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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ReportOctober 2026Fintech & PaymentsCrypto-gaming Market: 2026-2035Our Crypto-gaming Market research suite provides an insightful analysis of this rapidly growing market; enabling stakeholders - from crypto-gaming and sportsbooks operators, prediction market platforms, business-to-business (B2B) gambling platforms and software providers, to crypto payment processors and regulators - to understand future growth, key trends, and the competitive environment.
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ReportOctober 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityRetail Roaming Market: 2026-2031Our Retail Roaming research suite for mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) provides detailed analysis and strategic recommendations for the next era of retail roaming.
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ReportSeptember 2026Fintech & PaymentsEmbedded Finance Market: 2026-2031Embedded finance is one of the fastest-growing markets in financial services, and is about to accelerate even further. Our Embedded Finance Market research provides detailed analysis of the key drivers behind this growth, and what these mean for stakeholders in this market.
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ReportSeptember 2026Identity & SecurityApplication Security Market: 2026-2031Our Application Security research suite provides detailed analysis of this emerging market; allowing application security providers to gain an understanding of key security trends and challenges, potential growth opportunities, and the competitive environment.
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ReportSeptember 2026Fintech & PaymentsBanking Fraud Prevention Market: 2026-2031Our Banking Fraud Prevention research suite provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the types of fraud currently impacting the banking sector, and the evolving methods that can be used to overcome them.
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ReportSeptember 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityPrivate LTE & 5G Networks Market: 2026-2031Our Private LTE & 5G Networks research suite provides detailed and insightful analysis of this evolving market; enabling stakeholders - from private LTE & 5G network platform specialists, mobile network operators, and diversified technology companies - to understand future growth, key trends, and the competitive environment.
VIEW
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WhitepaperOctober 2026Fintech & PaymentsCompliance or Anonymity - The Crypto-gaming Operator’s Dilemma
Our complimentary whitepaper, Compliance or Anonymity - The Crypto-gaming Operator’s Dilemma, analyses the current regulatory landscape of the crypto-gaming market.
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WhitepaperOctober 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityReimagining the Future of Retail Roaming – How Mobile Network Operators Must Adapt
Our complimentary whitepaper, Reimagining the Future of Retail Roaming – How Mobile Network Operators Must Adapt, explores the emerging opportunities for MNOs within retail roaming.
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WhitepaperSeptember 2026Fintech & PaymentsEmerging Markets: The Next Opportunity for Embedded Finance
This free whitepaper examines how a combination of multiple factors is driving North America towards saturation for embedded finance.
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WhitepaperSeptember 2026Emerging TechnologyVibe Coding: The Fastest-growing Threat to Application Security Today
Our complimentary whitepaper, Vibe Coding: The Fastest-growing Threat to Application Security Today, examines the state of the application security market; considering its impact on different verticals, and how it is being employed in these verticals to best combat malicious attackers and keep sensitive data safe.
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WhitepaperSeptember 2026Fintech & PaymentsThe Fraud Frontier: Securing Banking in an AI-driven Era
Our complimentary whitepaper, The Fraud Frontier: Securing Banking in an AI-driven Era, examines the rapidly evolving state of the banking fraud prevention market.
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WhitepaperSeptember 2026Telecoms & ConnectivityHow Private Cellular Networks Are Unlocking Industry 4.0
Our complimentary whitepaper, How Private Cellular Networks Are Unlocking Industry 4.0, examines how private LTE & 5G networks are reshaping the way industry works.
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Fintech & Payments
Crypto Gaming: Wagers to Reach $1.3 Trillion by 2035, as Crypto Rails Widen Global Access Despite Regulatory Challenges
October 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Juniper Research Unveils Identity & Security Award Winners for 2026
October 2026 -
Retail Roaming Revenue to Fall $4 Billion By 2031, as Regulatory Restrictions and Competition Bite
October 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
Soft POS to Surpass 100 Million Installations in 2030
September 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
The NextGen Payments & RegTech Forum Arrives in Dubai
September 2026 -
Fintech & Payments
The Global Trade Finance Expo Arrives in Dubai, UAE
September 2026