Tag: payment

DLX Pay & Air Transat in Action

Since going live with DLX Pay, Air Transat has rapidly transformed its payment operations – capturing 6.6% of failed transactions through intelligent, dynamic retry capabilities, successfully onboarded a new payment service provider (PSP) in time for go-live to demonstrate the platform’s agility, and proving DLX Pay’s scalability by processing over $400 million in transactions within the first three months of deployment.
Following the launch of DLX Pay in 2025, Air Transat became the first airline to sign up and go-live with it just months later. A modular, next-generation payment platform designed to improve payment performance and agility, it strengthens operational resilience and delivers greater control to airlines to ultimately enhance the end-to-end customer experience while increasing conversion and revenue opportunities.
The Challenge:
Like many airlines across the globe, Air Transat faced the complexity of managing payments across multiple markets, currencies, and payment methods. Combined with the need to integrate with numerous PSPs, typically at high costs, created a significant challenge. Legacy technology tends to lack the flexibility to quickly onboard new providers, leading to lengthy delivery cycles driving up costs. Additionally, Air Transat experienced limited retry capabilities for failed transactions, restricted visibility of controls and analytics, and a need to support local payment preferences while simultaneously maintaining robust fraud controls.
Solution & Results:
To tackle these challenges, Air Transat implemented DLX Pay for greater control over its payment processes which improved conversion rates, reduced costs, system stability and provided valuable insights through advanced reporting. DLX Pay proved its scalability from the outset, processing over US$400 million in the first 3 months.
  • Dynamic Retries Capturing Lost Revenue
DLX Pay introduced intelligent retry capabilities that were previously unavailable to Air Transat. Over the last three months, this functionality has automatically recovered 6.6% of declined sales by intelligently retrying soft declines from one PSP to be retried with an alternative. This capability works to prevent Air Transat from losing revenue due to failed transactions.
  • No Code Configuration
 With DLX Pay’s configurator and insights dashboard, Air Transat can identify suspected fraudulent activity and optimise fraud prevention and authentication through rule-based flows that trigger appropriate countermeasures. Air Transat can make changes in production via the self-service configuration portal without code changes.
  • Rapid Onboarding new PSPs for Faster Time to Market
With 50+ PSPs already available, DLX Pay drastically accelerates the onboarding of new payment methods and integrations. What previously took months now takes a matter of weeks, meaning reduced complexity and cost and the ability to confidently engage with new and innovative payment methods.
The rapid onboarding of new PSPs was proven at launch when DLX Pay was activated and, at the same time, the platform seamlessly added a new PSP in the background, which went live alongside DLX Pay.
  • More Actionable Insights, More Readily Available
Access to real-time insights in the DLX Pay Configurator, DLX Pay’s dedicated no-code dashboard, offers a consolidated view of payment performance across providers and markets. This enhanced visibility has shifted Air Transat’s approach to managing payments from a reactive function to a proactive, data-driven strategy leading to continuous optimisation and informed decision-making.
Additionally, Air Transat can use the DLX Pay Configurator to implement new payment routing rules or adjust existing ones without any development resources. Through the insight portal, Air Transat can easily identify fraudulent transactions and associated amounts. Likewise, the dashboard delivers data and analytics that are not available from PSPs alone, enabling deeper analysis and more effective troubleshooting.
Future Capabilities & Roadmap:
Building on the initial success, Air Transat and Datalex have a strong roadmap in place for the coming 12 months. Key areas of focus which can be achieved with minimal investment:
  • Adding further Forms of Payments and exploring new Payment Connectors
  • Evolving the usage of Dynamic Routing to further optimise costs
  • Driving down fraud levels using Dynamic Routing driven by insights
  • Exploring Network Tokens to improve authorisation rates
Conclusion
Activating DLX Pay has transformed Air Transat’s payment operations, driven improved performance and restored control of its payment ecosystem, all while reducing complexities and operational costs. With enhanced visibility, intelligent retry and routing capabilities, and the ability to rapidly onboard new PSPs, Air Transat is positioned to flexibly and continuously respond to evolving customer and market demands. The scalability and future-focus of DLX Pay means Air Transat can continue to deliver a seamless and secure customer experience while being at the forefront of payment innovations.
“DLX Pay has improved significantly the way we manage payments on Air Transat.com, giving us much greater control, flexibility, and visibility. Intelligent retry capabilities are helping us recover revenue that was previously lost, while the ability to rapidly onboard new PSPs enables us to optimise costs, increase conversion, and ultimately deliver a seamless booking experience for our passengers.” said Bamba Sissoko, CIO at Air Transat.
“We developed DLX Pay to address the challenges that airlines face on a day-to-day basis when it comes to payments. Seeing the immediate results achieved by Air Transat after go-live – from revenue recovered from successful retries to rapid scalability – demonstrates the power of an airline-specific payment orchestration platform to drive growth. DLX Pay empowers Air Transat with the control, agility, and insights required to elevate the customer experience and adapt quickly to market changes” said Jonathan Rockett, CEO of Datalex.

Revolut to Enable Frictionless Checkout Across All Agentic Commerce Platforms

Revolut, a global financial leader,has announced a new strategic pillar for Revolut Pay, with plans to make its seamless, one-tap checkout solution compatible across the emerging landscape of agentic commerce. This is underpinned by Revolut Pay becoming one of the first EU payment methods compatible with Google’s Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). This strategic focus will help position Revolut Pay as both the secure, universal, 1-tap payment solution for consumers and a powerful sales booster for Revolut Business merchants in conversational and automated shopping environments.

Through close collaboration with Google, Revolut has become one of the first EU payment methods compatible with AP2. AP2 is an open protocol developed with leading payments and technology companies to securely initiate and transact agent-led payments across platforms. In concert with industry rules and standards, it establishes a payment-agnostic framework for users, merchants, and payments providers to transact with confidence across all types of payment methods. In addition, Revolut has  contributed directly to Google’s AP2 open protocol by adapting the flows specifically for account-to-account payments. 

“The future of shopping isn’t a website; it’s a conversation. We aim to move beyond the click-and-pay model to a world where your AI assistant streamlines the checkout for you,” said Alex Codina, General Manager of Acquiring at Revolut. “By enabling Revolut Pay for Agentic Commerce, we are aiming to make our customers’ favourite, most secure payment experience the standard for AI-driven transactions. This will ensure speed, trust, and absolute zero friction for the next generation of digital buying.”

“The future of digital commerce relies on trust, security and speed. By leveraging Google’s AP2 protocol, Revolut will remove friction from AI-assisted shopping. Together, Revolut and Google are transforming digital commerce for millions of users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK,” said Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA.

Revolut Pay ensures that customers’ transactions are handled with Revolut’s secure infrastructure, including instant notifications and integrated fraud monitoring. The process creates a cleaner, more secure experience for customers and boosts conversion rates for merchants. It also offers a trusted, familiar payment rail for this novel commerce channel.

For Revolut Business merchants, the strategic value of embracing Agentic Commerce lies in preparing for the future of payments. This foundational work and strategic commitment to full payment rail support ensures Revolut remains a trusted partner empowering merchants to thrive in the evolving agentic commerce ecosystem.

These ambitions are illustrative of Revolut’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. By ensuring Revolut Pay compatibility with any agent, Revolut is directly addressing the shift in how consumers will interact with the digital economy, ensuring its core payment product is present wherever commerce occurs next.

Best Accountant for Crypto in UK: Built for Investors Tired of Spreadsheet Chaos

What Kind of Crypto Investor Are You? Pick the Right Accountant for UK Taxes

Crypto portfolios come in all shapes. Some hold a few coins for years. Others trade hourly. Then there are DeFi users mixing staking, swaps, and liquidity pools. Because each profile pays taxes differently, the choice of accountant matters. That’s where a specialist built for the crypto crowd, like Crypto Tax Made Easy, becomes a serious advantage when searching for the best accountant for crypto in uk.

Four Types of Crypto Investors, And What They Need

The Casual Holder, Small Wallet, Simple Gains

Casual holders buy tokens, wait months or years, then sell when prices climb. These investors may only need capital gains tax reporting when they sell. They benefit from a straightforward tax return and clean record of holdings. A crypto tax accountant helps track cost basis and sale dates to calculate gains accurately for a self assessment tax return.

The Frequent Trader, Many Trades, Many Wallets

Frequent traders shift coins between wallets, exchanges, tokens. Each move can trigger taxable events. Keeping track of cost basis, swaps, and disposals becomes tricky quickly. A specialist accountant brings value here. They reconcile every transaction, apply fair market value for each trade, and build comprehensive reporting, avoiding inflated tax liabilities from guesswork or incomplete records.

The DeFi Participant, Staking, Pools, and Extra Income Streams

DeFi activity adds complexity. Staking rewards, liquidity pool returns, airdrops, swaps, each item may carry separate tax implications under UK law. A crypto tax advisor familiar with digital asset taxation sees the difference. They calculate income tax where required. They classify capital gains when assets leave liquidity pools. They verify taxable events for every action.

The Business or Side‑Gig Operator, Crypto as Income or Payment

Some users run businesses or side ops that accept crypto as payment. It introduces accounting services broader than personal tax. Firms need to handle crypto income, bookkeeping, corporation tax (if relevant), and compliance under UK rules. A chartered accountant with experience in cryptocurrency accounting supports bookkeeping and tax reporting tailored to business activity.

Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All for Tax Accounting

Crypto activity isn’t uniform. Tax needs vary by volume, frequency, and transaction type. Traditional accountants offer standard services, income, dividends, property, but rarely cover crypto‑specific demands. Without expertise, mismatches in tax reporting can happen.

A leading crypto accountant UK knows crypto assets behave differently. They understand how swaps, chain bridges, and token rewards impact tax position. They know when capital gains or income tax applies. The expertise reduces mistakes and protects investors from avoidable tax liabilities or audit risk.

What Smart Crypto Tax Services Offer

  • Full transaction reconciliation across multiple wallets and exchanges
  • Accurate tracking of cost basis, buy dates, and sale or swap dates
  • Clear classification of income vs gains, especially for staking, airdrops, or DeFi rewards
  • Preparation of clean reports or summaries for self assessment tax return
  • Advisory service and tax planning for future trades or income streams

Firms like Crypto Tax Made Easy built systems to support all types of investors, from casual holders to active traders. Their staff treats every transaction as taxable unless proven otherwise. The kind of attention matters most for frequent traders or business‑based crypto users.

Match Your Style, Know What Questions to Ask

When choosing a crypto tax advisor, keep these in mind:

  • How many transactions can they handle without errors?
  • Do they support a variety of activities, trades, staking, pools, wallets, business payments?
  • Can they rebuild past years’ records if data is incomplete?
  • Do they provide clear cost‑basis tracking and documentation?
  • What’s their fee structure, flat, tiered, or per hour?

Your answers determine whether they suit a casual investor, active trader, DeFi enthusiast, or business user.

Why More UK Investors Are Moving to Crypto‑Focused Firms

Crypto activity in the UK keeps growing. Tax laws treat crypto as property or income depending on activity. People who hold coins, trade frequently, or run crypto‑based businesses face merging tax rules for capital gains, income tax, and accounting compliance. A crypto accounting firm understands all moving parts and helps investors keep control of their tax position, not the other way around.

Crypto Tax Made Easy remains a solid reference point for investors evaluating which firm fits their style. Their workflow works for different investor profiles. Their track record spans casual holders to high‑volume traders.

If a tax year includes more than a few trades, includes staking or DeFi activity, or involves crypto income, a crypto‑savvy accountant may be exactly the right move.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to report all my crypto transactions to calculate my tax position?

Yes, each crypto transaction, including swaps, sells, and spends, may create tax obligations and must be tracked for accurate reporting.

Can chartered tax advisers help with crypto tax liability?

Yes, qualified tax professionals with experience in crypto taxation provide guidance on tax obligations and help minimize crypto tax liability where possible.

How do I know if I need to pay capital gains tax on my crypto?

If you dispose of crypto assets at a gain, you’re typically subject to capital gains tax depending on the holding period and fair market value at the time of sale.

What kind of crypto assets tax assistance does Crypto Tax Made Easy provide?

The firm offers full-service crypto tax reports and advisory built around complex cryptocurrency transactions across wallets, chains, and software.

Should I use a crypto tax calculator or seek advice from a specialist?

Crypto tax calculators can help estimate totals, but investors with high transaction volumes should seek advice from crypto tax specialists for accurate reporting.

Are UK tax laws different when it comes to crypto income or inheritance tax?

Crypto Tax Made Easy does not currently claim expertise in UK tax laws or inheritance tax matters, so UK investors should consult a local specialist.

Why do leading crypto tax accountants focus on tax advice for crypto assets?

Because crypto is subject to capital gains and income tax rules, leading crypto tax professionals focus on helping clients understand and meet tax obligations with clarity.

The First 90 Days After a Sale: The Make-or-Break Window for Your Cash Flow

For most small and medium businesses, the sale isn’t really the finish line. It’s the starting point of a delicate countdown — the first 90 days after the invoice goes out. Those three months quietly determine whether your business runs smoothly or spends the quarter scrambling to cover bills, pay suppliers, or delay projects because the money you earned hasn’t arrived yet.

It’s a window that doesn’t get talked about enough. Most teams focus on closing deals, delivering work, or delighting customers. But the period right after a sale is where your cash-flow story is written.

Why the First 90 Days Matter More Than Any Other Phase

Customers rarely pay late because of a dramatic issue. It’s almost always tiny things that snowball — the invoice got buried in someone’s inbox, a team member left, their internal approval process took longer than expected, or the client assumed someone else had handled it.

The longer an invoice waits to be seen or addressed, the more likely it is to drift into “later,” and later slowly drifts into “overdue.”

Here’s what makes the first 90 days the most critical period:

  • People are most responsive immediately after a purchase
  • Motivation to tie up loose ends fades quickly
  • Accounting cycles move slowly in many organizations
  • Internal approvals often stall without reminders
  • Early lapses become harder to correct after multiple billing cycles

If your business doesn’t have a structured follow-up rhythm built into those first three months, your chance of getting paid on time shrinks with each passing week.

Early Engagement Sets the Tone for Payment Behavior

The first few days after a sale are when your customer experience is at its highest point. They’ve just chosen you. They’re happy. They’re invested. It’s the perfect moment to reinforce expectations — including how and when payment happens.

SMBs often hesitate to emphasize payment terms too directly, but clarity isn’t rude. It’s professional. And setting clear expectations early doesn’t just help you get paid sooner; it builds trust.

Simple things make a big difference here:

  • Sending a friendly “next steps” email immediately after the sale
  • Reiterating payment terms in plain language
  • Giving customers multiple payment methods
  • Clarifying who approves invoices on their side
  • Asking for the best billing contact before the first invoice goes out

These steps don’t feel like “collections.” They feel like organized onboarding — and customers appreciate it.

What Happens When the First 30 Days Are Quiet

If there’s one period where businesses lose control of their cash flow, it’s days 1–30 after the invoice goes out. Not intentionally — they’re just busy. The team jumps into delivery, support, fulfillment, you name it. The admin part of the sale gets pushed to the background.

Meanwhile, the customer is equally distracted, and the invoice gets buried under their own pile of priorities.

This is when many invoices unintentionally slip into overdue territory, not because someone refused to pay, but because no one was paying attention.

So the pattern goes like this:

  • Week 1: “We’ll pay it soon.”
  • Week 2: “I’ll get to it tomorrow.”
  • Week 3: “What was that invoice number again?”
  • Week 4: “We’ll add it to next month’s batch.”

A simple, consistent process prevents that slide before it even starts.

The 60-Day Mark: Where Cash Flow Gets Shaky

Once an invoice hits 60 days overdue, you’re in a danger zone. Not because the customer is unreliable — but because human psychology starts working against you.

At this point:

  • They might feel embarrassed they haven’t paid
  • They’re less likely to respond quickly
  • The invoice is no longer fresh in their mind
  • Their internal cycle has rolled over
  • The “I’ll deal with it later” instinct strengthens

And for your business, everything starts tightening. Cash flow planning gets blurry. Investments get delayed. Suddenly you’re juggling instead of growing.

Why Some Invoices Drift Into “Never Paid” Territory

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most SMB owners eventually learn: the older an invoice becomes, the harder it is to recover.

After 90 days, payment probability drops sharply. After 120 days, the odds get grim. By the time you hit 180 days, it often isn’t about collections strategy anymore — it’s about damage control.

Most silent non-payers don’t set out to become non-payers. They drift into it. The communication fades, the urgency fades, and finally the relationship fades.

But all of this is preventable with the right structure in that early 90-day window.

The Power of Routine (Even If You Hate Reminders)

A consistent follow-up rhythm saves SMBs more than they realise. It reduces the emotional exhaustion of chasing payments and creates a steady, predictable pattern your customers come to expect.

The most effective rhythms usually include:

  • Automatically sending reminders before the due date
  • A check-in a few days after the invoice goes out
  • One reminder at the halfway point
  • A friendly nudge on the due date
  • A firmer message if the invoice becomes overdue
  • Clear escalation steps if it continues beyond 30 days

This is where account receivable automation software quietly becomes the behind-the-scenes hero. It’s not about being aggressive; it’s about staying consistent even when your team is swamped.

Turning the First 90 Days Into a Cash Flow Advantage

When you build structure into that crucial 90-day period, everything downstream gets easier:

  • Cash flow becomes predictable
  • Customer relationships stay healthier
  • You avoid the shame-and-silence spiral of late payments
  • You catch issues early instead of wrestling with them months later
  • You spend less time chasing and more time growing

The first 90 days aren’t just an admin phase. They’re an opportunity — the chance to turn a sale into revenue without friction or worry.

The Window You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Every business owner knows closing deals is essential. But turning deals into timely, reliable cash is what keeps the lights on and growth steady. The first 90 days after a sale are where that transformation happens — or where it falls apart.

With the right communication, consistent follow-ups, and a system that takes the pressure off your team, that window becomes less of a risk and more of a strength.

 

Beyond Swift: The revolution of instant international payment solutions

For over half a century now, the global financial system has relied on a SWIFT mechanism that, in 2026, feels archaic. It was certainly revolutionary at the time for the banking messaging system that it is. It helped create a safer and more orderly way to get money from one bank to another.

Today, it’s seen as legacy infrastructure that brings with it a lot of friction. A transfer can take days to settle (in the 80s, sending money from the UK to Hong Kong in three days was impressive!), while fees are now seen as high and quite unpredictable. And, perhaps most disappointingly for a correspondence system, tracking the location of the funds is difficult. 

While information travels instantly, money has lagged behind – partly because replacing a large global system, which takes fraud seriously, is understandably sticky. But a quiet revolution has been happening from the bottom up. API-first financial infrastructure has been booming over the past decade, and alternative finance is growing so big that it no longer feels like an alternative.

The problem with legacy systems

To understand the magnitude of this revolution, you first have to appreciate the inefficiencies of the current status quo. Traditional Swift is a chain of correspondent banks – money doesn’t actually go from point A to B, but it passes through a series of intermediaries, all of which collect their own fee.

This structure is therefore inherently opaque. A business might send $10,000, but the recipient might receive $9,850. If the business says it wants the recipient to receive $10,000, then the sender will pay high fees, and it often won’t be clear whether they’re wire fees, exchange spreads, and so on. 

How modern API-first solutions work

The solution to this is interoperability and direct connection. Modern fintechs aim to be borderless, and they’re building their own “financial infrastructure” to achieve it. They might use SWIFT when it works out best, or they might establish entities in multiple countries and connect directly to local banking systems. They might use treasury tricks, where they can deposit/withdraw money from multiple users simultaneously to align a transfer, and achieve it even with no money ever crossing the border. In the end, it’s about choices, flexibility, and being agile.

This API-first approach means instant settlement. Because the payout is a local bank transfer, it clears within seconds.  Plus, the fees are clearer and the tracking is more accurate (fewer intermediaries).

The advantage for global business

For treasury managers and CFOs, the ability to consolidate liquidity is a game-changer for obvious reasons. Before, expanding into new regions like Latin America or Southeast Asia meant opening multiple local bank accounts, which was a bureaucratic nightmare, whether you’re a large corporation or an independent store.

Modern platforms allow users to see their global finances in one view. Through a single API integration, a company can automate pay-ins and pay-outs in dozens of countries. This means it’s easier to track liquidity and cash flow, but it also means it’s easier to manage multiple currencies and have an FX strategy. You can build up reserves in a multi-currency account wallet and execute timely transactions when the exchange rate is favourable (or when it’s large enough to get a bulk FX discount).

Who is driving the change?

Transparent cross-border payments are made up of global generalists and specialized regional experts. Wise is perhaps the most recognizable name and it was an early mover in setting the standard for transparency and mid-market exchange rates, while Airwallex carved out a strong position by offering a comprehensive platform that combines payments with card issuing and expense management – ideal for larger enterprises. 

Latin America is always an interesting environment because it has historically been characterized by fragmented banking systems. Belvo has set the standard for Open Finance, as they’ve helped build the API rails so businesses can access banking data and initiate payments in markets like Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. On the issuing side, Pomelo provides the cloud-native infrastructure to help companies launch and scale, while Dock operates heavily in the background as a banking-as-a-service powerhouse.

Prometeo has positioned itself to focus specifically on borderless banking for treasury management. Here, the international payment solution provides a single API that consolidates these local networks to allow for automated liquidity movement between Latin America and the US.

Value movement

Instant international payments is still a new concept to larger banks. But for those looking to take advantage of maturing open banking regulations, payments is an area which is improving in quality while decreasing in cost. It has come at a time of the rise of crypto, which is in part how crypto has been kept at bay away from mainstream use. Going forward, it’s unlikely to see large corporations embrace interoperability because it’s a playing field leveller, and so bottom-up fintech movements will continue to shape consumer experience.

Payrails announces 50 jobs over 3 years in new Dublin office

Payrails, the enterprise-grade modular payment operating system, today announced the opening of its new office in Dublin, marking a significant milestone in the company’s European expansion strategy.

As part of its long‑term investment in local markets, Payrails will hire 50 new staff, in both commercial and technical roles, over the next 3 years. The Dublin office will serve as a hub to deepen relationships with enterprise merchants operating throughout Europe, enhance local support, and accelerate innovation in its product portfolio while helping businesses to simplify and scale their payment operations.

Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said  “The creation of 50 new roles over the next three years demonstrates the continued confidence international firms have in Ireland’s skilled workforce. Our government remains focused on supporting ambitious companies like Payrails as they scale and invest in local talent.”

“Establishing a Dublin presence is a deliberate step in our European expansion. Ireland offers both a sophisticated fintech ecosystem and access to world-class talent, making it an ideal hub for deepening relationships with enterprises in the region,” said Orkhan Abdullayev, CEO & Co‑Founder, Payrails. “Our strategy has always been to bring technology closer to clients so that we can be more responsive, more collaborative, and more effective. With this local base, we aim to deliver even stronger support, speed, and innovation to merchants operating across Europe.”

“Enterprise companies in Ireland, and more broadly across Europe, are increasingly demanding flexibility, control, and performance from their payments stack,” said Edward Moore, CRO, Payrails. “That’s exactly what Payrails offers: a modular, PSP‑agnostic operating system that gives them the ability to optimize across networks, acquirers, and markets. Opening a Dublin office is a signal of our commitment to those customers – our goal is not simply to sell a product, but to build long-term partnerships grounded in trust, reliability, and shared success.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said “Payrails’ commitment to growth in Ireland highlights the strength of our pro-business environment and the collaborative support offered by IDA Ireland. We look forward to partnering with them as they scale their operations and drive new opportunities in the payments sector.

Payrails’ expansion in Ireland complements its broader EMEA roadmap, responding to increased demand from large merchants seeking a next-generation payments stack that combines orchestration, analytics, and reconciliation in a unified, modular platform. By locating in Dublin, Payrails will also lean into Ireland’s strategic position in Europe’s payments and fintech ecosystem, benefiting from local infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and connectivity with major global operations.

JustTip partners with myPOS to streamline solutions for customers

Irish fintech startup JustTip has announced a strategic partnership with myPOS, the payments platform that powers seamless transactions across Europe. The collaboration integrates JustTip’s award-winning cashless tipping and service charge management technology directly into myPOS card terminals, delivering a powerful, fully compliant solution for the hospitality industry.

The integration allows customers to pay both their bill and a tip directly on a myPOS terminal, with payments routed to the merchant’s account, and tips automatically separated, processed, and distributed through JustTip’s transparent platform. Businesses gain access to real-time reporting, automated allocation, and written distribution policies that support compliance with Irish legislation.

In the first 12 weeks of the partnership, the collaboration, which is being rolled out across Europe, has processed more than €3 million in payments and €350,000 in tips, working with renowned clients including Marco Pierre White, Variety Jones, and Farmer Browns.

“Hospitality is under immense pressure to cut costs while keeping staff motivated and compliant with complex legislation,” said James Fahy, co-founder and CEO of JustTip. “By combining our technology with myPOS’s trusted payment infrastructure, we’re giving businesses a powerful, cost-saving solution that eliminates admin headaches, ensures transparency, and puts more money into staff’s pockets.”

The partnership also helps businesses reduce costs, eliminating the 11.15% PRSI charge on tips, while ensuring compliance with legislation in the UK and Ireland’s amended Payment of Wages (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022, which requires employers to show complete transparency on all tips as well as provide a breakdown of electronic tips and their distribution.

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs James Fahy and Ciara Walsh, JustTip emerged in response to outdated tipping practices that lacked transparency for staff and employers. Today, it is trusted by more than 650 companies across Ireland and the UK and is scaling rapidly into new European markets, bringing its unique blend of cashless tipping and tax-efficient automation to more businesses.

“This partnership is a major milestone for JustTip,” added Fahy. “It shows the appetite across Europe for modern, transparent solutions that not only keep businesses compliant but also strengthen trust between employers, employees, and customers.”

What it really takes to build your own payment gateway in 2025

For a growing number of businesses, managing the payment technology in-house has shifted from optional to essential for operational success. While third-party providers make it possible for almost any business to accept payments quickly, building a gateway from the ground up is a different challenge entirely. 

This article explores what it truly takes to build a payment gateway in 2025, the costs and challenges involved, and why many businesses opt for advanced orchestration platforms instead.

What is a payment gateway and why it matters

A payment gateway is a piece of technology that securely transfers payment information between the customer, the merchant, and the financial institutions involved in the transaction. It works like a digital point-of-sale terminal, confirming payment details, approving transactions, and making sure funds move quickly and safely.

The performance of a payment gateway can be the difference between a transaction completing in seconds or being abandoned altogether. If it’s slow or unreliable, it adds friction at a crucial moment in the buying process, which can lead to lost sales.

For global businesses, a payment gateway is far more than a back-end tool – it’s a strategic advantage. It influences the markets you can operate in, the currencies you can accept, and the level of fraud protection you can offer. In industries with high transaction volumes or greater risk, having full control over this infrastructure allows companies to adjust every stage of the payment process, from routing decisions to cost efficiency.

How does a secure payment gateway work

If you plan to create a payment gateway in-house, understanding how data moves between customers, merchants, and banks is essential to making informed architecture choices.

 

  1. Customer checkout: the buyer enters payment details on the merchant’s website or app.

  2. Encryption & transmission: sensitive data is encrypted and sent to the gateway.

  3. Routing to acquirer: the gateway forwards the request to the acquiring bank or payment processor.

  4. Card network processing: Visa, Mastercard, or alternative payment rails verify the transaction with the issuing bank.

  5. Authorisation & settlement: funds are authorised instantly and later settled into the merchant’s account.

Modern gateways also incorporate payment integrations with multiple acquirers, alternative payment methods (APMs), and fraud detection systems for a unified and efficient processing flow.

Payment gateway architecture: key components

A payment gateway’s architecture is the blueprint that determines how efficiently, securely, and reliably it can process transactions. In 2025, the best gateways are built on modular, API-first frameworks that allow flexibility, rapid integration, and future scalability.

 

At the core is the transaction processing engine – the component that manages the entire payment flow from authorisation requests to settlement. Around it are key layers, each with a specialised role:

 

  • Integration layer. Connects the gateway to banks, payment processors, alternative payment methods (APMs), and fraud prevention systems. A flexible integration layer ensures the gateway can add or switch providers without major redevelopment.

  • Security layer. Handles encryption, tokenisation, and fraud detection. It ensures sensitive cardholder data never leaves secure environments and that transactions are continuously monitored for risks.

  • Routing layer. Decides how transactions are sent to different acquirers or processors, optimising for speed, cost, or approval rates. In multi-acquirer setups, smart routing can significantly improve performance.

  • Compliance layer. Embeds regulatory and legal requirements into the system, such as PCI DSS, PSD2, and SCA, so that compliance infrastructure is automatic and consistent across all transactions.

  • Monitoring & analytics layer. Tracks transaction success rates, latency, and error patterns, providing real-time visibility into performance and enabling quick issue resolution.

Many organisations start with a modular, API-first design, then evaluate whether to continue building or partner with a payment orchestration provider to accelerate integrations and resilience.

Why it’s beneficial to create a custom payment solution

Building a custom payment solution gives businesses the ability to shape their payment infrastructure around their specific needs, rather than adapting their operations to fit an off-the-shelf system. This control can translate into higher efficiency, better user experiences, and measurable cost savings.

The key benefits include:

  • Full control over routing. Choose the most cost-effective or reliable path for each transaction, improve approval rates, and reduce fees.
  • Tailored payment flows. Customise checkout to match your brand, simplify repeat purchases, and offer the most relevant payment methods.
  • Enhanced security. Go beyond compliance with advanced fraud detection, tokenisation, and AI-powered risk checks.
  • Flexible growth. Add features, expand to new markets, and adopt new payment technologies without waiting on a provider’s roadmap.

Final takeaways

Building your own payment gateway offers unmatched control and flexibility, but it requires substantial investment, technical expertise, and ongoing operational effort. For most companies, the better option is to partner with a proven orchestration platform that offers the same capabilities while handling the complex parts – from licensing to integrations.