By Ulises Gil, journalist at G&M News.
Your company presented a range of advanced solutions at BiS SiGMA Americas. Among them (Pay and Play 2.0, Biometric PIX, Smart PIX, and OKTO MAIS), which one stands out as the most transformative for the Latin American market?
At OKTO, every innovation we showcased at BiS SiGMA Americas was driven by a clear purpose: solving real challenges in Latin America’s digital payments ecosystem. If I had to pick one solution that stands out in terms of transformative power, Pay and Play 2.0 is undoubtedly leading the charge, It isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a game-changing response to what operators and users truly need: speed, security, and seamless compliance. It enables instant deposits, removes onboarding hurdles with simplified KYC, and slashes the time between signing up and actually playing. In an industry where every second matters, this kind of fluidity is a major competitive edge. For operators, it means better compliance and higher retention. For users, it’s pure convenience: smooth, fast, and secure. Next up is Pix Biometria, which combines two of Latin America’s biggest strengths: the widespread adoption of PIX and the rapid evolution of biometric technology. This solution takes instant payments to a new level of confidence and ease. Imagine completing a transaction with just your fingerprint -no redirects, no passwords, no friction-, just the trusted security of your biometric identity. In a market where speed and safety are non-negotiable, Pix Biometria delivers both beautifully. Then there’s OKTO MAIS and Smart Pix, two foundational pieces in our vision for a connected, personalized user experience. OKTO MAIS is a modular, highly customizable hub that brings together channels like WhatsApp, biometrics, Pix, and more, all tailored to the unique complexities of Latin American markets. Smart Pix takes the region’s most-used payment method and makes it even smarter, safer, and more efficient. In short, these solutions weren’t built to compete; they were built to complement each other. Pay and Play 2.0 is clearly at the forefront of this transformation, especially as regulations evolve and the market demands faster, more intuitive, and secure experiences. right behind it, Pix Biometria is setting a new standard, blending innovation with trust, all at the tap of a finger.
How did operators respond to OKTO’s unified payment platform and Smart Payment Routing System?
The feedback we received at the Brazilian show was overwhelmingly positive and, even more importantly, very specific. Operators and partners weren’t just impressed with the technology behind our unified payment platform and Smart Payment Routing System; they saw how these innovations directly address their operational pain points. What resonated most with operators was the simplicity and intelligence of our unified platform. In a market as complex and fragmented as LatAm, many partners told us that managing multiple PSPs, integrations, and compliance frameworks was draining both time and resources. Our unified solution changes that. It centralizes all payment methods -PIX, cards, wallets, bank transfers- under one cohesive infrastructure. This isn’t just about aggregation; it’s about orchestration. One API. One backend. Full visibility and control. That’s a massive win for operators looking to scale efficiently across different regions. Now, regarding our Smart Payment Routing System, the enthusiasm was even more immediate. What they appreciated is how our system dynamically routes transactions based on real-time success rates, costs, and user preferences, optimizing both performance and profitability. We heard from multiple operators who were dealing with high failure rates or slow settlements and immediately recognized how our smart routing could boost their approval rates while lowering operational friction. Another point that got a lot of attention was our localized intelligence. Unlike generic global systems, ours is built to understand local behaviors, local payment culture, and local regulatory nuances, from Brazil to Colombia to Mexico. Partners said they felt we weren’t just offering a product, but a strategic payment backbone tailored to their reality.
The firm has invested heavily in localization and regulatory compliance. How do you manage the balance between innovation and local regulatory frameworks?
Striking the right balance between innovation and regulatory compliance is not just a challenge; it’s a strategic pillar of how we operate across Latin America. At OKTO, we don’t see innovation and compliance as opposing forces. In fact, our entire innovation pipeline is shaped by regulation. We innovate within the regulatory framework -and often ahead of it- because we believe sustainable growth in LatAm depends on both agility and accountability. Our first principle is localization. Every Latin American country has its own regulatory rhythm, cultural nuances, and user behavior. That’s why we don’t apply a ‘copy-paste’ model from other markets. Instead, we build from the ground up. We localize our infrastructure, partner with legal experts on the ground, and -when possible- proactively engage with regulators to anticipate changes rather than react to them. That’s how we built OKTO Bank in Brazil: not just to serve local demand, but to anchor our services in a fully regulated environment. From an innovation perspective, we focus on what we call “compliant disruption.” That means delivering cutting-edge technology -like Biometric PIX, Pay and Play 2.0, and our Smart Routing System-, but always within the boundaries of local legislation. These are not just features; they’re solutions engineered with full AML, KYC, and data protection requirements in mind. Compliance isn’t an afterthought; it’s built into the code. Another layer to this balance is transparency. We ensure that both our operator partners and end-users know that they’re using a secure, regulated, and trusted payment environment. This builds long-term credibility and keeps us aligned with the expectations of local authorities, particularly in highly scrutinized sectors like gaming and fintech. Finally, we remain future-focused. Regulation in LatAm is evolving quickly (sometimes unpredictably), and our strategy is to stay two steps ahead. That means constant investment in compliance infrastructure, legal tech, and flexible product architecture that can adapt to new requirements with minimal disruption to partners.
What impact do you believe Open Banking and instant payment methods like PIX will have on the future of gaming and entertainment in Brazil and the rest of LatAm?
Open banking and instant payment methods like PIX are not just influencing the future of gaming and entertainment in Latin America; they’re actively reshaping its foundation. These innovations are accelerating a shift from transactional payments to frictionless, real-time, and trust-based financial experiences. In a region where speed, accessibility, and regulation converge in complex ways, that’s a game changer. Let’s start with PIX. In Brazil, it’s already the dominant payment method, and it’s evolving fast. What makes PIX so powerful for gaming and entertainment is its instantaneity and ubiquity. Players want to deposit and start playing now, and PIX enables that with near-zero delay. It’s not just about speed; it’s also about inclusion. PIX has dramatically expanded access to digital payments, especially for previously underbanked or cash-reliant users. That widens the addressable market for operators overnight. Now take that a step further with innovations like Biometric PIX or Smart PIX. These layers add security, personalization, and intelligence, meaning users not only pay faster but do so with greater confidence and control. That directly improves conversion, reduces fraud, and builds long-term user loyalty. Then there’s Open Banking. While still in earlier stages across most of LatAm, its potential is massive. In the gaming and entertainment space, Open Banking enables deeper financial insights, more accurate risk profiling, smarter responsible gaming tools, and better onboarding experiences. For example, with user-permissioned data, we can verify income sources, assess affordability in real time, or even tailor incentives based on spending patterns, all while respecting privacy and compliance. At OKTO, we’re building solutions that bring both technologies together. OKTO MAIS, for instance, already leverages open banking rails to enrich KYC and improve payment logic, while still relying on instant methods like PIX for transaction execution. It’s this convergence (open infrastructure + instant rails) that will define the next chapter of digital entertainment in the region.
Which are OKTO’s main goals and priorities for the remainder of 2025?
While we’re incredibly proud of the recent innovations we’ve launched -from OKTO MAIS to Biometric PIX and our Smart Routing system-, this year is far from over. The second half of the year is all about scaling what works, expanding our regulatory footprint, and deepening our presence across key LatAm markets. One of our top objectives is the regional rollout of our payment orchestration engine. We’ve proven its impact in Brazil, and now we’re focused on expanding its capabilities in countries like Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The goal is to offer a truly unified and intelligent infrastructure that adapts to each country’s payment ecosystem, regulatory framework, and user behavior, without operators needing to rebuild from scratch. Another major priority is growing the ecosystem around OKTO MAIS. This product has become a gateway into the broader OKTO platform, and we’re now working on strategic integrations that bring together financial services, loyalty programs, responsible gaming features, and real-time data intelligence. It’s more than a payment tool; it’s becoming a digital financial companion. On the innovation side, we’re exploring biometric-based transaction approvals, machine learning for fraud prevention, and enhanced embedded finance features. None of this innovation is for innovation’s sake. It’s about solving real problems operators face every day: friction in onboarding, low approval rates, security gaps, and fragmented UX. Finally, we’re doubling down on partnerships. OKTO doesn’t grow alone; we grow by creating value across the entire chain: operators, platforms, regulators, and, of course, end users. We’ll be expanding our partner enablement program, launching new educational content, and co-developing localized campaigns with operators in key markets. In this sense, we think this 2025 is about consolidation, expansion, and thoughtful innovation. We’ve laid the foundation; now we’re building at scale, with purpose, and always with a local-first mindset.