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Futuristech

Insights

Perspectives on the business of payments.

Short, practical notes on the commercial, regulatory and technical decisions that shape payment businesses. Written by the team that works on them.

Advisory28 Oct 2026

Own licence or partner institution? A commercial way to decide

The licensing question is usually framed as a regulatory one. It is better framed as a question about control, cost and timing — and the answer is rarely permanent.

6 min read
Payments14 Oct 2026

What issuer processing actually covers

Issuing is often described as card management. In practice it is a set of connected controls, decisions and settlement obligations that have to work together.

6 min read
Payments30 Sept 2026

The economics of a card programme

Before choosing a processor or an issuing partner, model the unit economics. Most programme decisions are settled by a handful of variables.

7 min read
Connectivity16 Sept 2026

Embedded finance: build, buy or connect

The question is not whether to embed financial services, but how much of the regulated stack you want to own — and how much you want to rent.

6 min read
Payments2 Sept 2026

Acquiring is a servicing business, not a gateway

Merchants rarely leave an acquirer because a transaction failed. They leave because the exception was never resolved.

5 min read

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