For three amazing days, the capital of Germany has once again transformed into the center of the payments revolution and we are excited to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.
The Merchant Payments Ecosystem (MPE) conference, now in its 16th edition, once again took center stage in Berlin, Germany, bringing together leaders and innovators in the payments industry for three action-packed days.
With over 1300 attendees from more than 40 countries, MPE 2023 was a melting pot of ideas, insights, and collaborations. Maxcode, a leading fintech and software development company, had a strong presence at the event, showcasing their next level tech services and fostering meaningful connections with industry leaders and customers.
Next Level Tech at booth W24
Maxcode’s booth at MPE was a hub of activity, with visitors eager to learn more about the company’s offerings and engage in discussions about the future of payments. The team, including Business Development Manager Andreea Zanfirescu, Marketing Specialist Andreea Nita, CTO Adrian Marinica, and Marketing Director Trudy de Jong, welcomed a diverse range of attendees, from merchants and acquirers to payment service providers (PSPs) and point of sale (POS) software and hardware vendors.
During conversations with visitors, we had the chance to promote our talent hub in Romania – where our development center is located – but also present our next level tech services and way of working. Those curious to learn more about what we do and how we do it had the chance to sign up for our tech audit. The process gives them the opportunity to experience our collaborative, highly qualitative approach to building a product without actually having to commit to a longer partnership.
The audit managed to spark some interesting talks about how good payment/fintech solutions need more than state-of-the-art technology to be reliable and quickly adopted by consumers and organizations.
In today’s payments ecosystem, it is key to be able to adapt to all areas related to the industry, to understand the different needs and challenges and be able to view things from various angles, not only from a technical perspective. Building a payment solution has to become a matter of collaboration between tech, business, and regulation, with all of them being interconnected.
Tradition and innovation at MPE with Maxcode’s CTO
Apart from our exciting booth activities, the 3-day presence at MPE was filled with discussions about what’s new at the event and what is happening in the payments space.
On the second day of the event, our CTO had a brief interview with Fintech Finance News, an online media outlet covering MPE this year. Asked what piqued his interest at the event so far, Adrian mentioned he was impressed by the blend between innovative solutions and ideas and the ‘back to basics’ approach in terms of payments. Thought leaders on stage and exhibitors addressed, among other themes, the new era for mobile payments, AI-powered KYC and cashless societies, while also bringing in an updated vision of the more traditional services, such as PSPs, online banking and fraud prevention.
When it comes to POS ‘the dumber, the better’
Spirits were high throughout the conference due to the great atmosphere, yet the energy levels rose even higher on the last day, as our CTO took the stage to talk more about how we use next level tech to help clients solve real problems.
The idea of setting people at the same table to discuss a payment solution from all standpoints was reiterated during the panel, with everyone involved agreeing it is time to close the gap between business and tech. This brings a competitive advantage for the companies that manage to do that because it allows them to build a product that is much more in line with market expectations.
When the discussion shifted towards the specific topics of POS devices and their inevitable demise at the hands of SoftPOS, panelists took turns sharing their appreciation of the innovation brought by the new solutions. Our CTO unveiled his cautionary view on how smart solutions open the door for attackers, and especially how payment-related flows are the largest targets, appreciating how when it comes to POSs, “the dumber, the better”.
The ideas conveyed by the three panelists were inspiring and the conversation went smoothly with everyone getting to share their wisdom on building and/or using payment solutions and what the future has in store for us. The audience was also gripped by the ideas expressed and the group dynamic.
Payments work, why are there 1300 people here discussing it?
On Tuesday early morning, the 2023 edition of the MPE was kicked off by David Birch, with his usual blend of knowledge and British charm. Sharing a small anecdote about being able to pay for his accommodation with Apple Pay, he hinted from the very beginning that there is still a lot going on in payments and even more to be discovered, regardless of the progress made so far. This idea set the tone for the rest of the conference.
The main topics tackled at the conference were payment orchestration, cashless trends, cybersecurity, open banking and digital onboarding, to name just a few.
In addition to discussions on technology and innovation, MPE 2023 also addressed important societal issues such as sustainability and social responsibility. Many speakers emphasized the role of payment providers in promoting environmentally friendly and socially conscious practices. For instance, some payment providers are leveraging blockchain technology to track supply chains and ensure sustainable sourcing of products. This reflects the growing awareness and importance of sustainability in the payments industry.
Another key theme at MPE was cybersecurity and fraud monitoring, given the increasing prominence of digital payments. As payment technologies advance, so do the risks associated with fraud and cyber threats. Industry experts shared insights and best practices to mitigate these risks and ensure secure payment transactions in the digital age.
Beyond the formal sessions, MPE also provided ample opportunities for networking and building meaningful connections. Maxcode’s team had engaging discussions with fellow industry players, exchanging ideas, and exploring potential collaborations. The conference provided a platform for fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and building a strong ecosystem of industry leaders and stakeholders.
Looking ahead, Maxcode is committed to leveraging the insights and connections gained from MPE 2023 to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions for their customers. The company recognizes the importance of collaboration and understanding the evolving needs of the payments industry to jointly build the world of tomorrow using technology.
