where experts will gather to debate the future of localised fintech infrastructure, one recurring theme is clear: real-time APIs are only part of the solution. “On paper, real-time APIs are the pinnacle of what the payments industry is trying to achieve… but a vital piece, which cannot get lost within the framework of ‘speed’, is the resiliency,” noted Sean Spiteri, Head of Payments at kwiff, in a recent Q&A. “Without robust reliability, he added, “there’s nothing worse than having a fast solution with a caveat which basically translates to ‘fast, as long as it’s working.’” In other words, latency isn’t the enemy, fragility is. Especially in frontier or developing markets, where user trust is tenuous and operator reputations are hard-won, a broken API or failed payout is now a loss of brand equity. The fragmentation problem Even before the transaction happens, onboarding presents its own hurdles. The fragmented nature of regulations, PSP integrations, and KYC flows creates inconsistent user experiences across platforms, making it difficult for new users to feel secure or understood. Spiteri pointed out that a lack of standardisation across jurisdictions leads to “fragmented processes,” which in turn alienate users. Rather than creating familiar, confidence-inspiring flows, operators often attempt to differentiate by offering exclusive solutions, a move that can backfire in unfamiliar markets. This insight applies well beyond gaming. In any high-growth, low-trust market – be it e-commerce, financial services, or digital wallets – users gravitate toward what feels familiar and predictable, not flashy or novel. Education, transparency, and consistency are still under-leveraged tools in the onboarding journey. Localisation is behavioural, not just technical The payments industry has long understood the need for local currency and language support. But as digital wallets and fintech services expand, a deeper form of localisation is becoming mission-critical; one based on behaviour, timing, and cultural fluency. “It’s crucial to do your homework ahead of time and understand what the competition is doing… what the players are fundamentally looking for, be it instant payouts or local solutions they use in their day-to-day lives,” Spiteri explained. Support availability during peak local hours, mobile-first interface design, and integration with popular regional payment methods all fall under this more granular definition of localisation. Without these considerations, even the most technically advanced platforms risk alienating users who don’t see themselves, or their financial habits, reflected in the product. Regulation without harmony Cross-border expansion also means navigating a web of ever-changing regulatory requirements. And unlike in open banking ecosystems where frameworks are gradually aligning, many emerging markets still operate with little standardisation. Each new jurisdiction can reshape a business’s architecture. For payments professionals, this calls for more than just compliance checklists, it requires operational agility and strategic partnerships with local regulators, PSPs, and high-trust operators to bridge the gap between global ambition and regional realities. The backend imperative While user experience often gets the spotlight, much of the long-term scalability and security in these markets depends on backend innovation. Spiteri makes this comparison pointedly: “You can have the shiniest car (UX), but if you’re lacking power under the hood (backend tech), you’re not going to get far.” Automation of KYC, integration of risk-scoring tools, and orchestration platforms are no longer optional. In markets where manual processes dominate and talent is unevenly distributed, the ability to automate at scale without compromising compliance is a defining advantage. A2A and the missing trust Layer Technologies like account-to-account (A2A) payments and open banking still hold enormous promise—but are far from realising their full potential. According to Spiteri, these tools are “still using [their] most simplest form,” limited by a lack of standardised APIs and, more critically, a deficit in consumer trust. For these systems to scale across high-growth markets, trust must be built into the technology stack. That means greater collaboration between PSPs, operators, regulators, and local fintechs, to align around shared standards that allow innovation to scale responsibly. SBC Summit will take place from 16–18 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena, bringing together 30,000 industry stakeholders for an unmissable three-day experience. Looking to attend? Here’s how: Secure your place with a VIP Event Pass – Enjoy full access to all conference sessions, the exhibition floor, exclusive networking events, and complimentary food and drink throughout the summit. Bringing the team? Take advantage of our Group Pass Discount — purchase three or more VIP Event Passes and pay just €400 per ticket (saving €200 off the standard price). Operator or affiliate? You may be eligible for a complimentary VIP Event Pass, which includes full access to the exhibition, conference, and exclusive networking events. Apply now to reserve your spot. Expo+ Pass: Gain access to the full exhibition floor and all conference sessions across the three days. This does not include access to our exclusive VIP evening networking events. Source: https://paymentexpert.com/2025/07/09/why-real-time-isnt-enough/](https://storage.sbcevents.com/assets/2025/07/real-time-696x392-1.jpg)
As real-time payment infrastructure becomes more commonplace in mature markets, the next battleground for innovation is less about speed and more about resilience, trust, and local fluency.
Nowhere is this shift more apparent than in sectors like online gaming, where operators are racing to serve fast-growing regions with complex compliance environments, inconsistent infrastructure, and culturally diverse user expectations.
The iGaming sector, often on the leading edge of payments innovation due to its regulatory pressures and user demands, offers a valuable lens into how payment systems must evolve beyond speed.
Ahead of SBC Summit Lisbon, where experts will gather to debate the future of localised fintech infrastructure, one recurring theme is clear: real-time APIs are only part of the solution.
“On paper, real-time APIs are the pinnacle of what the payments industry is trying to achieve… but a vital piece, which cannot get lost within the framework of ‘speed’, is the resiliency,” noted Sean Spiteri, Head of Payments at kwiff, in a recent Q&A.
“Without robust reliability, he added, “there’s nothing worse than having a fast solution with a caveat which basically translates to ‘fast, as long as it’s working.’”
In other words, latency isn’t the enemy, fragility is. Especially in frontier or developing markets, where user trust is tenuous and operator reputations are hard-won, a broken API or failed payout is now a loss of brand equity.
The fragmentation problem
Even before the transaction happens, onboarding presents its own hurdles. The fragmented nature of regulations, PSP integrations, and KYC flows creates inconsistent user experiences across platforms, making it difficult for new users to feel secure or understood.
Spiteri pointed out that a lack of standardisation across jurisdictions leads to “fragmented processes,” which in turn alienate users. Rather than creating familiar, confidence-inspiring flows, operators often attempt to differentiate by offering exclusive solutions, a move that can backfire in unfamiliar markets.
This insight applies well beyond gaming. In any high-growth, low-trust market – be it e-commerce, financial services, or digital wallets – users gravitate toward what feels familiar and predictable, not flashy or novel. Education, transparency, and consistency are still under-leveraged tools in the onboarding journey.
Localisation is behavioural, not just technical
The payments industry has long understood the need for local currency and language support. But as digital wallets and fintech services expand, a deeper form of localisation is becoming mission-critical; one based on behaviour, timing, and cultural fluency.
“It’s crucial to do your homework ahead of time and understand what the competition is doing… what the players are fundamentally looking for, be it instant payouts or local solutions they use in their day-to-day lives,” Spiteri explained.
Support availability during peak local hours, mobile-first interface design, and integration with popular regional payment methods all fall under this more granular definition of localisation. Without these considerations, even the most technically advanced platforms risk alienating users who don’t see themselves, or their financial habits, reflected in the product.
Regulation without harmony
Cross-border expansion also means navigating a web of ever-changing regulatory requirements. And unlike in open banking ecosystems where frameworks are gradually aligning, many emerging markets still operate with little standardisation.
Each new jurisdiction can reshape a business’s architecture. For payments professionals, this calls for more than just compliance checklists, it requires operational agility and strategic partnerships with local regulators, PSPs, and high-trust operators to bridge the gap between global ambition and regional realities.
The backend imperative
While user experience often gets the spotlight, much of the long-term scalability and security in these markets depends on backend innovation. Spiteri makes this comparison pointedly: “You can have the shiniest car (UX), but if you’re lacking power under the hood (backend tech), you’re not going to get far.”
Automation of KYC, integration of risk-scoring tools, and orchestration platforms are no longer optional. In markets where manual processes dominate and talent is unevenly distributed, the ability to automate at scale without compromising compliance is a defining advantage.
A2A and the missing trust Layer
Technologies like account-to-account (A2A) payments and open banking still hold enormous promise—but are far from realising their full potential. According to Spiteri, these tools are “still using [their] most simplest form,” limited by a lack of standardised APIs and, more critically, a deficit in consumer trust.
For these systems to scale across high-growth markets, trust must be built into the technology stack. That means greater collaboration between PSPs, operators, regulators, and local fintechs, to align around shared standards that allow innovation to scale responsibly.
SBC Summit will take place from 16–18 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena, bringing together 30,000 industry stakeholders for an unmissable three-day experience.
Looking to attend? Here’s how:
- Secure your place with a VIP Event Pass – Enjoy full access to all conference sessions, the exhibition floor, exclusive networking events, and complimentary food and drink throughout the summit.
- Bringing the team? Take advantage of our Group Pass Discount — purchase three or more VIP Event Passes and pay just €400 per ticket (saving €200 off the standard price).
- Operator or affiliate? You may be eligible for a complimentary VIP Event Pass, which includes full access to the exhibition, conference, and exclusive networking events. Apply now to reserve your spot.
- Expo+ Pass: Gain access to the full exhibition floor and all conference sessions across the three days. This does not include access to our exclusive VIP evening networking events.
Source: https://paymentexpert.com/2025/07/09/why-real-time-isnt-enough/
