The Distillery #6: The UK's Great Banking AI Experiment & Infobip's Messaging Trends
In this edition:
- UK financial firms can now experiment with AI, thanks to NVIDIA and the FCA
- Infobip's 3 biggest mobile messaging trends examined
- We reveal the opportunities that SGP.32 is set to create within cellular IoT
- Our latest insights on AI in cellular networks, shared mobility, soft POS, and VodafoneThree
TELECOMS & CONNECTIVITY
How SGP.32 is Supercharging the Next Cellular IoT Boom
6.5 billion. That’s the number of cellular IoT connections we’re forecasting by 2030 — and SGP.32 is set to play a huge role in making sure these connections are managed faster, cheaper, and more flexibly than ever before.
To mark the release of our new cellular IoT research, we’re offering an exclusive look at three opportunities SGP.32 will create for operators, IoT MVNOs, and others in the connectivity orchestration space.
🟣 SGP.32 is more than just remote provisioning. It lets enterprises switch providers faster and more often; slashing provisioning time and cost. That places orchestration front and centre, giving operators and platforms who master multi-network management a real competitive edge.
🟣 eSIM becomes viable for low-cost hardware. Simpler integration and fewer hurdles mean eSIMs can now power devices such as alarms and sensors; opening new markets and fresh revenue opportunities for operators to scale IoT like never before.
🟣 Security has long been a barrier for cellular IoT adoption. SGP.32 changes the game by adding stronger lifecycle management and built-in cybersecurity; which should ease enterprises' concerns over device security and embolden wider IoT deployments.
FINTECH & PAYMENTS
FCA and Nvidia Team Up to Help UK Banks Experiment with AI
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a “supercharged sandbox” with NVIDIA, giving banks early-stage access to AI tools, data, and regulatory support.
Starting in October, firms can experiment with NVIDIA’s AI Enterprise Software to explore safe AI use; tackling challenges like privacy and fraud. The FCA says the initiative aims to boost innovation and help firms lacking in-house capabilities while supporting market growth.
Distilled...
🟣 This sandbox aims to tackle key barriers to AI adoption within financial services, including data access, compliance uncertainty, and infrastructure gaps. By participating, firms can accelerate the development and launch of advanced, compliant AI solutions - gaining a clear edge over competitors.
🟣 Giving financial services firms a safe space to experiment with AI will be crucial to unlocking efficiency savings from AI integration. Our research on the topic says UK banks are already saving $129 million this year; climbing to $3.9 billion by 2030.
🟣 Smaller firms may struggle to meet the technical, financial, or resource demands needed to participate; risking larger players dominating the field. The FCA introducing scaled participation tiers or subsidised access could balance things and prevent AI advancements from concentrating within a few firms.
TELECOMS & CONNECTIVITY
Infobip Industry Analyst Summit: 3 Messaging Trends to Watch
At last week’s Infobip Industry Analyst Summit, Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, highlighted three key trends shaping the shift from simple messaging to real conversations.
Click below to read our blog unpacking these trends and, together with our own insights, what they mean for the future of mobile messaging.
(A big thank you to the Infobip team for inviting us!)
ICYMI
Signal Boost
Every issue, we highlight the research, blogs, infographics, and insights we're especially proud of.
🔒 Mobile operators clearly don’t need a sandbox, judging by how they're set to invest over $17 billion in AI-driven network security over the next few years.
🚴 Shared mobility and micromobility are transforming travel in cities and rural areas alike, as cash-strapped youngsters move away from car ownership.
💳 Our latest infographic breaks down how soft POS is helping small businesses to boost sales, cut costs, and simplify payments.
📱 And finally, Vodafone and Three have joined forces to become VodafoneThree. Here’s what this means for UK telecoms.
Latest research, whitepapers & press releases
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ReportMay 2026Fintech & Payments
Shane O'SullivanDigital Identity Verification Market: 2026-2030Our Digital Identity Verification research suite provides detailed analysis of this rapidly changing market; allowing digital identity verification solution providers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to gain an understanding of key trends and growth opportunities.
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ReportApril 2026Fintech & Payments
Jawad JahanStablecoins Market: 2026-2035Our Stablecoins market research suite provides detailed and insightful analysis of this evolving market; enabling stakeholders such as central banks, commercial banks, stablecoin issuers, and payment service providers to understand future growth, key trends, and the competitive environment.
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ReportApril 2026IoT & Emerging Technology
Molly GatfordPhysical AI in Manufacturing & Logistics Market: 2026-2030Our Physical AI in Manufacturing and Logistics research suite provides in-depth analysis of the key economic, operational, and technological factors driving growth in this fast-growing market.
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ReportApril 2026Fintech & Payments
Nick MaynardAgentic Commerce Market: 2026-2031Juniper Research’s Agentic Commerce research suite provides an insightful analysis of this rapidly emerging market; enabling stakeholders, including AI developers, payment infrastructure providers, eCommerce marketplaces, merchants and many others, to understand future growth, key trends, and the competitive environment.
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ReportMarch 2026Fintech & Payments
Michael GreenwoodB2B Payment Cards Market: 2026-2030Our B2B card payments research suite provides detailed analysis of this rapidly changing market; allowing B2B card providers to gain an understanding of key payment trends and challenges, potential growth opportunities, and the competitive environment.
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ReportMarch 2026Telecoms & Connectivity
Alex WebbDirect Carrier Billing Market: 2026-2030Our Direct Carrier Billing research suite for mobile network operators provides detailed analysis and strategic recommendations for the direct carrier billing market over the next four years.
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WhitepaperMay 2026Fintech & Payments
Shane O'SullivanDigital Identity Verification in an Era of AI, Fraud & Regulatory Change
This complimentary whitepaper examines the state of the digital identity verification market: considering the impact of regulatory developments, emerging risk tactics, and how identity verification is evolving beyond traditional customer and merchant onboarding.
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WhitepaperApril 2026Fintech & Payments
Jawad JahanPayment Rails Without Borders: The Rise of Stablecoins
Our complimentary whitepaper, Payment Rails Without Borders: The Rise of Stablecoins, analyses the history of stablecoin from its inception to the current day. It also provides insight into key trends shaping the stablecoin market, and an evaluation of stablecoins versus traditional payment rails.
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WhitepaperApril 2026IoT & Emerging Technology
Molly GatfordKey Growth Opportunities for Physical AI in 2026
Our complimentary whitepaper, Key Growth Opportunities for Physical AI in 2026, provides insight into the rapidly evolving physical AI in manufacturing and logistics market; highlighting the countries in which high demand for automation in these industries is anticipated over the next five years.
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WhitepaperApril 2026Fintech & Payments
Nick MaynardAgentic Commerce - Revolution or False Dawn?
Our complimentary whitepaper assesses the trends that are increasing agentic commerce adoption, and challenges to agentic commerce usage. Additionally, it includes a forecast summary of the global spend on agentic commerce by 2030.
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WhitepaperMarch 2026Fintech & Payments
Michael GreenwoodHow B2B Payment Cards Are Streamlining Corporate Expenses
Our complimentary whitepaper, How B2B Payment Cards Are Streamlining Corporate Expenses, examines the state of the B2B payment cards market; considering its impact on different geographies and how it is shaping the modern B2B payments landscape through card controls, payment data analysis tools, and fully integrated spend management solutions.
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WhitepaperMarch 2026Telecoms & Connectivity
Alex WebbDirect Carrier Billing: Unlocking Emerging Revenue Streams for Operators
Our complimentary whitepaper, Direct Carrier Billing: Unlocking Emerging Revenue Streams for Operators, explores the emerging opportunities for mobile network operators to monetise direct carrier billing.
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Fintech & Payments
Cross-border Payment Transactions to Hit $63 Trillion by 2030 Globally, as Cross-border eCommerce Scales Rapidly
May 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Corporate Cards: 66 Million Cards in Use Globally by 2030, with Adoption Rising Among Microbusinesses
May 2026 -
Telecoms & Connectivity
Social Media Messaging Users to Reach 4.3 Billion Globally by 2027; Offering Unique Advantages to Enterprises
May 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Digital Identity Verification Market to Surpass $29 Billion by 2030 Globally, as LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Experian, and Thales Identified as Leaders
May 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Stablecoin Cross-border B2B Transactions to Reach $5 Trillion by 2035, Causing Disruption to Correspondent Banking Channels
April 2026 -
IoT & Emerging Technology
Post-quantum Cryptography (PQC): 27% of Businesses Globally to Deploy PQC by 2035, Driven by Crypto-agility
April 2026