Fintech platform TrueLayer, Europe’s Pay by Bank network, has announced its acquisition of in3, a Dutch fintech focused on consumer credit facilitated through direct bank payments. This strategic move, revealed recently this month, positions TrueLayer as the sole provider in the region capable of delivering both debit and credit options at the checkout stage via a unified Pay by Bank interface.
Consumers will now have the flexibility to settle purchases immediately or spread payments over time, all within the familiar and secure bank-linked experience.
The European e-commerce landscape has traditionally been dominated by limited choices: card payments or credit extended through card networks.
This reliance carries significant drawbacks for merchants, including elevated acceptance fees, delayed fund settlements, and substantial exposure to chargeback fraud.
Global projections estimate 281 million chargeback incidents this year, with fraudulent claims accounting for as much as 70% and total disputed values surpassing $33.8 billion.
TrueLayer’s approach disrupts this model by leveraging direct bank account connections for credit, supported by robust authentication at the transaction moment.
This eliminates much of the fraud risk inherent in card systems while providing transparent, equitable pricing without concealed charges.
The timing aligns with growing scrutiny over Europe’s heavy dependence on US-based financial infrastructure.
American card networks currently handle around 95% of card transactions in the UK and comparable shares across the continent.
Meanwhile, Pay by Bank solutions are gaining momentum, now representing up to 17% of e-commerce transaction volumes in Europe.
Adopters like Amazon and eBay signal its shift toward mainstream status.
By incorporating credit capabilities, TrueLayer bolsters the viability of a robust, Europe-centric payments ecosystem as an alternative to traditional card dominance.
Francesco Simoneschi, CEO and co-founder of TrueLayer, emphasized the milestone: consumers can now select instant or deferred payments straight from their bank accounts through one consistent interface.
He noted that while Pay by Bank has already made strides against card supremacy in debit scenarios, this acquisition extends those gains to credit.
Integrating in3’s experienced team equips TrueLayer with the talent, connectivity, and offerings needed to forge an independent European payments framework.
Unlike conventional Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services that operate as isolated products, TrueLayer embeds credit within its established network.
This platform already serves over 25 million consumers in 22 countries and manages more than $150 billion in annualized payment volume.
Access to real-time banking data and advanced analytics supports quicker, more precise credit assessments, streamlined merchant integration, and fairer terms for users.
Hans Langenhuizen, CEO of in3, said:
“We created in3 to deliver credit that is equitable, straightforward, and open. TrueLayer’s network allows us to scale this vision to far more European consumers.”
Merchants stand to benefit significantly, as flexible credit options can lift average order values by around 20% and improve conversion rates by 20-30%.
TrueLayer’s integrated solution preserves merchant control over the customer journey, avoiding the handover typical with third-party credit providers, while enabling unified debit-credit processing, immediate settlements, and stronger client connections.
This development builds on TrueLayer’s prior acquisition of Swedish paytech Zimpler in late 2025 and reflects ongoing consolidation trends in European fintech.
It also precedes upcoming UK FCA regulations for deferred payment credit, set for July 15, 2026. in3 will maintain its Dutch base as integration proceeds, with deal financials remaining undisclosed. The acquisition underscores a maturing shift toward bank-centric payments that prioritize proper digital security.