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Exploring Payoneer’s approach to reaching SMBs in emerging markets

  • John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer, delves into the hurdles of cross-border payments for SMBs, the dynamics between new and established money transfer firms, and Payoneer's strategy for penetrating emerging markets.
  • One year into his role as CEO of Payoneer, John is focused on scaling the cross-border payments platform to expand into emerging markets.
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    CEO John Caplan on the firm’s direction 3 years after its SPAC listing.

    by SARA KHAIRI

    As the global economy evolves into a borderless, digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses [SMBs] are trying to keep pace and expand their reach on a global scale. Research shows that 72% of these SMBs view cross-border expansion as essential for growing their customer base and revenues.

    While embracing digital e-commerce platforms offers a pathway for SMBs to transcend geographical limitations and expand their businesses, tapping into these global networks to access broader markets presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of cross-border payments.

    In my recent discussion with John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer, we delved into the hurdles of cross-border payments for SMBs, the dynamics between new and established money transfer firms, and Payoneer’s strategy for penetrating emerging markets.

    John, now one year into his role as CEO of Payoneer, comes from a background in global e-commerce, having most recently served as president of Alibaba North America & Europe. At Payoneer, he is focused on scaling the cross-border payments platform to expand into emerging markets.

    What obstacles do e-commerce businesses face with cross-border payments, and how do you plan to expand Payoneer’s reach into emerging markets?

    John Caplan: If you’re an entrepreneur or operating a small consumer or service business in an emerging market like…


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