Today, we’re delighted to feature a guest post from our friends at Silverflow, creators of next generation payment technology. We welcome pitches for guest posts, which are free and depend on the quality of the submission, rather than payment.
by Robert Kraal, co-founder, Silverflow
For many merchants, payments can feel like a black box. Money moves in, but questions continue to linger: “Why was this transaction declined?”, “Why does expanding internationally feel so complicated?” In the payments industry, the lesson is the same – technology without a clear merchant need rarely succeeds. Yet many PSPs, acquirers and PayFacs risk falling into this trap, focusing on features rather than solving real problems for merchants.
At first glance, payments can seem like a simple utility – connect the system and money flows in. Many businesses focus solely on speed and cost. Of course, cost matters – cashflow is critical, and even small savings can add up. But reducing payments to a commodity overlooks the operational and strategic value they bring. Like cheap shoes that fall apart quickly, a low-cost solution that creates inefficiencies or limits growth can end up costing far more than it saves.
Today’s merchants expect more than just “getting paid.” They want payment technology that works for them, enabling growth and removing friction. Every false decline, for example, is not just a lost transaction, it’s lost revenue and diminished customer loyalty. Merchants need systems that offer visibility and smarter controls to minimise declines without compromising security. Similarly, they expect speed and flexibility in adopting new payment methods, from BNPL and account-to-account transfers to super-app integrations, so they can meet customers wherever they are.
Global expansion further underscores the gap between legacy systems and modern expectations. Accepting multiple currencies is no longer enough. Merchants need help navigating local regulations, consumer preferences, and compliance requirements. Tools that simplify cross-border payments, including dynamic currency conversion and seamless integration with local methods, allow merchants to grow internationally with confidence.
Underlying all these expectations is the need for infrastructure that can support them. Many providers still rely on systems built decades ago, patched over time, and incapable of meeting the demands of a digital-first economy. Modern merchants expect modular, scalable platforms with rich analytics, real-time reporting and seamless API integration. Payment orchestration, for example, intelligently routes transactions across multiple providers, optimising for speed, cost and reliability – a feature that only works on a foundation designed for today’s complexity.
Ultimately, merchants don’t just want to get paid – they want payments to drive efficiency, insight and growth. Providers who understand this, and who invest in flexible, cloud-native platforms, will not only meet expectations but open new opportunities for their clients. The question isn’t simply, “What do merchants want from payments technology?” It’s: “Are you ready to deliver it?”
To learn more, visit: https://www.silverflow.com/
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