Silverflow Launches Network Tokenization Whitepaper at MPE Berlin to Boost Merchant Authorization Rates

Silverflow has released a technical whitepaper at MPE Berlin 2025 detailing the impact of network tokenization on merchant authorization rates. For fintech professionals, the shift from Card-on-File to Token-on-File represents a critical move toward reducing churn and improving security as major card schemes mandate higher tokenization levels across the European payments landscape.

What was announced

Silverflow’s whitepaper, "Exploring the power of network tokenization for the modern payments stack," debuted at the Merchant Payments Ecosystem (MPE) conference in Berlin. The research highlights how network tokenization can drive a 3-6% increase in transaction authorization rates while simultaneously lowering churn. It specifically addresses the transition from legacy Card-on-File systems to Token-on-File, distinguishing between digital wallet tokens—like those used by Apple Pay and Google Pay—and merchant-specific Token-on-File implementations.

The report outlines how network tokens, issued directly by payment networks, solve the "walled garden" problem of proprietary tokenization systems that previously restricted interoperability. By using interoperable tokens, merchants can maintain payment continuity even when physical cards are replaced or expired. The timing of the release aligns with broader industry mandates; Mastercard aims for 100% tokenization of online transactions in Europe by 2030, while Visa reports that approximately 30% of its current transaction volume is already tokenized, with expectations to reach 70% by the end of the decade. Silverflow is presenting these findings at MPE 2025, held from March 18-20th at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin.

"As digital payments evolve, tokenization will continue to play a pivotal role as emerging technologies integrate with tokenization to create even more secure and convenient payment methods. The message for merchants and payment providers is clear: investing in tokenization is essential to meet growing consumer expectations for secure, seamless transactions."

Anne Willem de Vries, Co-founder and CEO of Silverflow

The companies involved

Silverflow is a cloud-native payment processing platform designed to replace legacy technology stacks with a more agile, data-driven infrastructure. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company provides a direct connection to card networks, bypassing the traditional layers of middleware that often hinder transparency and speed for acquirers and payment service providers. By offering a unified API, Silverflow enables its clients to access granular transaction data that was previously obscured by older processing systems.

The firm has positioned itself as a modern alternative in the global acquiring market, focusing on high-growth regions including Europe and the United States. Its architecture is built to handle the complexities of modern payment methods, including the network tokenization protocols discussed in its latest whitepaper. Silverflow’s leadership includes Co-founder and CEO Anne Willem de Vries, who has steered the company through significant scaling phases as it challenges established incumbents in the payment processing space. The company’s focus on cloud-native technology allows it to implement scheme updates and new security standards, such as those from Visa and Mastercard, more rapidly than traditional processors.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has tracked Silverflow’s rapid expansion, most notably its Silverflow Accelerates US Expansion with $40M Series B and New Sales Leadership, which highlighted the firm's intent to scale its cloud-native solution globally. The company has also been active in forming strategic alliances to broaden its reach, such as when Silverflow and Hypergate Partner to Launch Cloud-Native Acquiring Solution for Financial Institutions. Further European growth was evidenced when Silverflow and Griner Expand Partnership to Accelerate European Payment Processing. Additionally, the platform’s utility for merchants was demonstrated as Finsei Launches Integrated Card Acquiring to Simplify Merchant Payment Ecosystems, utilizing Silverflow’s backend to streamline operations.

What this means

The push for network tokenization is no longer a luxury for high-volume merchants; it is becoming a baseline requirement driven by the card schemes themselves. As Mastercard and Visa set aggressive deadlines for tokenization, the pressure shifts to legacy processors who may struggle to provide the interoperability required for a "Token-on-File" environment. This move by Silverflow highlights a growing divide in the market between cloud-native providers who can leverage granular data for optimization and older players trapped in proprietary "walled gardens." For the wider industry, the challenge remains whether the promised 3-6% lift in authorizations can be realized across all merchant tiers or if it will remain a benefit primarily for those with the technical resources to overhaul their payment stacks.