Global Payments joined the European Payments Initiative as a Principal Member on 24 March 2026, committing to enable Wero acceptance across its Worldpay merchant client base. The membership brings one of Europe's largest independent acquirers into the EPI governance structure.
Global Payments completed its $24.25 billion acquisition of Worldpay from GTCR and FIS in January 2026. The combined entity operates substantial merchant acquiring infrastructure across European markets. As a Principal Member, Global Payments will integrate Wero into its acquiring platform over the coming months. Merchants on the platform will be able to offer Wero alongside existing card acceptance.
Wero launched in mid-2024 across Germany, France, and Belgium as a mobile-first account-to-account payment solution built on SEPA Instant Credit Transfer rails. The scheme has enrolled more than 52 million consumers since launch. Adding a major acquirer addresses the critical gap between consumer wallet adoption and merchant acceptance at physical and digital checkout.
The timing aligns with broader EPI momentum. Airwallex also became a Principal Member in recent weeks. EPI leadership has publicly stated that European concerns about dependence on dollar-denominated payment networks are accelerating merchant interest in the sovereign alternative.