GBO is a leading corporate services company that specializes in analyzing and reporting on corporate solutions across the globe.

With a team of expert analysts and writers, GBO provides insightful and in-depth coverage of the latest trends and developments in this rapidly-evolving field of PSD3.

 

What is PSD3?

The Payment Services Directive (PSD) is a legislative framework within the European Union (EU) that regulates payment services. The European Commission proposed the third version of the directive, PSD3, in July 2022. If approved, PSD3 would introduce new provisions aimed at enhancing consumer protection, fostering competition, and establishing a more unified regulatory framework for payment services in the EU. The proposed directive would build upon the foundation established by PSD1 and PSD2 and introduce new rules for digital currencies, payments initiated by merchants, and access to payment account information. In this analysis, we will examine the key provisions of PSD3, its potential impact on the market for payment services, and the implications for EU-based businesses.

PSD3 proposes the implementation of a new digital identity framework for payment service customers. This would provide customers with a more secure and convenient method of authenticating themselves when accessing payment services. The framework for digital identity would be compatible with other digital identity schemes across the EU.

 

Payments initiated by a merchant

PSD3 would introduce a new payment category called merchant initiated payments (MIPs). This would allow merchants to initiate payments directly from the bank accounts of their customers. MIPs could be utilized for recurring payments, such as subscriptions or utility bills, and would provide customers with a more efficient and convenient means of managing their finances.

 

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) PSD3 would build on the SCA requirements introduced by PSD2. The proposed directive would introduce new rules to ensure that SCA is consistently applied across various payment channels and methods. This would increase customer security and help prevent fraud.

 

PSD3 Competition and Innovation

PSD3 seeks to foster innovation and competition in the market for payment services. The proposed directive would introduce new regulations to encourage the creation of innovative payment services and business models. It would also seek to level the playing field between traditional banks and new fintech companies by imposing the same regulatory requirements on all payment service providers.

 

PSD3 Cross-Border payments

PSD3 aims to enhance cross-border payments within the European Union. The proposed directive would implement new rules to expedite the processing of cross-border payments. It would also seek to reduce the costs associated with international payments, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

  • Consumer Security
    The PSD3 would introduce new consumer protection measures. The proposed directive would seek to increase the transparency of fees and charges and ensure that customers are fully apprised of payment service terms and conditions. It would also grant consumers new rights, such as the right to cancel payments and the right to receive refunds under certain conditions.
  • Regulatory Structure
    PSD3 would aim to establish a more uniform and unified regulatory framework for payment services throughout the EU. The proposed directive would implement new regulations to ensure that payment service providers are subject to the same regulatory requirements regardless of their location. It would also aim to simplify the regulatory framework for payment services, making cross-border operations easier for businesses.
  • Implementation
    If approved, member states would be required to implement PSD3 within a specified timeframe. This would entail transposing the directive’s provisions into national law and ensuring that payment service providers adhere to the new requirements. Considering the potential impact on the market for payment services, the implementation process could be complicated.

 

Conclusion

PSD3 represents a substantial update to the EU’s framework for payment services. The proposed directive seeks to strengthen consumer protection, increase market transparency, and promote market competition. It would impose new regulations on digital currencies, payments initiated by merchants, and access to payment account information. It would also seek to improve cross-border payments, simplify the regulatory framework, and encourage innovation and competition on the market for payment services. PSD3 implementation may be complicated, and the proposed directive is currently undergoing public consultation. However, if approved, it could create a more efficient, secure, and competitive market for payment services in the EU.

Recommended for you

Navigating the iGaming Landscape: Key Challenges and Strategies for Success
08.07.24
Strikingly, the current failure rate for startups is 90%. In other words, 9 out of 10 new companies entering any given market will fail. The ones that remain share the secrets of success. The same is true for the iGaming industry. In this piece, we take...
EMIs and Customer Trust: Building a Reliable Digital Finance Ecosystem
08.07.24
How people perceive banking and payments in a digital-first world changes every couple of years. Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) are central to this transformation. Yet, when any change happens, one thing remains vital—maintaining customer trust.   In this article, we explore how EMIs use several...
Interview with: Alexander Persidskyi - Head of Operations, PayDo
08.07.24
Interview with: Alex Persidskiy PayDo is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) regulated in the UK and a licensed Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada. We provide financial services tailored to businesses, including multi-currency IBAN accounts, global payment processing, merchant services, mass payouts, and corporate card...