Ensuring the independence of critical infrastructures is vital for Europe’s security amid international uncertainty, especially when even close allies like the United States send mixed signals. This includes payment infrastructure. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has called for decisive steps toward financial autonomy in Europe, emphasising the need for a European payments ecosystem to reduce dependence on operators like Visa and PayPal. Her call aligns with the renewed interest in the Capital Markets Union (CMU), which aims to create a single capital market to boost investment and savings within the EU. CMU’s progress and an independent payment infrastructure are essential for broader economic integration.
Merdihan Ismailov, VP of Fintech Applications and Solutions, outlines why Europe’s financial autonomy is a strategic priority in the context of recent political uncertainty.
