The European Payments Initiative (EPI) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of its first end-to-end e-commerce payment transaction using its Wero solution.
First successful Wero e-commerce transaction
This proof of concept (POC) was carried out in partnership with 1. FC Kaiserslautern’s online store.
EPI’s Wero aims to provide a sovereign, account-to-account payment solution tailored to European consumers and merchants.
The POC demonstrated seamless integration across all stakeholders: EPI, Atruvia, DZ BANK, VR Payment, and pilot banks VR Bank RheinAhrEifel eG and VR Bank Südliche Weinstraße-Wasgau eG.
The transactions, conducted between late November and mid-December 2024, successfully validated Wero’s functionality in real-world conditions.
The Road to Market Launch
Following these initial trials, Wero is gearing up for a phased rollout beginning in Germany during the summer of 2025.
Belgium will follow in the fall, with France set to launch in early 2026. The Netherlands and Luxembourg are also on the roadmap for subsequent expansion.
Wero offers a direct payment method, enabling consumers to pay merchants directly from their bank accounts without relying on intermediaries.
This secure, account-to-account model ensures data protection and fraud prevention while simplifying transactions for consumers and merchants alike.
Carlos Gómez-Sáez, Chairman of the Management Board of VR Payment, emphasised the customer-centric focus of Wero, stating, “This POC clearly demonstrated the usability for retail customers and ease of deployment for merchants, paving the way for our e-commerce payment solution launch.”
A European Solution for a Global Audience
For early adopters like 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Wero represents a much-needed payment alternative that aligns with European values.
CEO Thomas Hengen expressed enthusiasm, noting, “Wero offers us and our clients a seamless experience while being easy to implement. Its European identity is a key asset for our international supporters.”
As Wero gears up for broader market entry, EPI CEO Martina Weimert highlighted its potential to revolutionise e-commerce payments across Europe.
“This POC is another key step toward our retail market entry. We are now preparing for the broad introduction in the coming months,” Weimert said.
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