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Inspiration

2023, another big, bold year for payments

s we approach the end of 2023, I'm thinking of In 2023, we also saw a growing awareness among our
what a remarkable journey all of us involved in peers of the importance of sustainability. Companies large
the payments and fintech sphere are on togeth- and small researched ways to reduce their carbon foot-
A er. Facing inevitable challenges within and print and promote environmentally responsible practices,
outside of the industry, we are collectively a testament to and launched eco-friendly initiatives like carbon-neutral
resilience, innovation and adaptability. Here are just some operations and sustainable supply chain practices.
of the highlights that come to my mind right now.
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide have en-
One noteworthy, but not unexpected, development in 2023 deavored to establish clear guidelines, particularly for
was the continued acceleration of digital payments. Pay- digital currencies and data protection. And interchange
ments enterprises helped facilitate the shift toward con- and network access are issues that seem never to be far
tactless payments with the onset of the COVID 19 pan- from regulators' minds, particularly U.S. Senator Dick
demic and have continued to innovate to help contactless Durbin. It is a great boon that we have organizations such
payments reach new heights. Consumers and merchants as the Electronic Transactions Association actively advo-
alike love the convenience of digital payment methods, in- cating on behalf of the industry and endeavoring to ed-
cluding mobile wallets, QR codes, virtual cards and more. ucate our elected officials so they can avoid unintended
Plus, the launch of FedNow in July was another step to- consequences of their endeavors to protect consumers.
ward satisfying the thirst in the market for safe, speedy
payments. Thinking about organizations, 2023 saw many fantastic
tradeshows. The regional acquirers associations continue
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies continue to gain trac- to shine. The educational offerings, spirit of sharing and
tion, too, despite high-profile implosions such as the de- valuable networking opportunities provided at their af-
mise of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and exposure of fordable annual meetings are unparalleled. Plus, we have
the outrageous actions of the company's founder, Samuel more groups offering conferences dedicated to distinct in-
Bankman-Fried. Bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocur- dustry niches than ever before. We are always pleased to
rencies continued to gain acceptance as legitimate forms list these in our calendar of events.
of payment. And major financial institutions started to in-
tegrate blockchain technology into their operations with As many of you know, in October this year, we celebrated
the goal of providing faster, more transparent, and secure the 40th anniversary of The Green Sheet. Serving this in-
payment processing solutions. This, I believe, exempli- dustry has been an uplifting and rewarding challenge.
fies our industry's commitment to technological advance- Thank you to our inspiring partners and loyal readers for
ments that can open doors to new opportunities. making our ongoing efforts possible.
Our industry has also made strides in promoting finan-
cial inclusivity through partnerships between fintech
companies and traditional financial institutions that have
expanded access to financial services for underserved
populations. We can all be proud that microloans, digital
wallets for the unbanked, and affordable payment pro- Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
cessing options have empowered individuals and small
businesses around the world.

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