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The Payments Group (TPG) has launched a new pan-European prepaid mobile payment service in partnership with Bluecode, marking a strategic step toward reducing dependence on US-dominated card schemes such as Visa and Mastercard.
As the first pan-European issuer of the Bluecode scheme, TPG enables users across the European Economic Area (EEA) to access a secure, prepaid mobile payment solution. Accessible via the Bluecode app, the service can be activated within minutes and funded through SEPA transfers, debit and credit cards, or in cash at over 550,000 retail locations.
The system supports global transactions through partnerships with international networks, including Alipay+, Discover Global Network, and the European Mobile Payment Systems Association (EMPSA), expanding its usability beyond Europe.
This move aligns with broader European efforts to assert greater sovereignty over its payment infrastructure. European policymakers have pointed to geopolitical and economic risks tied to reliance on American providers, advancing initiatives such as the digital euro and the European Payments Initiative’s Wero digital wallet.
“With this launch, we’re proud to offer a payment solution that reflects Europe’s commitment to privacy, security, and user empowerment,” said Jens Bader, CEO of The Payments Group. “Our prepaid offering gives consumers access to a European-built, European-governed alternative, fully compliant with regional regulations and designed around European values.”
The development is seen as part of a larger push to promote homegrown payment infrastructure, reinforcing financial resilience and digital sovereignty across the EU.
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