The European Payments Initiative (EPI) has announced the launch of Wero, its new digital wallet aimed at providing a streamlined, secure, and sovereign payment solution for European consumers. This account-to-account instant payment service is initially available to French customers of BNP Paribas, Groupe BPCE, Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, La Banque Postale, and Société Générale, along with their subsidiaries. With Wero, EPI seeks to consolidate all essential payment functions into a single, user-friendly digital platform, helping users simplify and centralize their finances.
Launch timeline and initial features
Wero will roll out in France starting in September 2024, with availability increasing across major French banks through January 2025. Users will be able to send and receive payments instantly using only a phone number or email, making person-to-person (P2P) payments easier than ever. Wero also enables a seamless transition for the 35 million Paylib users who can quickly switch to Wero before Paylib is phased out in early 2025.
Future expansion and features
Following its launch in France, Wero will expand to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands by the end of 2024. The platform is expected to introduce additional features in 2025, including QR code payments, payment requests, and later, merchant services for small retailers and major stores. By 2026, Wero plans to add options such as Buy Now-Pay Later, loyalty program integration, and shared spending features.
A new chapter for European payments
Wero represents EPI’s commitment to creating a sovereign European payment platform that emphasizes security, simplicity, and consumer empowerment. According to Martina Weimert, CEO of EPI, "Wero offers a unique, cutting-edge solution designed for Europeans, providing a seamless payment experience with the speed and safety users expect."
