Banks worldwide are under pressure to move money faster, at lower cost, and across more borders than ever before. One emerging tool drawing increasing interest from financial institutions is the stablecoin – a digital asset designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar or Euro.

Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins are designed for stability, not speculation. They combine the speed, programmability, and 24/7 availability of blockchain with the price predictability of fiat. That makes them an ideal instrument for real-time settlement, especially for cross-border payments where traditional rails are slow and expensive.

For banks, the benefits are compelling:
• Instant settlement between institutions or corporate clients without correspondent banking delays
• Lower operational costs by bypassing intermediaries and reducing reconciliation overhead
• Improved liquidity with near-instant fund availability
• Programmable money that can embed compliance, disbursement rules, or escrow logic directly into transactions

The stablecoin trend is not about replacing fiat currency but about creating a faster, digital wrapper around it. At Euronet Software, we see stablecoins as a natural extension of the real-time capabilities already powering solutions like Ren Payments and Dandelion. Our global network can serve as the bridge between bank core systems and new digital settlement rails, allowing financial institutions to move value in whatever form their customers demand.
Our recent integration of CoreCard strengthens this vision. With its modern ledger and card issuing platform, banks could manage both fiat and tokenized balances on a unified system, paving the way to offer stablecoin wallets, stablecoin-backed cards, and real-time settlement options alongside traditional payment products.

Stablecoins aren’t a competitor to banks. They’re an opportunity to deliver faster, cheaper, and smarter payments, and to stay ahead as money goes digital.

Executive Summary
Euronet’s announced acquisition of CoreCard marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of global card issuing and processing. The merger, which is expected to close in late 2025, will offer banks and FinTechs a comprehensive, future-ready solution for credit card issuance by integrating CoreCard’s modern, API-first issuing platform with Ren’s proven real-time payments infrastructure. Whether deployed on-prem or in the cloud, this powerful new capability will be set to deliver faster time to market, customizable programs, and operational agility across global markets.

Why Card Issuing Is Strategic Again
The market for credit and prepaid card products is undergoing a renaissance. With embedded finance, buy-now pay-later, loyalty-based lending, and digital wallets on the rise, issuers need more than legacy processors can provide.
• Modern customers expect:
• Real-time issuance and decisions
• Seamless mobile integration
• Flexible repayment options
• Personalized offers and rewards
Traditional card platforms weren’t built for this pace of innovation. As a result, banks and FinTechs alike are seeking modern issuing solutions that are fast, flexible, and scalable.

The Legacy Limitation: What Banks Struggle With
Most banks today are still operating on legacy credit card platforms that:
• Require long lead times to configure or launch new products
• Depend on manual batch processing
• Offer limited API access or third-party integrations
• Struggle to support global or cross-border requirements
These limitations slow innovation and increase the total cost of ownership. Worse, it creates a poor experience for cardholders accustomed to real-time digital interactions.

What CoreCard Brings to the Table
CoreCard is a next-generation credit card issuing and processing platform built for the realities of modern finance.
Key benefits include:
• Full support for credit, prepaid, and loyalty card programs
• Modular, API-based architecture with real-time transaction capabilities
• Configurable business rules engine to support custom workflows
• Proven track record with fintech innovators and enterprise clients
• Cloud-native or private on-premise deployment options
CoreCard has powered marquee programs for companies like Cardless and helped support co-branded cards with global names like Goldman Sachs.

Why CoreCard + Ren = A New Standard for Issuing
Ren, Euronet’s proven, modern payments platform, already delivers:
• Real-time core processing for account-based and direct-to-account payments
• Instant data visibility across channels
• A flexible API Gateway for seamless integrations
• 100% uptime by design architecture with patented Infinite Messaging framework
Once integratinon of CoreCard into the Ren ecosystem is complete, it will enable issuing solutions with:
• Embedded fraud detection and compliance capabilities
• Full integration into Euronet’s global ATM, POS, and wallet infrastructure
• Cloud or hybrid deployments, depending on client needs
• A pay-as-you-grow model for both established banks and scaling FinTechs

Real-World Use Cases
• Community Banks are launching co-branded or loyalty cards without needing to build in-house platforms.
• Fintech Startups offering credit products embedded in their apps, using Ren APIs for onboarding and CoreCard for issuing.
• Global Banks are deploying region-specific programs on-prem in some markets and cloud-based in others.

The Bottom Line
Euronet’s acquisition of CoreCard is a commitment to helping financial institutions meet the demands of modern customers. By combining Ren’s global infrastructure with CoreCard’s issuing expertise, we now offer a best-in class, future-proof solution for banks, FinTechs, and innovators worldwide.

If you’re ready to explore what’s next in credit card issuing, talk to us today.

With smartphone adoption at record highs, QR code payments have emerged as one of the fastest-growing methods worldwide. Unlike traditional card-based systems that require expensive POS terminals, QR payments let customers scan a static or dynamic code to pay instantly using their mobile banking app, digital wallet, or payment platform. It’s contactless, secure, and accessible to anyone with a smart phone.

Euronet’s QR Engine was built for this moment. It’s an EMVCo-compliant, secure, and cost-efficient platform that integrates seamlessly with existing banking systems. The engine provides a comprehensive ecosystem, comprising a bank admin portal for system configuration, a merchant portal and app for generating and accepting QR codes, a consumer app for enabling frictionless payments, and a back-office suite for reconciliation, settlement, and dispute management.
Offering a QR payments platform gives banks a powerful opportunity to expand their acceptance networks, deepen merchant relationships, and reduce the cost of infrastructure. By equipping merchants with a system that works on any mobile device, institutions can empower even small or mobile businesses to accept payments anywhere, making commerce more inclusive and agile.

Combined with the flexibility of SoftPOS, which turns any smartphone into a payment terminal, Euronet’s QR solution allows financial institutions to leapfrog legacy POS systems entirely. This innovation reduces checkout times, enhances real-time insights, and ensures security comparable to traditional methods.

As global QR payments soar, now is the time to modernize. With Euronet’s QR Engine, financial institutions can lead the future of payments – securely, seamlessly, and everywhere.

The global payments industry is standing at the edge of its biggest transformation in decades – and the G20 Cross Border Payments Roadmap is hitting the accelerator. Designed to make international payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent, it’s reshaping how banks and financial institutions will operate in the years ahead. For Ren Payments, the modular payments hub from Euronet Software, this is more than a compliance deadline – it’s a once-in a-generation opportunity to lead.

Accelerating ISO 20022 Adoption
One of the roadmap’s cornerstone goals is the worldwide shift to ISO 20022, a rich data standard for payment messages. Many banks are still stuck on older ISO 8583 or proprietary systems, facing steep hurdles to modernization. Ren cuts through this barrier with a visual, low-code development environment that connects legacy cores directly to real-time ISO 20022 networks, without requiring a full system overhaul. Recognized by the Federal Reserve’s FedNow Service Provider Showcase in 2022, Ren now stands ready as SWIFT and other networks finalize their ISO 20022 migrations.

Unlocking Global Interoperability
Beyond messaging, the roadmap pushes for greater interoperability between national systems. Ren was built for this moment. It offers out-of-the-box connectivity to Dandelion – Euronet’s real-time cross-border network leveraging Ria and XE rails – making cross-border payments as seamless as domestic ones. As instant payment systems link across regions, from TARGET Instant Payment Settlement in the EU to fast-payment linkages across ASEAN, Ren acts as an intelligent router – dynamically selecting the fastest, most cost-effective route.

Built for Compliance, Speed, and Innovation
Crucially, Ren embeds real-time compliance checks, sanctions screening, and fraud prevention into every transaction. Its cloud-based, always-on infrastructure enables banks to meet new G20 standards while launching innovative services like cross-border request-to-pay and multi-currency settlement.

As G20-driven deadlines approach, banks need more than upgrades – they need a leap forward. Ren delivers it: fast to deploy, globally connected, and future ready.

The average cost of acquiring new customers or retaining existing customers is generally on the rise. In the highly competitive world of banking, financial institutions are constantly searching for ways to gain an edge and stand out from the crowd. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through personalization.

Personalization means treating each customer as unique and providing them with an experience that facilitates their personal objectives and ambitions. ATMs are ideally suited to a variety of personalization strategies–from simple localization imaging and on- screen messaging to more complex individual product recommendations.

ATMs are most effective for customized marketing when financial institutions tap into the valuable data they collect on customers. ATMs have the added benefit of delivering
a captive audience that’s more receptive to marketing messages than the audiences that institutions might reach through other channels. In fact, when consumers trust a brand, 59% say they are more likely to buy the brand’s new products and/or buy the brand even if not as cheap as a competitor.1

Contextual personalization, occurring in real-time– has the power to drive sales and revenue, boost conversion rates, and foster customer loyalty. A 2021 study by McKinsey2 found that while personalization does drive performance and better customer outcomes, only 47% of companies offer personalized experiences based on live consumer data. This means, financial institutions that utilize on-target personalization have a distinct advantage over competitors who don’t.

Why is real-time personalization so valuable? The following are just a few documented benefits of real-time personalization:

• Offers selected in real-time interactions have been
  shown to have much higher response rates
• An increased cross-sell success rate from under
  10% to more than 40%
• 200% increase in sales attributed to offers printed on receipts

1 https://www.edelman.com/trust/2023/trust-barometer/special-report-brand-trust/ collapse-purchase-funnel
2 https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/ the-value-of-getting-personalization-right-or-wrong-is-multiplying

ATMs are attention-getting billboards for banks.

To achieve high levels of success with personalization you need to understand your customers’ wants, needs, and behavior.

By considering both a person’s identity and behavior, you can target the right message to the right person at the right time. This approach is truly a win-win, providing your customers with attractive and relevant offers and improving your chances for a successful cross-sell. Creating distinctive, captivating communications about your company, your brand, and your products will help you to stand out.

Who is the customer?

• What details are available in your customer database? Information regarding demographics, psychographics, account details, purchase history, social network relations, and so forth can provide great insights that can be used for highly personalized on-screen marketing offers. Ren ATM Management makes it easy for marketing staff to
  design and execute these campaigns without IT staff involvement.

What is the customer doing?

• Behavior — information about how the person is behaving during the moment of interaction, for example: what type of transaction(s) is the customer performing at the ATM during this visit; what time of day is the transaction occurirng; where is this ATM located; what insights do their shopping patterns provide? Utilize this information to serve up helpful offers and product recommendations.

Much as they do in their branches and other channels, banks are using ATMs to deliver the more personalized experience that consumers demand. Today’s ATMs are increasingly mobile-centric, capable of taking full advantage of advanced personalization. Modern ATM Management systems, such as Ren ATM Management, capture real-time data and have built-in analytics that can record user demographics as well as transaction times and patterns. Financial institutions can use this data to improve the overall customer experience. ATM personalization can range from allowing customers to configure a set of shortcuts for their most frequent transactions, to quick-cash options, to targeted product offerings or brief educational presentations based on customer segmentation. By delivering highly personalized experiences that are contextual, intelligent, and secure, ATMs can meet a wide variety of customer needs, around the clock– even when branches are closed. And– ATMs do so at a reduced cost compared to tellers.

Personalization Payoffs

Cross-Selling

Advertising relevant banking products on the ATM screen while a transaction is being processed. By conveying relevent brand messages, promoting your latest products and services, and showcasing helpful banking advice based on customer segmentation your institution can experience a significant increase in additional sales. 80% of brands that use digital signage record an increase in sales, up to 33% .
An Enriched Customer Experience

• Creating customized, relevant messaging that is captivating and informative strengthens your organization’s relationships with your customer base. Being able to demonstrate that you know your customers’ needs and understand their interests is a strong advantage over your competitors.

Localization

• Based on the location of the ATM advertisements can be personalized for the area. An ATM in a shopping mall may offer unique discounts only available to ATM users for a nearby merchant or restaurant. The coupon can be printed on the ATM receipt. An ATM near an arena or event venue may offer digital tickets to upcoming events.

Security & Convenience

• By utilizing QR codes and Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, ATM transactions can be performed with a higher level of both security and convenience. By initiating a transaction on their smartphone and then scanning a QR code or bar code at the ATM to complete the process, consumers avoid the risks associated with card skimming. QR codes can also be used to allow customers to download a detailed product brochure, initiate an application for a loan, or open an additional type of account.

59% of people who see a digital ad want to learn more about the topic

Digital Signage has a recall rate of 83%

3https://www.digitalsignagetoday.com/blogs/100-proven-roi-driven-digital-signage-statistics-2022

Why Ren ATM Management?

Ren ATM Management allows FI’s to personalize interaction in multiple ways:

• First, by allowing customers to save a set of as many as seven preferred transaction shortcuts, customers can quickly and easily access the transactions that they most typically perform. This means that for most customer interactions the customer can access a saved transaction shortcut and reduce the total transaction time. It also helps to nurture the perception that the FI “knows” the customer and is familiar with their routine. And because the transaction shortcuts are customer-maintained, updating the shortcuts is a simple process that takes effect immediately allowing customers to keep the preferences current as their needs and lifestyle may change.
• Additionally, Ren ATM Management supports the use of the ATM as a digital billboard displaying targeted messaging and product offers based on a host of customer characteristics so that customers can receive timely and relevant information about beneficial services, or even notifications of changes in bank policies that impact them. Doing so doesn’t have to add time to the transaction as Ren uses the seconds during which account information is being retrieved or while cash is being dispensed to display either video or still images to convey this information
• ATMs in retail locations provide unique opportunities to partner with nearby businesses, particularly if those businesses are also customers of your institution. Since Ren ATM Management also supports couponing, either printed on the customers receipt or dispensed from one of the ATM cash cassettes, you can charge the business an additional amount for advertisements that include coupon dispensing. Coupons can be enhanced with images that tie back to the on-screen advertisement, as well as with barcodes and/or QR codes to assist with tracking redemption of the coupons.
• Another way Ren ATM Management supports customer convenience and time saving is the ability to purchase virtually any product or service via the ATM. From banking products to third-party offerings, Ren ATM Management allows the ATM to function as digital marketplace. FI’s can use their own market intelligence to determine which products or services are most meaningful to their customer base. Ren ATM Management even allows flexibility to vary the products and services by ATM location, allowing for just the right product mix at each ATM. This not only ensures that customers have the services they are looking for but also reduces fleet costs by only deploying the hardware and functions where they are truly needed.
• Perhaps, one of Ren ATM Management’s most game-changing functions is the ability to empower marketing resources to make branding and imagery changes on their own—without IT staff support. Using Ren’s Designer module, marketing can easily insert new images, change fonts, colors, screen text, button shapes and labels with ease. Making these types of changes is a simple matter of drag & drop or point & click. With Ren Designer, users can update ATM screen imagery as well as make updates to receipt layout and imagery to ensure that the organization’s branding and image are reinforced and supported with all transactions.

Euronet was one of five companies with a presence in Arkansas presented with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade October 4, 2024 in Little Rock. The award honors companies of all sizes for excellence in actively selling products in international markets.

“Arkansas’ exports are our representatives on the global stage, from Delta-grown rice to Camden-built missiles,” said Governor Sanders. “I applaud the trade leaders receiving this year’s awards. With their help, my administration is cutting taxes, investing in education, and growing our workforce to make Arkansas a trading powerhouse.”

This is the 14th year for the award, established by the Arkansas District Export Council (DEC) in collaboration with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the US Commercial Service and the Arkansas World Trade Center. 

Euronet Worldwide has established a global real-time digital and cash payments network with millions of touchpoints, moving money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit processing, ATMs, point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone.

Founded in 1994 with the ambitious goal of revolutionizing electronic payments globally Euronet acquired ARKSYS, a computer software firm founded in Arkansas specializing in electronic payment and transaction delivery systems in 1998.  The company maintains an office in Little Rock, with 137 Arkansas employees working to revolutionize the financial industry.

Biometrics – unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans – enhance security, customer experience, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance within the industry. Here, we explore how these advancements are reshaping the landscape of payments.

Supporting Ukrainian Banking Services In times of crisis, the financial system’s stability becomes crucial for individuals’ well-being and communities’ resilience. Since the war in Ukraine began, maintaining access to banking services has been a vital challenge for citizens.

Since the conflict began in February 2022, the Ukrainian banking sector has had to adapt to new realities. Citizens displaced within the country or seeking refuge abroad rely heavily on uninterrupted access to their financial resources. Imagine you’ve fled eastern Ukraine, seeking refuge in a neighboring country like Poland. All your assets are still in Ukraine. However, thanks to your bank, you can continue to manage your finances seamlessly across borders.

Euronet’s Role in Financial Technology Solutions

Euronet, a global leader in financial technology solutions, has ensured that banking transactions flow in a country facing unprecedented hardships. Euronet and its banking partners have worked tirelessly, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining uninterrupted banking services within Ukraine and across borders.

“At Euronet, we are deeply committed to supporting our partners in Ukraine during these challenging times. The dedication we have witnessed from our Ukrainian banking partners inspire us daily.” – Tom Kleinsorge, Vice President, Global Software Sales, Euronet Worldwide.

Lifeline Services for Individuals

Card payments, cash, and other banking services provide a lifeline for individuals seeking to maintain some semblance of normalcy in their daily lives. By leveraging Euronet’s technologies, banks can continue processing transactions efficiently, ensuring that Ukrainians can access their funds and carry out much-needed financial transactions.

Technological Support and Mission

Euronet’s advanced technologies and robust network have played a pivotal role in supporting the need for access, ensuring that people can continue to manage their finances despite the turmoil. Our mission is to make participation in the global economy easier, faster, and more secure for everyone, especially in times of crisis.

“We stand by our partners and the Ukrainian community, working tirelessly to maintain and enhance their financial capabilities.” – Olimpia Modorcea, Senior Account Manager EMEA, Euronet Worldwide.

Euronet’s efforts ensure that financial stability and access remain steadfast despite the ongoing conflict, providing a critical foundation for Ukraine’s strength and recovery. Our unwavering support and innovative solutions are vital in helping Ukrainians navigate these challenging times, maintain their financial stability, and foster community endurance.

New Opportunities for Banks

In recent years, the concept of embedded finance has reshaped the traditional banking and payments landscape. This innovative approach allows non-financial companies to integrate financial services into their platforms, providing a seamless experience to consumers. From major players like Amazon and Uber to smaller businesses, embedded finance is democratizing access to financial services. But what role do banks and third-party vendors play in this evolving market, and how can technology solutions help facilitate this transformation?

Understanding Embedded Finance

Embedded finance essentially enables companies to incorporate banking services—such as payment processing, lending, or insurance—directly into their non-banking platforms. This integration provides a more cohesive user experience, making financial transactions as straightforward as ordering a ride or buying groceries online.

For example, platforms like Robinhood have changed the way people invest and manage their finances by merging brokerage, banking, and retirement accounts through user-friendly interfaces. This not only simplifies user interaction but also enhances customer loyalty and service utilization.

The Role of Banks and Third-Party Vendors

Banks and third-party vendors are central to the embedded finance ecosystem. They provide the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework for non-financial companies to offer financial services. Banks can leverage their existing capabilities and trust to partner with fintech and other industries wishing to embed financial services into their offerings.

By utilizing banking infrastructure like Switching & Routing to access bank balances and safely expose them to third parties for embedded finance offerings, there is a clear pathway for banks to become integral players in providing backend solutions that support embedded finance.

The Advantages to Banks of Embedded Finance

• Increased Customer Base: By partnering with third-party companies, banks can reach a broader audience.
• Enhanced Brand Presence: When a bank’s services are embedded into a third party’s offerings, it increases the bank’s visibility and market presence without the need for extensive marketing campaigns.
• Diversified Revenue Streams: Partnering with various third parties allows banks to diversify their revenue sources. They can earn fees from third-party companies for providing banking services or earn interest from the new accounts opened through these partnerships.
• Improved Customer Engagement: Embedded finance can enhance customer engagement by providing seamless financial services within a third party’s ecosystem. Customers are more likely to use banking services if they are conveniently integrated into platforms they already use and trust.
• Cost Efficiency: Banks can save on customer acquisition costs by leveraging the customer base of their partners. The third-party companies essentially market the bank’s services, reducing the bank’s need for extensive marketing and sales efforts.
• Innovation and Flexibility: Working with third parties often requires banks to innovate and adapt their services to meet the specific needs of the partner’s customer base. This can lead to the development of new financial products and services that can be offered more broadly.
• Data and Insights: Banks can gain valuable data and insights from their partnerships, helping them understand customer behaviors and preferences better. This information can be used to tailor services and improve customer satisfaction.
• Regulatory Compliance: Banks already have the necessary regulatory frameworks in place to offer financial services. Third-party companies can leverage this compliance infrastructure to offer banking services without needing to navigate the complex regulatory landscape themselves.
• Risk Mitigation: Banks can spread risk by collaborating with third parties. For example, the financial risk associated with extending new services is shared between the bank and the partner company.
• Enhanced Customer Trust: Partnering with reputable third-party companies can enhance a bank’s credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of consumers, particularly if the third party has a strong brand reputation.

These advantages make embedded finance a compelling strategy for banks looking to expand their reach, innovate their offerings, and enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.

How Ren Can Facilitate Embedded Finance

Euronet’s Ren Payments platform is designed to provide a robust, secure, and flexible backbone for any company looking to venture into embedded finance. Here’s how Ren could empower banks and third-party vendors:

• Modern, Flexible Technology: Ren’s platform is built with modern technology designed for flexibility to adapt to present and future embedded finance needs. Its platform-agnostic design means it can operate across various environments, whether on private or public clouds like Azure, GCP, or AWS.
• Developer-Friendly Tools: With industry-standard open APIs, Ren allows developers to easily integrate banking services into their applications, making it easier for banks and third parties to customize and extend their offerings.
• Seamless Global Payments: By bridging markets and uniting currencies, Ren helps banks facilitate faster and more efficient cross-border transactions, a critical component of global embedded finance solutions.
• Faster Market Entry: Ren’s streamlined regulations and card issuance solutions enable quicker launch times for new products, allowing banks and their partners to stay competitive and responsive to market demands.
• High Availability and Business Continuity: Ren guarantees 100% availability with its active-active+ and adaptive routing strategies, ensuring that financial services can be offered continuously, without interruption due to technical maintenance or failures.

Looking Ahead

The landscape of financial services is evolving rapidly, with embedded finance at the forefront of this transformation. For banks and third-party vendors looking to explore this burgeoning field, partnering with a technology provider like Ren can provide the necessary tools and infrastructure to successfully integrate and offer these services. By doing so, they can not only expand their market reach but also enhance the overall customer experience, paving the way for a new era of financial integration.

Engage with Euronet’s Ren API Gateway

Discover the Ren API Gateway’s transformative potential for your institution. Embrace the technology that powers seamless, secure, and efficient digital banking.

To explore how Euronet can support your digital transformation journey, contact our team, or visit us at https://euronetsoftware.com/.