Wero (by EPI Company SE) – RatEx42 Compliance Profile
🔍 Key Data
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Provider: European Payments Initiative (EPI Company SE, Brussels)
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Service Name: Wero
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Launched: July 2024
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Regions: Germany, France, Belgium (via banks like Postbank, Banque Postale, KBC)
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Functionality: Pan-European mobile P2P wallet — expanding to merchant, POS, and online payments
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Technology: Instant A2A transfers using phone number, email, or QR code
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Settlement Time: ~10 seconds
⚖️ Legal & Regulatory Compliance
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Legal Entity: EPI Company SE (Societas Europaea, Belgium)
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Licensing: Licensed Payment Institution under EU PSD2
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Regulatory Oversight: Supervised by National Bank of Belgium
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GDPR: Fully compliant with EU GDPR; DPO appointed
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KYC/AML: Handled via bank integrations; encoded in partner bank policies
🔐 Security & Infrastructure
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Technology Stack: Secure mobile infrastructure developed with partner banks
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Authentication: Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) required
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Encryption & Data Control: End-to-end encryption, GDPR governance over personal data
👥 User Experience & Market Feedback
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App Store Rating (iOS): 3.3★ average (as of mid-2025)
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User Feedback: Praised for speed and simplicity; mixed reviews on UI and clarity
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Concerns: Some early confusion about whether Wero is a separate app or bank-integrated
📊 RatEx42 Risk & Trust Scorecard
| Category | Score (1–10) | Color | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal & Licensing | 9.0 | 🟢 Green | Fully licensed across the EU under PSD2 |
| Data Protection / GDPR | 8.5 | 🟢 Green | Comprehensive GDPR adherence, active DPO role |
| Security & Authentication | 8.0 | 🟢 Green | Bank-grade security and full PSD2 SCA |
| Transparency | 7.0 | 🟢 Green | Varies slightly between banks; overall solid |
| User Trust & Reputation | 6.5 | 🟠 Orange | New brand; early adoption phase with mixed UI feedback |
| Compliance Risk | 7.5 | 🟠 Orange | Very low institutional risk, but reliant on partner enforcement |
🧭 Final Conclusion
Wero represents the European banking sector’s most ambitious attempt to build a unified, instant payment solution. With full regulatory licensing, secure infrastructure, and a user-centric roadmap, Wero is well-positioned to compete with private wallets.
However, its success will depend on:
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Continued expansion into everyday merchant use
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Transparent onboarding across all partner banks
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Maintaining consistency in user experience across regions
Final RatEx42 Score: 8.0 / 10
Label: “Regulated, Secure, Evolving”
