Open banking vs. digital wallets: Why Skrill still holds a key role for UK forex brokers - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Briefly

Two dominant deposit rails on UK-regulated forex broker cashier pages are Instant Bank Transfer (open banking) and Skrill Wallet. Open banking moves sterling directly from a customer's bank account over the Faster Payments rail, delivering rapid, single-currency transfers. Skrill provides a private multi-currency wallet that can be topped up by cards, other wallets, or cryptocurrency, offering flexibility and stored balances. Deposit choice directly affects conversion: funding speed, payment costs, and regulatory compliance including SCA and AML. Missing or expensive deposit options drive immediate drop-off. Combining both rails lets brokers balance seconds-fast settlement, tight cost control, FCA-compliant flows, and improved client retention.
Scroll through any UK-regulated Forex broker's website and you will spot two payment options anchoring the deposit screen: "Instant Bank Transfer (Open Banking)" and "Skrill Wallet." They may look like interchangeable buttons, yet each represents a different philosophy of moving money. Open banking pulls sterling straight from a user's bank account via the Faster Payments rail; Skrill stores multiple currencies inside a private wallet that can be topped up with cards, other wallets, or even crypto.
Why does this matter? Because a single missed deposit can mean a missed trade, a lost client, and thousands in lifetime revenue walking out the virtual door. UK business professionals, fintech enthusiasts, and active traders therefore have a shared interest in understanding which rail does what and why top-tier brokers with Skrill refuse to drop this option, even as open banking grabs headlines.
When a prospect lands on the cashier page, the list of available rails is more than a formality; it is the first credibility check. If the trader's preferred method is missing or expensive, they usually leave forever. Every deposit route must satisfy three competing forces: Speed. Funds need to arrive in seconds, not hours. Cost. Payment fees must not wipe out the broker's tight FX spreads. Compliance. The rail must meet FCA mandates on Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), anti-money-laundering, and safeguarding.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
[
|
]