Another advantage is the finality of instant payments, which is particularly useful in e-commerce and other situations where goods or services are only delivered against the payment. Clearly, instant payments will become an alternative for cash, which also offers finality, and for credit cards in an online environment. More strategically, instant payments are reason to develop a new payment infrastructure.
This may provide the basis for service enhancements and value-added services. The combination of instant payments and PSD2 also offers new opportunities. New services will be offered online, by banks and non-banks, and payments will be settled in a few seconds, which is what consumers and retailers expect in today’s increasingly digital word.