Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 20 MAY 2021

FCA Keeps A Close Eye On BigTech Entry Into The Payment Industry

Bird & Bird
Explore more from Bird & Bird

The French Competition Authority (FCA) has recently issued an opinion closing the sector inquiry it launched in the payment sector in January 2020.

FranceAntitrust/Competition Law
Eliott Costet
Eliott Costet
Author LinkedIn connections

The French Competition Authority (FCA) has recently issued an opinion closing the sector inquiry it launched in the payment sector in January 2020. The FCA's report mainly focuses on the disruption brought by new technologies and new market players in the sector, in particular BigTech companies. Whilst no enforcement action has yet been officially announced, there is no doubt that the FCA will keep a close eye on the competition law risks identified in the report.

In January 2020, the FCA announced the opening of ex-officio proceedings to assess the competitive impact of new technologies applied to financial services, and in particular payment services in France. Following extensive investigative work (including a public consultation launched in May 2020 - see our previous client alert here), the FCA issued its final opinion, outlining in particular the arrival of large BigTech platforms in the payment sector and the potential leverage they have to

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Airbus/Air France: A Procedural First For Efficiencies, Not Yet A Substantive One

The European Commission has cleared the Airbus/Air France joint venture in a landmark decision that marks the first time efficiency claims were assessed during Phase I merger review. While the transaction was ultimately approved without relying on these efficiencies due to lack of competitive concerns, the Commission's willingness to examine cost synergies, logistics benefits, and consumer advantages signals a potentially more receptive approach to efficiency arguments in future merger cases.
FranceAntitrust/Competition Law
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Article

French Merger Control: Increase Of Notification Thresholds

France is set to significantly raise the turnover thresholds that trigger mandatory pre-merger notification to the French Competition Authority, marking the first increase in general thresholds since 2004. The reform, adopted through the French Economic Life Simplification Bill in April 2026, amends Article L. 430-2 of the French Commercial Code and awaits final promulgation before entering into force in September or October 2026.
FranceAntitrust/Competition Law
Delsol Avocats
Delsol Avocats
Article

French Competition Authority – Launch Of A Public Consultation On The Review Of Its Sustainability Informal Guidance Framework

The French Competition Authority has opened a public consultation to evaluate its two-year-old informal guidance framework that helps organizations determine whether their sustainability initiatives comply with competition law. Since its introduction in May 2024, the framework has issued five guidance letters covering diverse environmental projects, from carbon footprint platforms to retail sector sustainability commitments.
FranceAntitrust/Competition Law
NAZALI Attorney Partnership
NAZALI Attorney Partnership