We are currently in the heart of autumn! October on the Genome blog was packed with practical guides for merchants, security tips, and country-focused insights. If you missed anything, this roundup gets you up to speed in minutes.
Italy: banking and fintech
The best digital banking solutions for Italian startups
Starting a business is stressful already, and getting your financial matters in order can be very frustrating. One thing is clear – Italy’s startups need speed, clarity on pricing, and simple international scalability.
Our guide breaks down why digital-first accounts fit startups. The benefits include fast onboarding, multi-currency, SEPA/SWIFT transfers, and corporate cards – all of which Genome can provide.
The rise of B2B fintech in Italy
From SME demand to EU-backed sandboxes and Open Banking alignment, Italy’s B2B fintech momentum is real. So why not take advantage of it?
Our article maps benefits (cheaper cross-border payments, automated KYC/AML, multi-currency rails) and the remaining hurdles (licensing, trust, cybersecurity), and explains where Genome fits with EU-compliant onboarding, SEPA Instant/Credit, and business cards.
Open an account
in Genome online
New security update and compliance guides
Verification of Payee (VoP) for fewer misdirected SEPA transfers
Our team brings you a new important security update, which will also improve your peace of mind!
The Verification of Payee (VoP) feature checks that the beneficiary name matches the account details before a SEPA payment leaves, reducing fraud and fat-finger errors. Genome is rolling this out to boost payment accuracy for both personal and business users.
PCI DSS and GDPR: what is their significance?
PCI DSS and GDPR are definitely two terms you hear and see regularly when dealing with finances, but what do they mean exactly?
A crisp refresher: PCI DSS governs how card data is handled (industry standard), while GDPR governs personal data processing (law). Our detailed article explains obligations, risks of non-compliance, and how both frameworks complement each other in a modern payments stack.
What merchants should know about PSD2?
PSD2 is the EU rulebook for safer, more open payments. It introduces Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), meaning two-step checks like a password plus phone or biometrics. It also allows licensed third-party providers (AISPs/PISPs) to access accounts via secure APIs with customer consent.
If you are a merchant, PSD2 rules and compliance are definitely something you should familiarize yourself with.
Merchant services and your business
Do you need an ecommerce merchant account? And why are they considered high-risk?
If you accept non-cash payments, the short answer is “yes – you do need a merchant account.” Our guide covers when a merchant account is required, how it differs from a business account, and what to prepare before you apply (processing history, KYC/KYB, site policies).
At the same time, you can face some issues, such as labeling your merchant account as high-risk. Chargeback ratios, CNP fraud, fast scaling, and cross-border sales can push merchants into monitoring programs and higher fees/reserves. However, our article details risk drivers (with Visa/Mastercard thresholds) and practical steps to mitigate them.
How hard is it to get a merchant account?
While we are at it, let’s also cover one of the main issues you might anticipate as a business owner. Namely, how hard it is to get a merchant account.
Underwriting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Expect checks on model, chargeback risk, refund policy, and operational controls. Our team has prepared a guide that outlines timelines, typical asks, and how transparency speeds approvals.
If you need a merchant account, you can apply for one inside Genome – get access to instant payouts, direct bank transfers from customers, customizable payment pages, and more!
Open an account
in Genome online
Guides to modern banking
Open Banking – new dedicated page
As Genome now allows merchants to accept payments via Open Banking, we’ve also launched a page that explains Open Banking basics, safety (SCA, encryption, licensed providers).
Find out how we help merchants accept SEPA Instant/Credit “pay by bank” transfers with hosted pages and real-time notifications.
UPI explained
UPI is India’s instant, bank-to-bank payment system. Instead of card numbers, people pay using simple IDs in a mobile app, and the money moves in seconds.
The guide to UPI payments shows how it works, why adoption exploded, and what Europe can learn for account-to-account payments, allowing for fast checkout, fewer intermediaries, and a cleaner user experience.
Exploring the asset tokenization
Think of tokenization as putting a “digital wrapper” on real-world things, such as property, commodities, or company shares. This way, they can be traded on a blockchain. Find out more about the process in our detailed article.
Did you miss Genome’s previous month in review? Don’t forget to check the September updates! Learn more about open banking, relevant financial services for businesses in Italy, security standards to take note of, and more!
