Embedded payments are becoming the backbone of modern commerce, and no one explains it better than our CEO, Louis Hoch.
In a recent episode of the PayPod podcast, Louis joined host Kevin Rosenquist to unpack what’s driving the evolution of payments – from invisible infrastructure to intelligent automation. Whether it’s a fintech startup, a government agency, or a national subscription platform, Louis emphasized one key idea: the future of payments is flexible, seamless, and built to adapt.
And at Usio, that’s exactly where we thrive – building smart, scalable solutions that flex around our partners’ needs, not the other way around.
Embedded Payments: More Than Just a Trend
As Louis explained on the podcast, embedded payments aren’t just about adding a checkout button – they’re about making payments so seamless, they feel like a natural part of the product experience. Instead of forcing users to leave the platform or interact with third-party systems, the transaction happens in the background, tailored to how the software works.
That philosophy is core to how Usio builds. We enable companies, whether fintech startups or municipalities, to make payments part of the product, not just an add-on.
Real Examples, Real Impact
Louis shared the story of MoviePass, whose payment system depends on Usio’s tech to function across thousands of theaters. From real-time card authorization to fund verification, it’s a behind-the-scenes engine that lets MoviePass offer a nationwide service without building individual integrations with every venue.
It’s just one example of how we help bring ambitious business models to life.
Government Disbursements: Meeting People Where They Are
On the public sector side, Louis described how Usio supported a recent government disbursement program, offering recipients the ability to choose how they wanted to be paid – physical card, virtual wallet, direct-to-card, even PayPal. That flexibility isn’t just convenient, it’s essential.
When people are receiving funds, especially at scale, options matter. And so does speed.
B2B Payments Still Need Work
While the consumer side of payments has moved forward fast, B2B is still playing catch-up. Louis noted that many companies are still printing checks, not out of habit, but because it supports their cash management strategies. That’s why Usio continues to support legacy methods and modern alternatives – ACH, virtual cards, and real-time payments – so businesses can modernize at their own pace.
What’s Next: Biometrics + AI
Looking ahead, Louis sees a future where biometric data, like retina scans, will generate secure tokens that are stored in digital wallets. AI will sit in between, helping make smarter, faster, and safer decisions about how transactions are routed. It’s a vision where payment becomes more secure and more invisible at the same time.
The Bottom Line:
Louis’s conversation on PayPod reinforced what we see every day: that flexibility, optionality, and the ability to deeply integrate payments into a product experience are what set modern platforms apart. It’s not about checking boxes – it’s about building infrastructure that supports real-world needs, today and tomorrow.
