There is so much we have to share about our studies in Q1-2014 that we thought we should put it all together in an easy-to-read document available here.
Our work kicked off in Indonesia, where we undertook a market study and attended the Mobile Money & Digital Payments Asia conference in Jakarta. We were amazed at the intent with which providers are approaching the digital payments market, especially branchless banking and mobile money. Trials in these areas have recently completed, and people await new regulations. Banks, mobile operators and payment providers are engaged in defining business models in unique ways to drive mobile money to critical mass.
The types of initiatives discussed at the 13th EPCA Payment Summit 2014 in Brussels were equally fascinating, but with a different slant due to their focus on the European market. Harry Smorenberg of SCC and Douwe Lycklama from Innopay provided a great line-up of speakers to help us rethink transactions. Douwe introduced us to Nomophobia (a fear of separation from your mobile) and how it accelerates customer centricity.
Europe is readying for the PSD2 regulation and we heard from Philippe Pellé, Deputy Head of Unit DG Internet market and services. Presentations at the EPCA summit were extremely impressive, especially those from Pierre Petit (Deputy Director General, European Central Bank), Jason Lane of MasterCard and Wolfgang Maschek of Western Union, who enlightened us on regulations with suggestions on future improvement.
It was a real pleasure for me to share the podium with such illustrious speakers, as I talked about the regulatory stances that countries adopt and how they map to their approach to regulation of Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies. My trip to Brussels was made delightfully complete with a view of Golden Square and the Manneken Pis, a mouthful of Belgian chocolates, and most important of all, the companionship of payment experts from across Europe.
This week I head off to India. Our viewport on India has just been updated and I’m looking forward to trying out some of the mobile wallets recently launched. Next stop Singapore, where Shift Thought will take part in the Terrapin trade show. We’ll share highlights from our recently published 2014 research, including our latest update of our Singapore Viewport.
This research, and more, is available with special offers during our promotion in Singapore this month.Do you plan to attend? If so, it would be a pleasure to meet you:
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At our Pop-up office at the REGUS Samsung hub, Level 8, 3 Church Street, Singapore on 21-22 April
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At our stand in the UK pavilion (British Chamber of Commerce) at the Terrapin trade show
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At one of the events we plan during our week in Singapore, 21-25 April; email us at contact@shiftthought.com for more details
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When I share highlights of Shift Thought study findings on Day 1 of the Future Bank Asia, Terrapin.
Click here for our latest catalogue of research. Our in-depth Viewports®, now available for most key markets around the world, are supported through unique hot-links on our portal. Mind-map like presentation makes it easy to rapidly understand the market, opportunities and risks. Additionally we recently completed key research projects on Remittance Prices and on Bitcoin/ crypto-currencies.