Europe needs to reduce reliance on US payment giants Visa and Mastercard urgently, says European Payments Initiative (EPI) head Martina Weimert. The European Central Bank reports Visa and Mastercard account for two-thirds of Eurozone card transactions, with 13 member states lacking national alternatives. EPI launched Wero in 2024 as a European alternative to Apple Pay, gaining 48.5 million users. ECB is working on a digital euro to enhance monetary sovereignty. Some banks oppose the digital euro, fearing it could weaken private-sector efforts. The proposal aims for digital euros to be accepted by merchants by 2029.

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4. Facebook unveils new feature allowing users to block political ads. Option aimed at giving users more control over their online experience. – CBS MarketWatch: EPI chief urges reduction in Europe’s dependence on Visa and Mastercard