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When a Citizenship Scheme Collides with Payment Reality
The EU Court just ruled Malta’s citizenship-for-investment scheme illegal, and we just have to wait and see if every client file tied to a Maltese setup now has to be re-checked again.
This change will definitely have an effect on how international clients structure their operations, how banks respond to nationality claims in the future, and how onboarding logic needs to be written going forward.
All banks and payment providers now have to be brought up to date, their risk profiles need to be reviewed, and the old thinking that allowed these clients through without proper checks must be replaced with a more serious and current approach.
What was once a fast track can now raise red flags. If your account, SEPA access, or license was built on this structure, you could be in trouble.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-citizenship-scheme-collides-payment-reality-viktoria-soltesz-pfu8e/
When people talk about running a business, they focus on sales, marketing, and product development. But payments and banking? That’s usually ignored—until something goes wrong.
I recently spoke with Mirror Review about why payment and banking should be a core part of business strategy, not just a side concern.
In the interview, I break down why so many businesses struggle with banking and payment setups and how these issues can spiral out of control if not handled properly.
One of the biggest mistakes companies make is trusting a “free” payment advisor or broker, not realizing they’re actually paying for it in ways they don’t see. These so-called advisors work on commission, meaning they push businesses toward providers that pay them the most, not the ones that actually fit your business model. The result? Higher fees, frozen funds, compliance headaches, and providers that don’t support your growth.
Another overlooked issue is that the ones handling payments and banking tasks are not adequately trained to do so. Most businesses assume their finance teams can manage it, but payments require a completely different skill set (UX, data security and technology to mention a few). This lack of expertise leads to operational risks, hidden costs, and failed banking relationships.
Businesses can’t afford to treat payments as an afterthought. They need a structured, scalable, and risk-free banking and payment strategy that works for them—not for the intermediaries profiting off their setup.
If you're a business owner, CFO, or anyone dealing with payments, this interview is essential reading.
Read the article: https://www.mirrorreview.com/viktoria-soltesz/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIIHqxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW8gdS1f7QapSkeBaonGR9GCHgvSCwiHg57YFpq1XKwcbt6Kyqv1knwk1g_aem_x66dEqZW7Nm01kR7j0gCyw
I recently spoke with Mirror Review about why payment and banking should be a core part of business strategy, not just a side concern.
In the interview, I break down why so many businesses struggle with banking and payment setups and how these issues can spiral out of control if not handled properly.
One of the biggest mistakes companies make is trusting a “free” payment advisor or broker, not realizing they’re actually paying for it in ways they don’t see. These so-called advisors work on commission, meaning they push businesses toward providers that pay them the most, not the ones that actually fit your business model. The result? Higher fees, frozen funds, compliance headaches, and providers that don’t support your growth.
Another overlooked issue is that the ones handling payments and banking tasks are not adequately trained to do so. Most businesses assume their finance teams can manage it, but payments require a completely different skill set (UX, data security and technology to mention a few). This lack of expertise leads to operational risks, hidden costs, and failed banking relationships.
Businesses can’t afford to treat payments as an afterthought. They need a structured, scalable, and risk-free banking and payment strategy that works for them—not for the intermediaries profiting off their setup.
If you're a business owner, CFO, or anyone dealing with payments, this interview is essential reading.
Read the article: https://www.mirrorreview.com/viktoria-soltesz/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIIHqxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW8gdS1f7QapSkeBaonGR9GCHgvSCwiHg57YFpq1XKwcbt6Kyqv1knwk1g_aem_x66dEqZW7Nm01kR7j0gCyw
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More Updates From Viktoria
Viktoria S.
Apr 30, 2025
When a Citizenship Scheme Collides with Payment Reality
The EU Court just ruled Malta’s citizenship-for-investment scheme illegal, and we just have to wait and see if every client file tied to a Maltese setup now has to be re-checked again.
This change will definitely have an effect on how international clients structure their operations, how banks respond to nationality claims in the future, and how onboarding logic needs to be written going forward.
All banks and payment providers now have to be brought up to date, their risk profiles need to be reviewed, and the old thinking that allowed these clients through without proper checks must be replaced with a more serious and current approach.
What was once a fast track can now raise red flags. If your account, SEPA access, or license was built on this structure, you could be in trouble.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-citizenship-scheme-collides-payment-reality-viktoria-soltesz-pfu8e/
The EU Court just ruled Malta’s citizenship-for-investment scheme illegal, and we just have to wait and see if every client file tied to a Maltese setup now has to be re-checked again.
This change will definitely have an effect on how international clients structure their operations, how banks respond to nationality claims in the future, and how onboarding logic needs to be written going forward.
All banks and payment providers now have to be brought up to date, their risk profiles need to be reviewed, and the old thinking that allowed these clients through without proper checks must be replaced with a more serious and current approach.
What was once a fast track can now raise red flags. If your account, SEPA access, or license was built on this structure, you could be in trouble.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-citizenship-scheme-collides-payment-reality-viktoria-soltesz-pfu8e/
Viktoria S.
Apr 29, 2025
When the Lights Went Out: The Fragile Illusion of a Cashless Society
Yesterday Spain, Portugal and some parts of France was hit by a massive power cut. We had no phone lines, no internet, no payments, and no information. People panicked because they had no way to pay, no way to call for help, and no idea what was happening.
Our good old friend, cash, came back to save the day.
Supermarkets took advantage, raising prices and "forgetting" to declare and tax some extra income, while the whole idea of a cashless society was shown to be dangerously fragile.
The entire idea of a safe cashless society collapsed.
Read my article for more https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-lights-went-out-fragile-illusion-cashless-society-soltesz-d9pmf
Yesterday Spain, Portugal and some parts of France was hit by a massive power cut. We had no phone lines, no internet, no payments, and no information. People panicked because they had no way to pay, no way to call for help, and no idea what was happening.
Our good old friend, cash, came back to save the day.
Supermarkets took advantage, raising prices and "forgetting" to declare and tax some extra income, while the whole idea of a cashless society was shown to be dangerously fragile.
The entire idea of a safe cashless society collapsed.
Read my article for more https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-lights-went-out-fragile-illusion-cashless-society-soltesz-d9pmf
Viktoria S.
Apr 23, 2025
Why VCs Should Stop Wiring Money Upfront – And How Banks Can Win a Lot of New Business With This New Setup
Startups are sitting on investor money they do not need yet, which is not only risky but also costly. It is not only triggering banking red flags but also costing VCs millions in negative carry.
One freeze, one payment delay, or one compliance hurdle, and the entire business can collapse. However, in this setup, there is a huge opportunity for banks and PSPs to attract business with what everyone needs, and it is also very easy to implement.
The deferred funding model is not only better for both VCs and startups but also for the banks and payment providers. Founders and funds are not just looking for a place to park money but they want a trusted financial partner that is flexible, transparent, and responsive.
Whoever offers a real solution can win clients easily.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-vcs-should-stop-wiring-money-upfront-how-banks-can-soltesz-objqc
Startups are sitting on investor money they do not need yet, which is not only risky but also costly. It is not only triggering banking red flags but also costing VCs millions in negative carry.
One freeze, one payment delay, or one compliance hurdle, and the entire business can collapse. However, in this setup, there is a huge opportunity for banks and PSPs to attract business with what everyone needs, and it is also very easy to implement.
The deferred funding model is not only better for both VCs and startups but also for the banks and payment providers. Founders and funds are not just looking for a place to park money but they want a trusted financial partner that is flexible, transparent, and responsive.
Whoever offers a real solution can win clients easily.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-vcs-should-stop-wiring-money-upfront-how-banks-can-soltesz-objqc
Viktoria S.
Apr 21, 2025
The 2025 Banking Crisis: The Warning Signs Are Clear
Everyone still think that someone will step in before things collapse.
But the tools we used to delay the last crisis no longer work, and the safety nets around our funds are now quietly removed.
The recent move by the Bank of England to stop publishing bailout data is just one example of a broader change when we hide facts to pretend everything is OK.
But while asset prices are floating on empty promises and gold is rising because no one trusts the system anymore, the most damage will not come from the failure but from the delayed responses.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2025-banking-crisis-warning-signs-clear-viktoria-soltesz-y3erf/
Everyone still think that someone will step in before things collapse.
But the tools we used to delay the last crisis no longer work, and the safety nets around our funds are now quietly removed.
The recent move by the Bank of England to stop publishing bailout data is just one example of a broader change when we hide facts to pretend everything is OK.
But while asset prices are floating on empty promises and gold is rising because no one trusts the system anymore, the most damage will not come from the failure but from the delayed responses.
Read my article for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2025-banking-crisis-warning-signs-clear-viktoria-soltesz-y3erf/