Exploring Investment Opportunities in Cross-Border Payment Solutions

UK Investor Magazine
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Exploring Investment Opportunities in Cross-Border Payment Solutions

The global economy relies heavily on seamless cross-border payment systems, making them a lucrative opportunity for investors. 

With increasing demand for cross-border payments, businesses and individuals require efficient, cost-effective, cheap, and secure ways to make borderless payments.

This demand has catalysed significant growth and innovation in the cross-border payment industry.

For investors in the UK, Europe, and beyond, understanding the landscape of international payment gateways and cross border payment solutions is essential.

The cross-border payments landscape

Cross-border payments involve transferring funds between different countries, and making & receiving payments.

This is typically done through banks, payment gateways, specialised payment providers, and other fintech companies.

The market’s value is immense; according to industry reports, the cross border payment solutions market was valued at over $156 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow substantially in the coming years. 

The drivers of this growth include the rise of e-commerce, increasing global remittances, and expanding international trade.

Key players in this space range from traditional financial institutions to fintech disruptors. 

Established banks like HSBC and Barclays offer international payment services, but according to Cross Border Payment Solutions, fintech companies have captured market share with faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly services.

Emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies have also introduced decentralised cross-border payment methods, offering new opportunities for innovation and investment.

International payment gateways are vital

International payment gateways are the backbone of cross-border payments for businesses dealing with payments.

They enable businesses to process transactions in multiple currencies, ensuring a smooth customer experience regardless of location. 

The leading gateways have developed robust systems that cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes, from startups to multinational corporations.

For investors, payment gateways represent an attractive opportunity due to their scalability and recurring revenue models.

Businesses often pay transaction fees or subscription costs to use these services, creating a steady income stream for gateway providers.

Additionally, as the need for digital payments continues to grow, the demand for reliable cross border payment solutions will only increase.

Evaluating investment opportunities

Investing in cross border payment solutions requires careful consideration of several factors:

Market penetration: Established players already have significant market share, making them lower-risk investments. However, smaller fintech startups may offer higher growth potential, especially if they target underserved markets or introduce disruptive technologies.

Technological innovation: Companies leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, and machine learning to enhance payment processing efficiency and security are worth noting.

Regulatory compliance: Cross-border payments are heavily regulated. Investors should prioritise companies with strong compliance frameworks that adhere to international financial laws and anti-money laundering regulations.

Geographic reach: Businesses with operations in high-growth regions, such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often have untapped potential. These areas’ increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption drive demand for digital payment solutions.

Scalability and profitability: Investors should assess a company’s scalability and ability to generate sustainable profits. Startups with innovative solutions but no clear path to profitability may present higher risks.

Why the UK and Europe are attractive hubs

The UK and Europe are leaders in financial innovation, housing some of the most advanced fintech ecosystems globally. 

London, for instance, is a fintech hub that fosters collaboration between startups, established financial institutions, and regulators. 

European Union initiatives like PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) have encouraged competition and innovation in the payments sector by promoting open banking.

Investors can benefit from the region’s stable regulatory environment and high demand for efficient cross border payment solutions, driven by the EU’s single market and strong trade relations. 

Several companies have demonstrated the region’s potential by achieving high valuations and expanding globally.

Final thoughts

The cross-border payments sector offers diverse opportunities for investors seeking high growth and long-term returns. 

From international payment gateways to blockchain-powered solutions, the market’s potential is vast. 

By focusing on companies that combine technological innovation, strong compliance practices, and global reach, investors can position themselves to capitalise on this dynamic and evolving industry.

As businesses and consumers demand faster, more affordable international payment gateways, the importance of efficient payment solutions will only grow.

The economic and environmental opportunity in methane detection with Mirico

UK Investor Magazine
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The economic and environmental opportunity in methane detection with Mirico

The UK Investor Magazine was thrilled to welcome Bob Flint, CEO of Mirico, to discuss their methane detection technology and current crowdfunding campaign.

Visit Mirico’s Crowdfunding page here

Mirico is a climate technology company that has developed an innovative laser sensor and analytics platform for detecting methane emissions, which are responsible for one-third of global climate change.

Sign up for ‘Meet the CEO’ webinar 7th January 2025

Their technology provides continuous, precise monitoring capabilities that enable industries to identify and fix even small or short-lived methane leaks in real-time, distinguishing them from competitors who typically only offer periodic snapshot surveys.

Bob outlines Mirico’s market traction with over 20 deployments across five continents, serving customers in oil and gas, landfill, biogas, and agriculture sectors, including major players like Shell. Their intellectual property is protected through three patent families and three trademarks, while their business operates primarily on a hardware-enabled SaaS model, providing emissions insights as a service.

Operating in a rapidly expanding market with a total addressable market of $14.9 billion and a serviceable addressable market of $2.9 billion, Mirico has attracted investment from notable VCs and industry players, including UKI2S, Foresight Williams, Oxford Innovation, New Climate Ventures, and Shell Ventures. The company is currently seeking funds to accelerate sales efforts, deliver on pilot projects, secure additional international pilots, and refine its digital platform.

Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

AIM movers: Arrow Exploration drilling continues and Hercules Site Services to sell division

Andrew Hore
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AIM movers: Arrow Exploration drilling continues and Hercules Site Services to sell division

Late on Friday, James Kight revealed a 3.14% stake in GenIP (LON: GNIP). That makes him the third highest shareholder. The share price jumped 26.4%to 33.5p.

Cyber security company Smarttech247 (LON: S247) grew full year revenues by 8% to more than €13m and annualised recurring revenues are €7.8m. In the year to July 2024, EBIT was at least €750,000. The potential contract pipeline is better than last year. Net cash was €3.3m at the end of July 2024. The results will be reported later this month. The share price recovered 14.7% to 9.75p.

Tungsten explorer Guardian Metal Resources (LON: GMET) raised £750,000 from Premier Miton at 30p/share. That is 2% of the company and Shard Capital receives 120,000 warrants exercisable at 37.5p each for arranging the investment. The proceeds will help to accelerate exploration and development of the Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Tungsten. The share price improved 8.33% to 32.5p.

Hercules Site Services (LON: HERC) plans to sell its suction excavator business, which accounts for 88% of bank debt. That should improve profit and enable the focus to be the core labour supply business. The results for the year to September 2024 will include suction excavators as discontinued activities and they will be published on 13 January. The share price improved 5.95% to 44.5p.

Maritime surveillance systems supplier SRT Marine (LON: SRT) has received formal notice to proceed with phase 2, worth $15m, of the $40m three-phase project in the Middle East. Formal documentation should be concluded by the end of January. There should be a 12-18 month implementation period. The share price is 3.8% higher at 41p.

FALLERS

Oil and gas producer Arrow Exploration (LON: AXL) says that the AB-1 well on the Alberta Llanos discovery, where is  is onstream and the AB-2 well has reached its target depth. AB-3 should start drilling soon. Arrow Exploration owns 50% of the discovery and the initial gross production is 658 barrels/day. Arrow Exploration averaged production of 4,900 barrels of oil equivalent/day during December. Driilling spending should reach $50m in 2025. The share price dipped 8.49% to 24.25p.

Former ITM Energy (LON: ITM) bosss Dr Graham Cooley has been appointed as a non-executive director of fuel cell technology developer Gelion (LON: GELN). The share price fell 5.88% to 16p.

Extended reality software developer Engage XR (LON: EXR) says 2024 revenues were €3.4m as contracts were delayed to 2025 and the EBITDA loss was €4m. Net cash was €3.6m at the end of 2024. A significant contract should be finalised in the next few months. The share price slid 4.17% to 3.45p.

Timber supplier Woodbois (LON: WBI) says it intends to appoint a management company to support its operational management following the resignation of both of its executive directors before Christmas. This is to provide time to replace the executive directors. The plan remains to restart production in Gabon. Robert Skyrme has increased his stake to 4.52%. The share price is 2.85% lower at 0.1875p.

FTSE 100 flat as heavyweights drag, Rolls Royce tumbles on downgrade 

UK Investor Magazine
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FTSE 100 flat as heavyweights drag, Rolls Royce tumbles on downgrade 

Although the FTSE 100’s losses were marginal, there was a clear disparity between the performance of London’s flagship index and the broader European equity space on Monday as a raft of broker downgrades weighed on the index.

The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.1% at the time of writing, while the EuroStoxx 50 index gained 0.8%.

“The FTSE 100 started the week on the back foot, dragged down by consumer non-cyclicals, basic materials and industrials,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“Share price weakness in big brand companies including Unilever, Reckitt and Haleon is often a signal that investors are worried about consumer spending and growing inflationary pressures. Renewed cost pressures may prompt companies to hike prices and this could see shoppers switch to cheaper supermarket own-brand items. It’s a major risk for investors in big brand stocks to consider.

“Driving down the shares in the sector this time was negative broker comment as RBC downgraded Unilever to ‘underperform’, which hurt the Marmite maker and took its big brand peers down at the same time.”

News that Aldi had a bumper festive trading period led by its own brand products added to the pessimism around retailers, with Marks & Spencer and Tesco falling on Monday.

Rolls Royce was the biggest loser after a broker downgrade served as a reality check for the engine maker as a multi-year rally.

The company’s rally since the beginning of 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular, but the meteoric rise leaves the stock vulnerable to any suggestion of negativity. The stock fell 3% in early trading as investors booked profits.

“Stock market darling Rolls-Royce saw its engines splutter after Citigroup downgraded its rating on the stock to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ on valuation grounds. Even though Citigroup raised its price target for the stock, investors appear to have taken the rating downgrade as a signal to lock in some profit,” Russ Mould said.

“Rolls-Royce has been a runaway success for investors in recent years as its recovery story gained traction. The turnaround opportunity is now looking like old news and investors increasingly want to hear about the next phase of the company’s growth, not simply what it is doing to get back on track as that looks to have already happened.” 

JD Sports, one of the UK Investor Magazine’s Top 20 Stocks Picks for 2025, was 2.1% higher, helping offset losses elsewhere. Intermediate Capital was the top gainer, rising 2.8%, bouncing off technical support around 2,000p.

Share Tip: McBride – Been up over 600% since I mentioned this private label ‘market leader’ with its shares then at 24p, they are now only 437% up at 105p but look very ready for another rise, especially with news expected next week – TP 175p 

Mark Watson-Mitchell
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Share Tip: McBride – Been up over 600% since I mentioned this private label ‘market leader’ with its shares then at 24p, they are now only 437% up at 105p but look very ready for another rise, especially with news expected next week – TP 175p 

I will have a bet with you. 
There is a very strong chance that somewhere around your household there is a product produced by the McBride group. 
Two years ago, I featured the company, with its shares then just 24p, since when they have been as high as 145p, before easing back to the current 105p – at which level I suggest that they are too cheap to ignore. 
The Business 
Established way back in 1927, this Manchester-based group is now exceptionally well embedded with its client base, manufacturing from facilities across the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific.  
For ove...

Genflow Biosciences issues 2024 longevity and anti-ageing research round up

UK Investor Magazine
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0
Genflow Biosciences issues 2024 longevity and anti-ageing research round up

Genflow Biosciences, the biotechnology company focused on developing therapies to promote longevity, has released a round-up for 2024 detailing advancement in its research programmes throughout the year and ambitious plans for the year ahead.

The company’s work on the SIRT6 gene, central to its anti-ageing research, has progressed significantly, bolstered by collaborations with leading researchers and vital support from the Belgian Government. A key development has been the partnership with Exothera SA for GMP manufacturing of their MASH (GF-1002) treatment, positioning the company to begin its first proof-of-concept study.

In their Werner Syndrome programme (GF-1003), Genflow has successfully developed a proprietary liver organoid using human cells from patients with the condition, representing a significant step forward in personalised disease modelling. This approach offers more accurate insights than traditional animal testing methods.

The company’s veterinary research has also advanced, with plans underway for a six-month life extension clinical trial for ageing dogs, conducted in partnership with Syngene. Investors are awaiting results from this study, which are expected by the end of 2025, potentially opening doors for partnerships with veterinary pharmaceutical companies.

Progress continues in their sarcopenia research (GF-1005), where collaboration with the Université libre de Bruxelles is focusing on addressing mitochondrial dysfunction through innovative cell-loading techniques.

Looking ahead to 2025, Genflow aims to build upon these achievements, with the company’s focus remaining on ‘tackling ageing’.

New AIM admission: Pri0r1ty Intelligence has much to prove

Andrew Hore
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New AIM admission: Pri0r1ty Intelligence has much to prove

Formerly standard listed shell Alteration Earth did not make an acquisition large enough to retain a full listing and switched to AIM. The shell purchased Pri0r1ty AI, which has developed a platform to automate processes to help smaller businesses to grow. The name was changed to Pri0r1ty Intelligence.
There is already an article on the UK Investor Magazine website that covers the technology Pri0r1ty AI bolsters the UK's small cap artificial intelligence sector but lags behind peers in terms of innovation - UK Investor Magazine.
In the four months to October 2024, revenues were £14,000, while ...

Aquis weekly movers: Global Connectivity invests in decommissioning copper cables

Andrew Hore
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Aquis weekly movers: Global Connectivity invests in decommissioning copper cables

Global Connectivity (LON: GCON) is investing £50,000 in PLUG Group, which is a 4% stake. PLUG is developing opportunities to extract decommissioned copper cables for South American telecoms companies. Livia Meyer has returned 32.5 million shares and paid £50,000 for the other five million shares subscribed for. Executive chairman Dr Keith Harris has paid the £200,000 he owes for shares he acquired. Barry Hersh has still not paid the £375,000 for the 37.5 million shares that he subscribed for. The share price improved 31.8% to 0.725p.

Blue Sky Vision has exercised its option to subscribe for 20 million shares in Valereum (LON: VLRM) at 10p each. The share price increased 22.2% to 27.5p.

Tap Global Group (LON: TAP) has been granted virtual asset service provider registration in Bulgaria. This is a step towards expanding in the EU. The share price moved ahead by 20.8% to 2.9p.

Three directors of Invinity Energy Systems (LON: IES) bought shares at 14.85p/share. Chairman Neil O’Brien bought 135,000 shares, chief executive Jonathan Marren acquired 134,680 shares and finance director Adam Howard purchased 134,333 shares. The share price rose 20.3% to 17.75p.

SulNOx Group (LON: SNOX) reported a rise in interim revenues from £136,000 to £440,000. The loss increased from £870,000 to £1.17m. There was £804,000 in the bank at the end of September 2024. The share price improved 8.7% to 75p.

FALLERS

Coinsilium (LON: COIN) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Otomato Inc, a Web3 technology platform for autonomous agent-based solutions. The idea is to maximise the value of Coinsilium’s digital assets. The initial term is 12 months. The share price dipped 5.26% to 3.6p.

KRI (LON: KR1) had net assets of 100.04p/share at the end of November 2024. Income of £771,347 was generated during the month. There is cash of £624,000. The share price slid 0.74% to 67.5p.

AIM weekly movers: Fusion Antibodies chart indicates rise and potential Poolbeg Pharma merger sparks share price drop

Andrew Hore
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AIM weekly movers: Fusion Antibodies chart indicates rise and potential Poolbeg Pharma merger sparks share price drop

Jonathan Rowland increased his stake in fire suppression technology company Zenova Group (LON: ZED) to 7.8%. The share price rebounded 45.5% to 0.8p.

Clinical antibodies supplier Fusion Antibodies (LON: FAB) was highlighted by Zak Myr on his Bulletin Board Heroes broadcast on Thursday. According to his assessment of the chart he was targeting 9.25p by the end of January. He said that the next major resistance point is 10p. There were 3.1 million shares traded on Thursday and on Friday. The share price was 45% higher at 10.15p, which suggests that there could be further improvement.

Trading in Gfinity (LON: GFIN) shares was suspended on 2 January because accounts for the year to June 2024 have been delayed and were not be published by the end of 2024. Gfinity achieved monthly profitability in November. The share price increased 36.4% to 0.075p.

Revolution Beauty (LON: REVB) has come to a confidential agreement with Chrysalis Investments (LON: CHRY) over the claims related to its investment in the company when it joined AIM in July 2021. Last year, Chrysalis Investments issued draft particulars of a claim £39m plus additional consequential loss of £6.2m. Chrysalis Investments will be paid a non-material amount of cash with out admission of liability. This removes a hangover on the Revolution Beauty share price, which recovered 36.3% to 19.76p.

Tungsten West (LON: TUN) had £40,000 in cash at the end of September 2024. There is a provisional agreement to place a further £2.8m of loan notes. Progress is being made towards the reopening of the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon. The share price rose 24.2% to 4.1p.

FALLERS

Poolbeg Pharma (LON: POLB) is in talks with potential bidder HOOKIPA Pharma (NASDAQ: HOOK) about an all-share offer from the Nasdaq-listed company. The indicated proposal is 0.03 of a HOOKIPA share for each Poolbeg share. Cancer and infectious disease treatments developer HOOKIPA intends to raise up to $30m. That will fund phase 2a trails for POLB 001 and trials of two other treatments. HOOKIPA shareholders would receive a contingent value right instrument entitling them to 55% of milestone payments made by Gilead for HB-400 and HB-500 programmes. This could be worth up to $407.5m. They are also entitled to 80% of the proceeds generated by the HB-200 programme. The Poolbeg Pharma share price dived 41.7% to 4.2p.

Trading in ADM Energy (LON: ADME) shares was restored following the publication of 2023 accounts and interims for 2024. In 2023, there was a £16.8m impairment charge. There was £66,000 in cash at the end of June 2024 and two investments have generated cash, but ADM Energy is still constrained by a lack of cash. The share price slumped 41.2% to 0.25p.

Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group (LON: PR1) joined AIM on 30  December following the reversal of the AI customer relationship technology company into Alteration Earth. The business provides AI tools to automate areas such as social media and governance for smaller companies. Spreadex has sold a 3.99% stake and retains voting rights through financial instruments of 0.75%. The share price declined by 24.1% from the placing price to 10.25p, although it is 18% down on the Alteration Earth suspension price of 12.5p.  

Spreadex Ltd has cut its shareholding, via voting rights through financial instruments, in Tiger Royalties and Investments (LON: TIR) from 4.94% to 3.53%. The company is in the process of acquiring a technology incubator business. The share price slipped 22.2% to 0.175p.

Security technology developer Thruvision (LON: THRU) has appointed Victoria Balchin as chief executive. She was appointed finance director in October 2022 and she is retaining the role. Tom Black will continue as executive chairman and focus on sales. The share price declined 18.7% to 6.5p.

Tullow Oil wins tax case

Andrew Hore
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Tullow Oil wins tax case

Tullow Oil (LON: TLW) is the best performing share in the FTSE Small Cap index today, following the announcement late on Thursday that there was a successful outcome to the Ghana tax arbitration. The share price recovered 12.3% to 24.55p.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal related to the application of Branch Profit Remittance tax to the oil and gas company’s Deepwater Tano and West Cape Three Points petroleum agreements, offshore Ghana. The tribunal decided that the tax is not applicable to the Tullow Oil assets in Ghana.

This means that Tullow Ghana does not have to pay the $320m tax assessment and there will be no future exposure to the tax for the specific agreements.

Two further disputed tax claims were referred to the ICC two years ago. In the interim accounts, Tullow Oil said that it had more than $1bn of disputed tax claims in Ghana and other countries.

Before Christmas, Kosmos Energy, which also has interests in Ghana, decided against a bid for Tullow Oil. The share price is still more than one-third lower than one year ago.  

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