Why infrastructure is fintech’s new frontier 

The global B2B payments market is projected to reach $124 trillion by 2028, driven by digitalisation, cross-border commerce, and the demand for real-time financial services. For fintechs, the opportunity to claim a greater share of this rapidly evolving market is substantial. However, capitalising on it requires more than front-end innovation. 

As fintech companies scale internationally, many are realising that internal infrastructure has not kept pace with the complexity of global operations. While legacy banking systems are often blamed for friction in cross-border payments, fintechs are increasingly contending with their own operational inefficiencies, created by disconnected platforms, fragmented processes, and varying compliance demands across regions. 

These limitations don’t just slow down progress, they undermine scalability, introduce risk, and erode the very agility that once set fintechs apart. 

To unlock the full potential of global B2B payments, firms must now refocus on the foundational systems that support secure, sustainable, and compliant growth at scale. 

The new benchmark for fintech success 

Fintechs have built their reputations on speed, flexibility and customer-centric design. But as the industry matures, these traits are no longer sufficient on their own. Scalability and operational resilience have emerged as the true differentiators in an increasingly complex financial landscape. 

Expanding across markets means navigating a highly fragmented global payments ecosystem, with varying regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements. This is evident in Europe, where enhanced SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) regulations are accelerating the shift toward near-instant settlement and deeper transparency. 

While such advancements are critical for harmonisation, they also introduce greater pressure on fintechs, particularly those managing multi-tiered client structures or operating across multiple jurisdictions. Systems designed for rapid deployment are often not equipped to handle these regulatory and operational demands at scale. 

The firms that will thrive are those that evolve from speed-focused disruptors into infrastructure-driven enterprises able to manage complex client relationships, fee structures, and compliance obligations with consistency and control. 

Why operational complexity is the new growth barrier 

As fintechs target new geographies and expand client offerings, they’re increasingly challenged by a single critical factor: operational complexity. 

Disconnected systems, manual processes and rigid fee models may function at a small scale, but as fintechs grow, these inefficiencies multiply, creating significant operational drag. For firms managing multi-level client relationships, tracking balances, transactions and fees across regions can quickly become a source of unnecessary costs and compliance risks. 

This is where many fintechs are losing ground. While traditional banks may innovate more slowly, their systems are purpose-built to handle complexity, supporting high transaction volumes, layered regulatory compliance, and sophisticated internal controls. 

To compete on equal footing, fintechs must prioritise infrastructure modernisation. That means replacing reactive workarounds with integrated systems that centralise workflows, automate reconciliation, and support dynamic fee structures without compromising oversight or scalability. 

Why fintechs must rethink B2B payments infrastructure  

There is a growing recognition across the financial services sector that the next phase of fintech growth will be driven not by front-end innovation, but by back-end performance. To compete effectively in the global B2B payments space, fintechs must invest in infrastructure capable of managing scale, complexity, and compliance with precision. 

This requires systems that can: