A2A Payments in E-Commerce: Direct from the Account, Direct Advantage
Since January 9, 2025, European payment service providers have been required to accept instant payments. From October 9, 2025, they will also be obliged to send them – according to the Instant Payments Regulation (EU) 2024/886.
For e-commerce, this is not just about regulatory adjustments but also a huge opportunity: with instant payments becoming universally available, the path is clear for account-to-account (A2A) payments to break through in online retail.
finAPI expects that the new regulation will significantly accelerate the adoption of A2A payments. Both merchants and consumers benefit, and finAPI provides the technical backbone.
Efficiency and Security for Merchants
With A2A payments, online merchants gain more control, security, and efficiency in payment processing. Key advantages include:
- Low transaction costs without card fees or chargeback risks
- Fast liquidity, as payments are credited directly to the company account
- No chargebacks, since these are standard bank transfers
- Better transparency through seamless integration with accounting and inventory systems
In combination with identity checks or credit checks, A2A payments can be intelligently extended, adding extra protection against fraudulent transactions.
Convenience and Trust for Customers
For online shoppers, A2A payments bring tangible benefits in terms of convenience and security:
- Lightning-fast checkout using familiar online banking credentials
- No need for registration or additional wallets, A2A uses existing bank access
- Reliable transactions with “Verification of Payee” (VoP) to prevent misdirected or fraudulent transfers
- Low to no fees, similar to standard transfers
- Faster delivery, since merchants are notified of payment receipt instantly
Trust in A2A payments continues to grow, not least thanks to regulatory requirements and the added protection from VoP. (More on this in our dedicated blog post about VoP.)
finAPI: Technical Enabler for Instant Payments
With its Payment API, finAPI offers a modular, fully PSD2-compliant solution tailored to the needs of e-commerce businesses. In addition to classic SEPA transfers, finAPI supports instant payments, scheduled payments, and standing orders.
Ready for Growth through Regulation and Technical Maturity
The market is moving: according to a recent study by Juniper Research, a market research firm specializing in fintech and payments, the number of global A2A transactions will grow from 60 billion in 2024 to 186 billion in 2029, an increase of 209 percent.
Compared to other payment methods, A2A clearly stands out: fast settlement and lower transaction fees make them highly attractive for merchants. In Europe, the mandatory introduction of instant payments gives them an extra boost toward becoming the standard option in e-commerce.
Conclusion: A2A Payments in E-Commerce Deliver Strategic Value
A2A payments in e-commerce are more than a technical alternative. They represent a strategic upgrade for speed, cost control, and security. Customers enjoy a seamless checkout, merchants benefit from liquidity and clarity, and finAPI ensures everything works together: technologically advanced, compliant with regulation, and fully integrated into modern payment processes across many European markets.
Get started with A2A payments. Contact us today.
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