Digital, Innovation, Payments
ABBL contributes to key European payments discussions at the EPC General Assembly
Published on 14 December 2025
Payments in Europe are changing fast. Instant payments are becoming standard, new fraud prevention requirements are entering into force, and discussions on digital money are moving from theory to implementation. In this environment, it is essential that the banking sector is represented where European payment frameworks are discussed, designed and implemented. This is why the ABBL was represented by Arnaud Clément, Head of Payments and Innovation, at the European Payments Council (EPC) General Assembly on 10 December 2025.
Summary
A strategic forum for European payments
The EPC General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the European Payments Council. It brings together payment service providers and national banking associations from across Europe to steer the development of pan-European payment schemes.
Its role is not limited to governance. The General Assembly also provides a space where regulatory objectives are confronted with operational realities, helping to ensure that European payment frameworks remain secure, interoperable and workable for the market.
For the ABBL, participation in this forum is part of its ongoing commitment to represent the interests of the Luxembourg financial centre at European level.
Being present at European payment forums such as the EPC General Assembly is essential to ensure that the interests and operational realities of the Luxembourg financial centre are properly taken into account at EU level.
Arnaud Clément
Head of Payments and Innovation, ABBL
From regulation to implementation
Discussions at the General Assembly highlighted the progress achieved on several key payment initiatives with direct impact on financial institutions.
A strong focus was placed on the implementation of the Instant Payments Regulation (IPR) and the continued expansion of SEPA Instant Credit Transfers. Instant payments are rapidly becoming a mainstream service across Europe, requiring high levels of operational readiness, resilience and coordination.
The rollout of Verification of Payee (VoP) was another central topic. Designed to strengthen fraud prevention, VoP illustrates the industry’s ability to deliver complex, pan-European solutions within tight regulatory timelines, while maintaining a high level of operational stability.
Preparing for the next phase of digital payments
Beyond current regulatory priorities, the General Assembly also addressed longer-term developments in the payments landscape.
A dedicated panel explored the role of stablecoins, deposit tokens and their interaction with public money initiatives such as the Digital Euro. Discussions focused on governance, infrastructure readiness and interoperability, as well as the need to ensure that innovation does not lead to market fragmentation.
Speakers underlined the importance of close cooperation between regulators, banks and other market participants to support innovation while preserving trust and financial stability.
Key takeaways from the EPC in 2025
Instant payments
- 92% PSP coverage in the euro area and 80% EU-wide
- Over 30% of SEPA credit transfers are now instant
- More than 6 billion SCT Inst transactions processed in the past year
Verification of Payee (VoP)
- Over 2,300 scheme participants onboarded in less than six months
- 58 Verification Service Providers connected
- Infrastructure designed to handle several billion API calls per year
Looking ahead
- Growing focus on scheme oversight and compliance readiness
- Ongoing discussions on digital money, stablecoins and interoperability
ABBL engagement at European level
Through its participation in the EPC General Assembly and other European forums, the ABBL contributes to informed and pragmatic discussions on payments regulation and implementation.
This engagement enables the association to:
- bring forward the perspectives and operational concerns of its members,
- follow regulatory developments at an early stage,
- and support a coordinated European approach to payments that balances innovation, security and feasibility.
Such involvement is a core part of the ABBL’s role in representing the Luxembourg financial centre within the evolving European payments’ ecosystem.
Arnaud Clément
Head of Payments and Innovation, ABBL
Published on 14 December 2025