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In Revolut, for example, you have specific toggles for ATM withdrawals, swipe payments, contactless payments and online transactions. You can limit or switch these types of transactions on or off. Surprisingly, Australian banks have such functional limitations.

We, as a company, have developed numerous mobile banking solutions for various banks. Limit control functionality is almost always in place.

The Uber breach, and the way it was handled, indeed highlights not only a lack of corporate ethics but also the dangerously patchy state of data protection in the U.S.

The culture of "move fast and break things" has too often meant breaking laws, privacy, and public trust. Transparency and accountability must become the default, not the exception.

I also find the contrast between regulatory philosophies in the U.S. and the EU quite thought-provoking. In the EU, legislation often precedes business interests, with the latter adapting afterwards. In the U.S., it's frequently the other way around - businesses move first, and regulations are introduced later to catch up.

It's a philosophical debate about which approach is better. I feel that while the EU’s strong legal frameworks are commendable in protecting individual rights, they sometimes overcorrect, limiting competition and unintentionally hindering the growth of innovative digital services.

Mastercard’s pivot is survival. Cards are just one rail now. 

Recently conducted in-depth research on Africa - surprised by the strength of the VISA system there. They’re building wallets, networks, and entire ecosystems. Competing with themselves, because if they don’t, the cards won’t take off. That’s the platform mindset.

Great piece, Sam. Who’s best positioned to out-platform Mastercard? Stripe? Adyen? Apple? Or someone we’re not watching yet?