Financial Inclusion Cannot Exist Without Education, Technology

Q: As a global leader in payments and cross-border transactions, how has Euronet evolved over the years? 

A: Everything we do is connected to the payments ecosystem. Euronet was founded about 30 years ago to promote financial inclusion. The company’s journey began with the installation of its first ATM in Budapest. Our founder and CEO saw that in Budapest, people lacked access to cash. He installed the first ATM to provide that access, and that is how Euronet was born.

Initially, the company focused solely on ATMs, but over time, it expanded through acquisitions of other payment companies. One of these was  Ria Money Transfer, specializing in remittances that enable families to send money worldwide. Another was Dandelion by Euronet, which powers cross-border payments through a single API connecting institutions globally. Today, we cover more than 200 countries and support over 120 currencies.

More recently, Euronet launched Ren Payments, our modern, API-driven platform that represents a technological rebirth; a “renaissance.” Ren provides the flexibility, scalability, and interoperability that banks and fintechs need to modernize and connect seamlessly across payment types and geographies.

Q: What role does technology play in advancing financial education and inclusion, particularly in Latin America?

A: Inclusion is as much about trust and education as it is about technology. Mexico, for example, has one of the highest levels of cash usage in Latin America. The goal is to reduce that dependency and increase banking access. A large part of the population has never had a bank account or any relationship with a financial institution. Technology offers a way to reach these people, but they also need to feel comfortable using it. Cultural and educational factors play a big role, as many still prefer keeping their money “under the mattress” because they associate that with safety.

Fintechs expanding into Mexico and Latin America must understand that offering only digital options is not enough. They must provide hybrid solutions such as allowing cash deposits at convenience stores like OXXO, while also educating users about the benefits of digital finance.

Q: What are the main challenges Euronet’s clients face regarding payments, and how does the company address them?

A: One of the main challenges is related to legacy systems. Many traditional banks still operate on platforms that were built decades ago. These systems are stable but not flexible, making it hard to innovate quickly. Meanwhile, fintechs and neobanks are entering the market with cutting-edge technology and the ability to launch products much faster. Clients now expect convenience; they want to choose whether to visit a branch or do everything digitally. That is where Euronet, through Ren Payments,  steps in as a technological ally for banks, fintechs, and retailers. We manage the technology so our clients can focus on their core business, whether that is lending, transfers, or other services. In the case of migrations from legacy platforms, we conduct them gradually to ensure the end user is never affected.

We also handle all required system updates and regulatory compliance at no extra cost, including those mandated twice a year by the major payment networks or schemes. This allows institutions to operate smoothly without worrying about constant technical changes.

Q: How is Euronet tackling issues such as fraud and chargebacks, especially as transactions increasingly move online?

A: As a company, we comply with all required security certifications, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). For divisions like Ria, compliance is even more rigorous due to Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Euronet also conducts regular internal and external audits and hires independent firms to test vulnerabilities. Fraud prevention is a constant effort; as technology evolves, so do the methods of those trying to exploit it. AI, for example, is being used both to improve services and, unfortunately, to create new types of fraud. Therefore, speed of detection and response is essential. The key is staying ahead and adopting innovations while reinforcing security and compliance in parallel.

Q: The United States announced new tax measures for remittances that could impact money transfers abroad. How will these policies affect remittance flows?

A: The trend with remittances is similar to that of cash: there is a push toward digitalization, but traditional methods will not disappear entirely. Users should always have the freedom to choose whether to use cash, physical cards, or digital methods like mobile payments. Dandelion by Euronet enables transfers directly from bank accounts or digital wallets, so people can send and receive funds instantly, even if they prefer to withdraw cash later.

Q: What are the main challenges in achieving interoperability in the payments ecosystem?

A: It is definitely a challenge, but also a shared goal. Achieving interoperability and moving toward open finance requires collaboration among all financial institutions. Companies like Euronet are already facilitating this through technology that enables instant transfers, transparent transaction tracking, and faster dispute resolution.

In the past, filing a chargeback meant spending hours on the phone with a call center. Now, we are working to make those processes immediate and user-friendly. Ultimately, interoperability is about empowering the customer, and we are building the tools to make that possible.

Q: What are Euronet’s main objectives for 2026? What milestones is the company aiming for to continue promoting financial inclusion?

A: Our focus is to continue expanding in Latin America, supporting institutions in their digital transformation. That means helping them issue debit, credit, and prepaid cards, adopt digital cards, and enable multiple payment channels. We are also exploring QR code payments and instant payment systems. In Mexico, platforms like CoDi and SPEI have not yet achieved their full potential, but in other countries, we are already seeing new regulations that encourage real-time transfers.

Beyond that, we continue to innovate through our ATM network. While digital channels are growing, ATMs remain an essential touchpoint for many customers. Euronet, through Ren Payments, recently received an inclusion award for a social initiative that displays missing person alerts on ATM screens, built in collaboration with police departments and other organizations. The project has already helped reunite families, proving that technology can advance both financial and social inclusion.

Euronet is a global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, including money transfers, credit/debit processing, ATMs, point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange, and more.