Thailand Turns Crypto Into Baht for Tourists
Thailand is testing a new initiative that lets international visitors convert cryptocurrencies into Baht for use on local payments. The pilot programme, called TouristDigipay, will operate within a regulatory sandbox for 18 months starting later this year, as part of efforts to boost the country’s tourism sector.
While direct crypto payments won’t be accepted, travelers can exchange digital assets into baht, with spending capped at 500,000 baht per month.
We want to make every effort to support foreign tourists during their stay in Thailand. This programme offers a new alternative to cash and credit card payments.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
From MT to MX: The Final Countdown
Coming, ready or not ISO 20022 SWIFT Compliance Deadline
With just 93 days to go (as at 21 August 2025) the 22 November 2025 SWIFT ISO deadline is coming fast.
ISO 20022, the globally accepted format, enhances the quality and structure of financial messages. It provides rich data with each transaction, enabling enhanced analytics, status tracking, sanction checking, and automated invoice reconciliation. This improves the experience for end customers.
The coexistence period for Swift MT and MX messages ends soon—and there’s no room for delay.
Banks and financial institutions must act now to ensure compliance, avoid disruption, and stay ahead of regulatory expectations.
How to Maintain Resilience and Security in Times of Uncertainty
Webinar: Wednesday 3rd September, 2pm (UK time)
In today’s fast-evolving risk landscape, UK corporates face increasing pressure to ensure operational resilience and secure payment processes — those that work in finance are understandably worried about phishing and AI deepfake impersonation, even if a breach hasn’t occurred yet.
Join industry experts James Richardson and Colin Swain in this exclusive webinar, as they delve into recent cyber security examples and offer practical solutions, so you don’t get left behind.
What you'll learn:
How to strengthen business continuity plans with secure financial infrastructure
Why verifying payments at source is critical to avoiding costly errors and fraud
Best practices for managing and optimising Direct Debit operations during uncertainty
Real-world examples of how UK corporates have enhanced resilience using Bottomline solutions
Whether you're navigating regulatory shifts, digital transformation, or unexpected disruptions, this session will equip you with practical insights and tools to fortify your business for the future.
Current Account Switching Service marches on
The Current Account Switch Service has reported 88,146 switches in June 2025 – the busiest month in 2025 so far
A total of 216,519 switches occurred across Q2 2025, with nearly one million completed in the past 12 months
Nationwide, Monzo, and HSBC achieved the highest net gains between January and March 2025
June 2025 marked the busiest month of 2025 so far for Pay.UK’s Current Account Switching Service (CASS), with 88,146 switches completed through the service. This was followed by 80,590 in April and 47,783 in May. Over the past 12 months, the Service has processed a total of 996,344 switches.
Customer data, reported on a three-month delay, showed that between January and March 2025 Nationwide achieved the highest net switching gains at 55,578. Monzo Bank followed with 8,850 and HSBC with 5,621. Notably, Monzo is the first neobank to rank in the top three for switching gains since 2022.
Since its launch in 2013, CASS has facilitated more than 11.9 million switches and successfully redirected over 166.8 million payments. In Q2 2025, switch completion within seven days averaged 99.6%, while public awareness remained strong at 75%.
Among those who switched in the past three years, 90% reported being satisfied with the process and 87% said they would recommend it.
When asked about their reasons for switching, 47% of respondents cited access to online or mobile app-based banking as the most important factor. Other key reasons included interest earned (37%), customer service (31%), spending benefits (24%), and account fees or charges (24%)
The fact that the top three spots are occupied by a legacy bank, long-standing building society, and a neobank, shows the depth and diversity of the UK banking system. With nearly a million switches in the past 12 months, the Current Account Switch Service continues to play a key role in facilitating a healthy and competitive banking market.
John Dentry, Product Owner at Pay.UK
Breaking Free from Legacy: Why Payment Modernisation Can’t Wait
The future of finance won’t wait - why should your payments?
Payment modernisation is no longer optional - it’s essential.
Banks and financial institutions consistently point to legacy systems as one of their greatest pain points, creating barriers to innovation and slowing their ability to adapt.
In a world where customer expectations are evolving faster than ever, outdated infrastructure makes it difficult to deliver seamless, real-time, and personalised experiences.
By modernising payments, institutions can break free from these constraints, keep pace with demand, and unlock the agility needed to stay competitive.
But that’s just the headline — the real story lies beneath.
📊 Download the Competitive Banking Survey to see exactly where you stand and how you compare with others in the industry.
You’ve Thrived - Now, Who Could You Help Rise?
Over the past few days I have had a huge response from this blog: A personal reflection from a familiar ritual.
Here’s the challenge: If your career has served you well, who could you be a ‘TAD’ for You’ve Thrived - Now, Who Could You Help Rise? Who might be one chance away from their own life-changing story?
Who’s Taking the Mic?
No Hesitation. No Repetition. No Fraud. No Deviation.
It’s a wrap - the pilot edition of Sixty Seconds premieres at 8pm (BST) on Monday August 2025 be first to watch as Simon Lyons, Zhenya Winter, Jim Conning and Neira Jones try and speak for sixty seconds without hesitation, repetition or fraud deviation.
Make sure that you are first to watch Sixty Seconds on the 25 August 2025 - click here and be the first to watch:
Last chance to register:
Switzerland: SIC Instant Payments
One year on, one year to go for Phase 2
For over 12 months, 60+ financial Phase 1 institutions in Switzerland have been able to receive and process instant payments, covering more than 95% of Swiss retail payment transactions.
Now, it is the turn of 260 more banks that will need to follow suit by August 2026.
Join Bottomline, which has connected over 60 banks to SIC IP as part of phase 1, SIXand t’Charta, as they clarify what key priorities and strategies worked for phase 1 and what processes should not be underestimated for a successful implementation.
Webinar: Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM Central European Summer Time
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