Payments and Forex under pressure: how global regulations are reshaping the economy

Les international payments and the market for Forex are evolving in an increasingly complex environment, marked by a multiplication of international regulations. These rules, while essential to ensure financial stability and combat illegal activities, are redesigning the practices of exporting and importing businesses. Of the management of international transfers To the Euro dollar conversion, SMEs must navigate compliance, increased costs and currency risks. This article explores the impact of regulations on international payment methods and proposes solutions to transform these constraints into opportunities, in particular with tools like those from Keewe.

Introduction: An environment that has become (highly) regulated

Les international payments no longer boil down to a simple SEPA international bank transfer Or a SWIFT international bank transfer. Today, each bank transfer abroad is scrutinized through a strict regulatory lens, aimed at ensuring transparency, safety and sustainability. Regulations like the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), the MACF (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation), laws AML/KYC (anti-money laundering and customer intelligence), international sanctions, and the requirements of ESG reporting (environmental, social, governance) are multiplying. According to a study by the Bank for International Settlements (2023), compliance costs increased by 15% for financial institutions between 2018 and 2022, a burden that is having an impact on businesses.

Why are these regulations a game changer? For exporting and importing companies, they require more rigorous management of transfers in foreign currency And exchange rate, while increasing the risks of non-compliance. In this context, how can SMEs adapt to these new requirements while remaining competitive?

Increased obligations: international regulations and reporting

An explosion of regulatory obligations

Companies operating internationally are facing an avalanche of regulations. La CSRD, which came into force in 2025, requires European companies to publish.

detailed reports on their environmental impact, including that of international payments. The MACF, or border carbon tax, imposes additional costs on importers to offset emissions from incoming products. THEEUDR requires strict traceability of supply chains to avoid deforestation, impacting SWIFT transfers related to these transactions. In addition, the laws AML/KYC, promoted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), impose rigorous identity checks, while international sanctions, such as those against Russia, limit transfers abroad in some currencies.

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Cross-border payments under surveillance

Each international bank transfer is now under scrutiny by regulators. For example, a SWIFT international bank transfer to a country under sanctions may be blocked if AML/KYC checks are not respected. In 2022, the Bank of France noted that American sanctions have reduced the propensity of French exporters to charge Russia in US dollars by 4 percentage points, forcing a diversification of payment currencies.

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The weight of compliance

Compliance is becoming an essential step in the payment cycle. Businesses not only need to ensure that their international payment methods comply with the rules, but also produce detailed ESG reports. This increases the administrative burden, especially for SMEs, which often lack resources dedicated to compliance.

Direct impact on payments: deadlines, costs, restrictions Reinforced checks and extended deadlines

Regulations such as PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) require strong authentication for each SEPA international bank transfer or outside SEPA, which extends processing times. One SWIFT transfer takes an average of 2 to 5 days, according to SWIFT (2022), but AML/KYC verifications can add several additional days, disrupting the cash flow of SMEs.

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Risk of blocking or rejection

Non-compliance with regulations may result in the rejection of a Transfer in foreign currency. For example, in 2023, European companies saw their payments to Russia blocked due to sanctions, forcing them to find international trade payment methods alternatives, such as payment in yuan, which now represents 2.7% of global payments (Statista, 2024).

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Rising operational costs

Compliance fees : Bank compliance costs increased by 15% between 2018 and 2022 (BRI, 2023), a burden passed on to businesses through higher fees for a transfer abroad.

The role of Forex in this new landscape

Exchange rate transparency

Regulations require increased transparency on exchange rate applied during a Euro dollar conversion or other currencies. In the United Kingdom, the new rules of FCA (2023) forced Forex brokers to clearly display their fees, reducing costs for Solihull traders, as reported by FCA. In Europe, PSD2 imposes clear notifications on conversion costs, protecting businesses against hidden margins.

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Foreign exchange risk management

The volatility of Forex is a major challenge, with the euro testing parity with the dollar (1.00 USD/EUR) in Q1 2025 (J.P. Morgan, 2024). However, in Q2 2025, the euro rose sharply against the dollar, reaching 1.12 USD/EUR in April after the introduction of tariffs by Trump, which weakened the dollar.

Businesses can use futures, of future contracts, or tools on the Futures market to protect themselves. For example, a Futures contract allows you to block an exchange rate for a Transfer in foreign currency future, reducing uncertainty. However, these tools remain complex for SMEs without expertise.

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Restrictions on currency flows

International sanctions, such as those limiting USD/CNY transactions, have changed cross-border flows. In 2023, secondary US sanctions on dual-use goods reduced the use of the dollar in trade with Russia, increasing the volatility of pairs like USD/RUB and pushing companies to diversify their currencies.

Consequences for businesses: increased complexity and risks

Margin loss due to volatility

A poor prediction of exchange rate can be expensive. For example, a French SME exporting €500,000 to the United States may lose €23,800 if the euro falls by 5% against the dollar during the Euro dollar conversion. In 2020, 60% of European SMEs reported losses due to currency volatility (ECB SAFE Survey).

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Risk of fines and blockages

Non-compliance with regulations exposes to fines or payment blockages. In 2015, banks like JPMorgan Chase were fined $10 billion dollars for manipulating exchange rates on the Forex, showing that even the big players are not immune. For an SME, a SWIFT transfer blocked can paralyze a key transaction.

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Stress for teams

· Finance teams : Manage the Dollar conversion Euro and the transfers abroad becomes more complex with regulations.

· Compliance : Teams should check each international bank transfer to avoid sanctions.

· Export department : The pressure to find international trade payment methods compliance is increasing.

How Keewe helps you stay in control

Keewe offers adapted solutions to navigate this complex regulatory environment while optimizing your international payments.

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Compliant and traceable payments

Keewe guarantees vInternational transfers 100% compliant with AML/KYC regulations and international sanctions, all over the world. Whether it's a SEPA international bank transfer Or a SWIFT international bank transfer, your transactions are trackable and secure.

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Competitive and transparent exchange rates

With Keewe, benefit from exchange rate competitive and transparent for your transfers in foreign currency. Unlike banks, which add hidden margins, Keewe clearly shows the costs. In addition, simple coverage solutions, such as alternatives to futures contracts, protect you against the volatility of Forex.

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Tools to secure your transactions

Keewe offers integrated tools for:

• Follow your transfers abroad in real time.

• Secure your transactions against the risks of non-compliance.

• Avoid compliance pitfalls thanks to an intuitive platform.

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Specialized support

Keewe supports its customers sustainably with global solutions. Our team of experts is specialized in the management of international payments and risks associated with emerging markets, helping you optimize each international bank transfer while respecting regulations.

Conclusion: from constraint to opportunity

International regulations, from CSRD to sanctions, are here to stay. They complicate the means of international payments And the Forex, but agile businesses can use it as a strategic lever. By adopting international trade payment methods compliant and by effectively managing the exchange rate, SMEs can transform these constraints into competitive advantages.

With Keewe, simplify your SWIFT transfers, secure your transactions, and align your operations with global requirements. Ready to make regulation an asset? Discover how Keewe can support you in this new economic landscape.