by Jackie Navarrete
The payments industry is undergoing a seismic transformation, and if there’s one thing recent moves by major players like Fiserv have made clear, it’s this: the future of payments is fast, embedded, and global.
Fiserv, a longstanding powerhouse in financial technology, has been on a strategic buying spree. In just the past year alone, they’ve snapped up a diverse array of companies—from Brazilian fintech Money Money to Australian facilitator Pinch Payments, European payment solutions provider CCV, and Canadian embedded finance platform Payfare—to deepen their capabilities across everything from embedded finance to real-time payments.
For those of us in the payment processing space, these moves aren’t just boardroom reshuffling—they’re strong signals about where the industry is headed and how we need to position ourselves.
Embedded Finance Is No Longer Optional
Fiserv’s March 2025 finalization of the Payfare Inc. acquisition is one of the clearest signs yet that embedded finance isn’t just a trend—it’s the future.
Payfare’s platform enables seamless financial services for gig economy workers, a segment that’s growing faster than your coffee consumption on a Monday morning. ☕
By bringing in a company that already integrates card programs, mobile apps, and microservices architecture, Fiserv is acknowledging what customers are demanding: personalized, frictionless, embedded experiences.
Bottom line:
For payment processors, it’s not just about moving money anymore; it’s about embedding payment services directly into platforms that serve niche communities. Think payroll advances for delivery drivers, real-time tipping for servers, or embedded savings apps for gig workers.
If you’re not riding this wave yet—you’re standing on the beach with a broken surfboard.
Real-Time Payments Are the New Standard
Speed used to be a “nice-to-have.” Now? It’s table stakes.
Fiserv’s previous acquisition of Dovetail showed their commitment to real-time rails like RTP® and Zelle®. But with the acceleration of embedded finance through Payfare, and now real-time merchant cash flow expansion via Money Money in Brazil, Fiserv is doubling down on immediacy.
If your company isn’t already offering real-time options or (at minimum) planning to, you’re setting yourself up for some serious “left at the station” vibes.
Faster payments don’t just improve customer satisfaction—they keep businesses alive by helping them manage cash flow better. Especially in tight-margin sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and retail.
International Expansion and Local Partnerships Matter
Fiserv’s 2025 playbook is clear: think global, partner local.
Let’s break it down:
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Skytef (Brazil) – Key distributor for SiTef® software, giving Fiserv an instant boost in Brazil’s booming digital payments market.
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Money Money (Brazil) – Extends their receivables-based financing capabilities to Brazilian merchants.
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Pinch Payments (Australia/New Zealand) – Opens new doors across APAC for orchestrated payment solutions.
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CCV (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) – Strengthens Fiserv’s Clover platform expansion into Europe, tapping into a well-established merchant base.
It’s not enough to just show up internationally anymore—you need the local street cred to make things happen.
The real lesson here? Local partnerships aren’t “nice-to-have.” They’re your growth hacks in regional markets.
Core Infrastructure Still Matters
While the buzz is often about front-end glitz—shiny apps and one-tap checkouts—Fiserv hasn’t forgotten that serious money still moves through back-end rails.
Their earlier acquisitions of Finxact (modern, cloud-native core banking) and AdviceAmerica (investment services software) show they’re building their own digital “superhighway.”
Without a flexible, scalable, cloud-friendly infrastructure, you’re basically trying to win the Indy 500 in a ’92 Honda Civic. Cute, but… no.
If your current tech stack can’t move fast, integrate fast, and pivot fast—you’re in for a rough ride.
What This Means for the Rest of Us
Fiserv is making big moves, but let’s be clear: they don’t own the future.
You can still win—without buying five companies a year. Here’s how:
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Deliver real-time payment capabilities — ASAP, not “someday.”
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Offer embedded solutions — tailored for niche audiences.
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Build (or partner for) a modular tech stack — cloud-native, API-driven, flexible.
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Think globally, act locally — find trusted partners in new markets.
The payments ecosystem is being rewritten right now.
The winners will be those who don’t just react—they reimagine their roles.
Final Thoughts
Fiserv’s 2025 acquisitions—from Payfare to Money Money to CCV and Pinch Payments—aren’t just about expanding territory. They’re about reshaping the payments landscape around speed, embedded services, and local expertise.
For the rest of us in payments? The signal is loud and clear: stay nimble, invest in the future, and (for the love of all things fintech) put the customer experience front and center.
This isn’t just evolution—it’s revolution. And it’s moving faster than ever.
