The primary aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of both current and evolving payment infrastructures, shedding light on the future trajectory of the payments industry.

The landscape of payments has undergone a profound and enduring transformation propelled by technological advancements, innovations, and the emergence of new market entrants. The pace of this transformation continues to accelerate, swiftly rendering yesterday's breakthroughs obsolete.

Traditional banks, non-bank entities, and major technology companies are engaged in fierce competition to establish dominance in this pivotal sector, central to all payment-related activities. Additionally, regulatory bodies have become active participants, contributing to the dynamic nature of the environment.

In this course, we explore the various aspects of payments within the context of digital finance, emerging markets, the distinction between fintech and techfin, cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, international finance, and offer speculative insights into the future.

Course Key Concepts: Alternative payment methods, Banking regulation, BigTech, Blockchain technology, Card payments, Cash, CBDCs, Compliance, Contactless payments, Cross-border payments, Digital payments, Digital wallets, E-banking, E-commerce, E-payments, FinTech, Mobile payments, Online payments, Open banking, Payment APIs, Payment gateways, Payment processing, Payment security, Payment’s regulation, Peer-to-peer payments (P2P), PSP, RegTech, Techfin.