The use of QR codes for payments has seen widespread take-up across emerging markets due to the low-tech, low-cost deployment. But will they conquer the developed markets? 

Is blockchain living up to its potential in revolutionising the cross-border payments space? Joy Macknight investigates how far the technology has come.

Swift, together with 45 member banks, launched the global payments innovation (gpi) initiative in early 2016, to increase the speed, transparency and predictability of cross-border payments. More than 180 banks have signed up to the service, with over 60 banks now live. As of May 24, 25% of all Swift cross-border payments traffic is now being sent as gpi. Joy Macknight talks to Wim Raymaekers, Swift’s gpi programme director, about the latest developments. 

Correspondent banking relationships may have been scaled back because of a stricter regulatory environment since the financial crisis, but a refocusing of bank strategies, close industry collaboration and exciting new technologies are ensuring cross-border payments are keeping up with the demand. Christian Westerhaus, global head of clearing products, cash management, at Deutsche Bank explains why the future is bright.

As global market infrastructures modernise across the world, Deutsche Bank’s head of market infrastructure and industry initiatives, cash management, Paula Roels, examines where the global banking industry stands in implementing the landmark ISO 20022 standard, the different approaches to its implementation and the critical factors for success.

While 2017 is widely recognised as the year real-time payments took a qualitative leap forward, 2018 is predicted to be one of transformative change, as innovative services built on top of the new rails come to market. Joy Macknight reports.

The UK has taken a giant step into the unknown, launching Open Banking ahead of its European counterparts. While not all the designated banks were ready on time, the initiative lays the groundwork for a range of new propositions for consumers and businesses. 

Next-generation artificial intelligence tools are ramping up the defence against fraudsters and allowing banks to increase efficiency, reduce headcount in compliance and provide a better customer experience. Joy Macknight reports.

Chris Skinner was invited to join Alibaba’s annual Netrepeneurs conference in Hangzhou, China, for star sellers on Alibaba’s Taobao platform. He reports on Ant Financial, the Alibaba spin-off that operates mobile payments app Alipay.