European Payments Initiative Wero hits 52.5m users as membership reaches 45
MA•European Payments Initiative membership rose to 45 banks and fintechs, Wero users up from 43.5 million to 52.5 million across Belgium, France and Germany; EPI plans expansion to Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Adoption driven by concerns over U.S. payments restrictions could pressure Mastercard's majority share in transactions.
1. EPI Membership and User Growth
EPI launched in 2020 with 16 founding banks and payments providers and has expanded to 45 members, including BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Mollie, Worldpay and N26. Its Wero wallet user base rose from 43.5 million in September 2025 to 52.5 million in March and is live in Belgium, France and Germany.
2. Geopolitical Motivation
Fears that a future U.S. administration could restrict Europe’s access to American payment networks have driven merchants to seek alternatives, with two major retailers citing resilience as a key reason to adopt Wero alongside existing schemes.
3. Expansion and Digital Euro Integration
EPI intends to launch Wero in Luxembourg and the Netherlands within the next year and is preparing for integration of the European Central Bank’s planned digital euro, slated for 2029, into its wallet offering.
4. Competitive Impact on Mastercard
Wero's growth presents a nascent threat to Mastercard’s dominant position, which currently accounts for roughly two-thirds of euro area card transactions, as merchants diversify payment options to mitigate geopolitical risk.
