Silverflow Achieves Record-Time Bancontact Certification to Boost Belgian E-commerce

Silverflow has completed the technical implementation and certification of Bancontact, the dominant electronic payment scheme in Belgium. For acquirers and payment service providers, this integration provides direct access to the Belgian market through a single API, streamlining data flows and reducing the technical overhead typically associated with connecting to fragmented local payment networks.

What was announced

Silverflow has officially integrated Bancontact into its cloud-native processing platform, enabling acquirers to process transactions for the Belgian market leader. The technical implementation and certification were completed in what the companies described as record time, leveraging shared expertise to facilitate direct access to the card network. This addition allows merchants to accept payments via the Payconiq by Bancontact app, which supports QR code scanning on desktops and direct mobile payments.

The integration is part of Silverflow’s broader strategy to consolidate disparate payment networks into a unified platform. Since its launch in 2020, the company has established connections with major global networks including Visa and Mastercard. The roadmap for the coming months includes further expansions to support AMEX, JCP, CUP, and Diners/Discover, alongside other local networks. By utilizing a single API, Silverflow aims to replace legacy processing stacks that often struggle with data transparency and speed. This approach allows payment service providers (PSPs) and acquirers to add new functionalities and improve the quality of data shared between issuers and merchants without the need for multiple, complex integrations.

"We are excited that we are now able to offer our customers Bancontact, a popular payment method from Belgium."

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

The companies involved

Silverflow, headquartered in Amsterdam, operates as a cloud-native payment processing platform designed to modernize the global acquiring stack. Founded in 2020, the company provides a direct link to card networks, bypassing the legacy technology that underpins much of the traditional banking infrastructure. By offering a single API for multiple global and local networks, Silverflow positions itself as a critical middleware layer for acquirers and PSPs looking to scale across borders without the friction of regional technical debt.

Bancontact, managed by the Bancontact Payconiq Company, is the leading electronic payment scheme in the Belgian market. It serves as the primary debit card system in the country, facilitating both physical and online transactions. The scheme has evolved significantly in recent years through its merger with Payconiq, integrating mobile payment capabilities that allow users to pay via QR codes. As a domestic scheme, Bancontact is essential for any merchant or acquirer seeking a comprehensive footprint in Belgium, where it remains the preferred method for consumers over international card brands.

What FF News has reported before

Silverflow has maintained a high level of activity in the market, recently securing significant capital to fuel its growth. FF News reported on the company’s Silverflow Accelerates US Expansion with $40M Series B and New Sales Leadership, a move aimed at challenging established incumbents in North America. The firm has also been active in forming strategic alliances, such as when Silverflow and Hypergate Partner to Launch Cloud-Native Acquiring Solution for Financial Institutions. Further European growth was highlighted when Silverflow and Griner Expand Partnership to Accelerate European Payment Processing. Additionally, the platform's technology was recently utilized by Finsei, as Finsei Launches Integrated Card Acquiring to Simplify Merchant Payment Ecosystems.

What this means

The integration of Bancontact highlights a growing industry shift toward "network-agnostic" processing. For years, the dominance of global giants like Visa and Mastercard overshadowed the importance of local schemes, but as merchants demand higher conversion rates, the ability to easily plug into domestic networks becomes a competitive necessity. This move puts pressure on legacy processors that rely on rigid, siloed systems for different geographies. It also raises questions about how quickly international acquirers can pivot to cloud-native solutions to keep pace with the speed of local scheme certifications, which are increasingly being commoditized by agile infrastructure providers.