Paysera Becomes the First EMI in Europe to Gain Direct Access to TARGET Services Infrastructure
The international fintech company Paysera has become the first Electronic Money Institution (EMI) in Europe to process Euro payments directly through the European Central Bank’s (ECB) T2 system. By achieving direct participant status, Paysera has joined the Eurosystem’s primary payment and settlement infrastructure—a network that, until now, was accessible only to central and commercial banks, central securities depositories, EU national treasuries, and other critical financial market infrastructures.
Faster, More Efficient, and Global: The Power of Direct Integration
Direct integration ensures maximum transaction speed for clients across the Eurozone, as interbank settlements are now executed in real-time. Crucially, the T2 system enables the company to send and receive payments globally, extending its reach far beyond the Euro or SEPA regions.
"Our goal is to become a full-fledged alternative to traditional banks. Direct access to T2 allows us to offer the same speed, reach, and security as major financial institutions, but at significantly lower costs for our clients," says Justina Šidlauskienė, CEO of Paysera.
Technological Maturity on Par with Banks
T2 is Europe's central settlement system, handling over €2 trillion in transactions daily. Previously, all EMIs in Europe accessed this system only indirectly through intermediary banks. This landscape changed in October 2025 with the implementation of EU Regulation 2024/886, which opened direct access to central infrastructure for non-bank financial institutions.
Direct integration means that Paysera now manages its own payment flows directly within the Eurosystem, utilizing the same technology as the world's largest banks. This achievement demonstrates that Lithuanian fintechs have reached a level of technological maturity that rivals traditional financial institutions.
A Milestone for the Lithuanian Fintech Sector
The integration was completed following a rigorous assessment by the ECB and the Bank of Lithuania. The demand for such high-level access was driven by Paysera’s significant operational scale: in 2025 alone, the company processed 27.6 million transfers totaling €23.3 billion (a 19% year-on-year growth). Notably, 82% of all transfers were processed via SEPA Instant, and the company already handles approximately 188,000 transactions per year through the T2 system. Direct participation in the Eurosystem will allow these flows to be managed with even greater efficiency and security.
"This is not just a win for Paysera, but a testament to the maturity of the entire Lithuanian fintech sector on a European scale. It strengthens Lithuania’s position as one of the leading jurisdictions in the industry," states J. Šidlauskienė.