Five Belgian banks—Argenta, Bank Van Breda, Beobank, Crelan, and vdk bank—have announced their upcoming integration with the European Payments Initiative (EPI), a growing effort to offer a homegrown alternative to global payment giants. The banks plan to roll out the EPI’s flagship digital wallet, Wero, to customers starting in 2026.
The move signals a renewed push by European financial institutions to strengthen regional autonomy in payments infrastructure, countering the longstanding dominance of U.S.-based networks like Visa and Mastercard.
Wero, launched by EPI in 2023, is already live in France, Germany, and Belgium, with over 40 million users reported across the three markets. The wallet enables fast, secure, and user-friendly digital transactions, and is positioned as a scalable solution for both individual and business clients.
“We believe this step enhances our ability to offer clients—particularly entrepreneurs and professionals—a payment solution that meets the demands of a modern, digital-first economy,” said Dirk Wouters, CEO of Bank Van Breda.
The European Payments Initiative has faced hurdles in recent years, including the exit of several early backers. However, the onboarding of new members suggests regained momentum and growing confidence in a pan-European digital wallet framework.
EPI’s continued expansion is seen as a strategic step toward European payment sovereignty, enabling regional institutions to regain control over infrastructure critical to economic resilience and data privacy.
