Digital payments are no longer just a matter of technology. They shape the customer experience, reveal shifts in consumer behaviour, and raise new questions about security, regulation, and the future of money.
In the latest episode of the FinTech Talks series, which Monri Payments produces in collaboration with Lider, Viktor Olujić, Member of the Management Board of Monri Payments, discussed the future of payments, the role of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and the challenges that increasingly complex regulatory frameworks bring to the fintech industry. One of the key takeaways from the conversation was that users expect three things from payment solutions: simplicity, security, and affordability.
Success in developing new payment methods therefore depends not only on technology itself, but primarily on the user experience. Consumers do not want to think about the payment process. They expect it to be fast, intuitive, and almost invisible.
The millions of transactions processed every day also create opportunities for a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour. Payment data can reveal what people buy, when they spend, and how different markets respond to economic and social changes. Such insights are becoming increasingly important for informed business decision-making.
Younger generations, in particular, are shaping the industry’s future. Having grown up with mobile apps and digital services, they expect the same level of convenience and quality from banks, merchants, and payment providers. This pushes fintech companies to continuously enhance their products and introduce new functionalities.
At the same time, despite rapid technological progress, significant differences in payment habits still exist across markets. While card payments are commonplace even for small purchases in some countries, others continue to rely heavily on cash. Nevertheless, the European market is gradually moving towards greater standardisation and the adoption of common practices.
Speaking about the future of the industry, Viktor Olujić emphasised that artificial intelligence will not fundamentally change the logic of the financial sector, but it will significantly affect the competitiveness of individual companies. Those that implement AI successfully will be able to develop products faster, optimise processes more efficiently, and respond better to customer needs. He also touched on cryptocurrency payments which, despite their growth, still account for a relatively small share of overall payment volume. Traditional card payments continue to hold a significant advantage due to the trust they have built over decades, as well as the customer protection mechanisms that have been developed alongside them.
One of the most interesting insights from the conversation concerned the very definition of innovation. According to Viktor Olujić, true innovation emerges before it is formally defined by a regulatory framework. This is why regulation can simultaneously protect the market while also slowing down the development of new solutions.
The future of payments will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be defined by the industry’s ability to develop secure, simple, and innovative solutions while continuing to build customer trust. It is within this space between innovation and regulation that both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity for the fintech industry can be found.
You can watch the full discussion on the future of money, data, and who truly drives the logic of the modern economy on our YouTube channel.
