What happens when smart innovation meets a supportive regulatory environment? You get a payments revolution. The ability to move money instantly – across the street or around the globe 24/7 – is no longer a futuristic concept, but an expectation shared by consumers and businesses alike. The shift to instant payments is not just a technological upgrade – it’s a fundamental transformation of how economies function. At the heart of this transformation are innovative technologies, supportive regulations, and the commitment of global financial institutions dedicated to shaping a faster, safer, and more connected payments ecosystem.</em></p> Innovation in payments has already arrived. What’s new and truly exciting is that the European Union (EU) has a supportive regulatory framework to match. The Instant Payments Regulation (IPR), adopted in March 2024, requires all banks processing euro payments to offer SEPA Instant at the same cost as standard transfers, with funds credited to recipients within just 10 seconds. By October 2025, both sending and receiving instant payments will be mandatory for financial institutions across the EU. This is much more than a compliance exercise – it’s about meeting rising expectations for speed, transparency, and accessibility.</p> As instant payments become mainstream, the role of global banks is more crucial than ever. Institutions are actively investing in the infrastructure, standards, and security required to deliver on the promise of real-time payments. The adoption of ISO 20022 messaging and the development of seamless, data-rich payment solutions are just a few ways banks are ensuring that clients – from multinational corporates to local businesses – can benefit from the new era of payments. Leading banks are already collaborating with technology partners and regulators to drive innovation, scale, and reliability across the payments ecosystem.</p> The impact of instant payments extends far beyond speed. For corporates, the benefits are tangible: improved cash flow visibility, immediate confirmation of funds, and the ability to automate treasury operations in ways that were previously impossible. This shift is prompting companies to rethink their internal processes and liquidity strategies, moving from batch processing to real-time cash management. Banks are supporting this transition by offering tools and insights that help clients optimise working capital and seize new opportunities in a 24/7 global economy.</p> Perhaps the most exciting development is the move from domestic to cross-border instant payments. New corridors – like those linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Singapore’s PayNow, or Europe’s “One-Leg Out” (OCT Inst) scheme – are making it possible to send money internationally with the same speed and certainty as domestic transfers. Achieving this requires more than just technology. It demands harmonised standards, real-time FX management, and coordinated efforts to ensure compliance and security across jurisdictions. When these elements come together, clients gain a true competitive edge – global banks are uniquely positioned to connect these dots, leveraging their networks and expertise to enable seamless cross-border experiences and unlock new business opportunities.</p> Instant payments are redefining the boundaries of what’s possible in financial services. Technology, client expectations and regulation are converging to create a more open, competitive, and innovative landscape. The question is no longer if </em>instant payments will become the norm, but how prepared we are for the ripple effects, particularly across borders. For those shaping this transformation, the mandate is clear: deliver not only speed, but also security, resilience, and in combination meaningful value. The next phase isn’t just about faster transactions – it’s about reimagining the way money moves in a truly connected world.</p> This blog is part of a series from the participants of the </em>STAR scholarship programme</em></a>, which brings together women in finance from around the world and champions the leaders of tomorrow. The opinions expressed reflect the personal views of the author and not their organisation, Sibos or Swift.</em></p>