Money20/20 Vegas 2026: Movantis' Robert Gatto on Latin American Infrastructure

Quick Summary

The evolution of financial technology is mirroring the history of the software world, moving from fragmented point solutions to comprehensive, unified platforms. Robert Gatto of Movantis explains at Money20/20 Vegas 2026 how this shift is transforming how enterprises approach the complex landscape of Latin America.

Why is the financial technology world moving away from point solutions?

In the early days of software, companies often relied on a collection of individual point solutions to solve specific problems. However, Robert Gatto notes that CIOs quickly realised that supporting multiple disparate systems was inefficient and difficult to manage. This led to the adoption of enterprise level, unified platforms. A similar pattern is now emerging in fintech. Enterprises no longer want to manage a separate system for every country they operate in: they are seeking a single infrastructure that can support their operations globally. This reduces the burden on technical teams who otherwise might have to support dozens of different systems.

What makes the Latin American market particularly complex for cross-border payments?

The opportunity in the region is significant, with 800 billion dollars moving between the US and Latin America and another 170 billion dollars in remittances. However, the operational reality is highly fragmented. Robert Gatto highlights several challenges for companies looking to enter the market:

• Each of the 20 countries in the region has its own unique banking rails.
• Local payment methods and consumer preferences vary significantly by border.
• Regulatory and compliance frameworks are specific to each jurisdiction.
• Licensing requirements must be met individually in every market.

Without a unified partner, a merchant or bank might find themselves performing 20 different implementations to cover the entire region. Movantis addresses this by allowing users to enter these markets through a single piece of infrastructure.

How has Movantis evolved to meet these enterprise needs?

The company has been in business for over 20 years, having started in 2002. While the rebranding to Movantis occurred within the last 18 months, it reflects a broader advancement in the business model. Originally established as a money transfer network, the company spent two decades mastering the complexities of cross-border movement, including licensing and local regulatory requirements. By building on this foundation and adding payment processing, wallets, and issuing, the company now offers a one-stop shop for any entity looking to move value into Latin America.

What role do stablecoins play in modern financial infrastructure?

There is already a significant volume of value, exceeding 200 billion dollars, moving via stablecoins for cross-border purposes. Robert Gatto views stablecoins primarily as a settlement play. For a CFO, they offer clear advantages: they reduce the amount of money tied up in treasury, allow for faster movement over weekends, and remove the restrictions of bank holidays. However, he notes that stablecoins do not yet solve the last mile of the transaction. The value still needs to be delivered to the actual recipient, whether that is a business or a consumer, and that final step is what completes the transaction.

FF NEWS TAKE:

The transition from fragmented regional integrations to a unified infrastructure layer is a clear sign of maturity in the Latin American payments space. By abstracting the complexity of 20 different sets of banking rails and compliance rules, Movantis is positioning itself as an essential enabler for global banks and fintechs. The focus on the last mile is particularly relevant: while stablecoins and blockchain can optimise the middle of the payment journey, the ability to land funds in a local account or wallet remains the ultimate measure of success in cross-border commerce.