Payments Ecosystem: This year will reveal how providers must adapt to lasting pandemic-driven digitization across payments channels, ranging from in-store retail to B2B ecommerce.

UK banks can capitalize on removal of open-banking friction: The Financial Conduct Authority’s repeal of the 90-day re-authentication mandate for users—plus an upcoming rollout of convenient repeat payments—will help banks enhance the customer experience.

The raise signals a push toward further expansion to fuel platform growth due to the competitive threat of incumbents encroaching on startup turf.