Money20/20 Vegas 2026: Ebury and Form3 on Global Scheme Connectivity

Quick Summary

The landscape of global money movement is shifting from simple transfers to deep, in-country integration. Neil Hopcroft of Form3 and Mark Hewlett of Ebury met at Money20/20 Vegas 2026 to discuss how direct connectivity to schemes in markets like Canada and Australia is providing the rich data necessary for modern finance.

How has Ebury's approach to global infrastructure evolved?

Mark Hewlett explains that while moving money was the initial focus for Ebury, the ability to generate accounts in countries where the firm does not have a physical footprint has become the priority. Ebury now looks for deep in-country connectivity, evaluating whether they can connect directly to local schemes. This shift is driven by the need for resilience and better data, especially as bank risk appetites change. Hewlett notes that when going into a country, the firm prioritises the ability to connect to a scheme and generate their own accounts, which provides better outcomes for customers.

Why is direct scheme connectivity superior to traditional banking partnerships?

A major challenge with traditional banking partners is the quality of data provided. Hewlett notes that messages are often truncated, making it difficult to identify the sender of funds. By connecting directly to schemes, Ebury receives much richer data, which allows for faster fund reconciliation. Neil Hopcroft adds that Form3 supports this by handling the technical complexities and scheme changes, such as Faster Payments or SEPA Instant. This ensures that clients can focus on their core business without worrying about the underlying messaging updates or technicalities.

What is the significance of the fin in fintech?

Hewlett argues that the financial expertise, or the fin part of fintech, is significantly harder to master than the technology. He values Form3 because their team possesses deep banking and financial services backgrounds. This expertise is vital when moving money and handling client data. Hopcroft agrees, stating that while technology is the foundation, the people and processes behind the platform are what provide the necessary assurance and quick answers for clients. He suggests that many companies that are more tech than fin often fall by the wayside because they do not understand the complexities of the financial environment.

What are the current views on interoperability and stablecoins?

The conversation turns to how different payment systems work together. Hopcroft highlights the role of APIs in facilitating interoperability, especially as the industry moves toward ISO standards. However, Hewlett expresses a preference for scheme-to-scheme connectivity over stablecoins. He suggests that adding stablecoins introduces additional currency risks and that the industry is seeing better results from schemes talking to each other natively. He also mentions the importance of remaining compliant with the travel rule, noting that Ebury often guides banks on these requirements because some modern schemes overlook the role of intermediaries.

FF NEWS TAKE:

The partnership between Form3 and Ebury illustrates a maturing fintech sector where infrastructure is no longer just about speed, but about the depth and quality of data. By prioritising direct scheme access in markets like Canada, firms can bypass the limitations of legacy banking intermediaries. Hewlett’s skepticism toward stablecoins in favour of ISO-driven interoperability suggests that traditional payment rails, when modernised, still offer the most robust path for global scale.