Rethinking Payments: Square and Waave on Competition, Cost, and Choice

In this episode of the Fintech Australia Podcast, we explore the evolution of Australia’s payments landscape with leaders from Square and Waave. Hosted by David Adams, senior business journalist at SmartCompany, this conversation unpacks how fintechs have transformed a once bank-dominated payments market through innovation, accessibility, and simplicity.

Marco Lamantia, Executive Director at Square Australia, reflects on the company’s founding vision, its ambitious push to help Australian businesses, and its stance on the RBA’s proposed payments reforms. Ben Zyl, co-founder and CEO of Waave, brings a perspective from the open banking frontier, highlighting how pay-by-bank innovation is challenging the traditional card model, cutting costs and expanding choice for merchants and consumers alike. 

From proposed surcharging bans and interchange fees to shifting consumer behaviour and what’s next, this wide-ranging conversation captures how fintech is reshaping the future of payments in Australia.

Learn more about Square and Waave and Smart Company.

This season of FinTech Australia podcast is sponsored by Vanta.

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