Sends recognised in The Payments Power 50 2026

Sends has been recognised in The Payments Power 50 2026, the annual list from The Power 50 celebrating the companies and industry voices making their mark across the global payments industry. Now in its second year, The Payments Power 50 recognises 40 companies and 10 industry influencers making a meaningful contribution to one of the most competitive areas of financial services.

The 2026 list comes at an important moment for payments. Merchants are looking to improve approval rates and the customer experience; providers are balancing fraud, resilience, and regulatory requirements; and banks and fintechs are exploring new ways to support open banking, cross-border payments, digital wallets, embedded finance, and settlement.

Sends has been recognised for its work in cross-border payments for SMEs, providing businesses with a fast, secure platform that supports international bank transfers, card payments and alternative payment methods. Operating as an FCA-authorised EMI, Sends gives clients a dedicated IBAN for seamless global transactions across SEPA, SWIFT and UK Local Payments, alongside virtual payment cards for real-time spending — all accessible through its web platform and mobile app.

Commenting on the recognition, Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said: “SMEs are the backbone of international trade, yet for too long they have had to navigate cross-border payment infrastructure designed around the needs of much larger institutions. What we have built at Sends reflects a real commitment to changing that — giving businesses the tools to move money internationally with the same speed, transparency and reliability they expect from every other part of their digital operations.

Being named in The Payments Power 50 is recognition of the progress our team has made, and of the direction we are heading. The payments industry is moving towards a world where financial services must be embedded, intelligent and transparent about what they offer. This is a theme I explore further in my contribution to this year's Payments Power 50 guide, and it is exactly what we are building at Sends.”

Jason Williams, CEO of The Power 50, said: “Payments has always attracted ambition, but the industry is now being judged on delivery. The companies featured in The Payments Power 50 2026 are helping to make money move more safely, quickly and reliably, while supporting the services and infrastructure that modern commerce depends on.

We’re proud to recognise Sends as part of this year’s cohort. The Payments Power 50 is designed to celebrate the companies and individuals driving the industry forward, bring the payments community together and give those shaping the sector a platform throughout the year. Congratulations to Sends and everyone included in The Payments Power 50 2026.”

Those recognised in The Payments Power 50 feature in the annual publication and across The Power 50 website, with members also gaining access to content opportunities, networking events and year-round industry engagement. Alona Shevtsova contributes a feature article, co-written with her son Lev Shevtsov, exploring what the next generation of digital natives expects from financial services, and what the industry must do to earn their trust. The piece makes a case for moving beyond frictionless UX towards something more ambitious: financial platforms that are embedded, intelligent, and radically transparent about how they use data.

The full Payments Power 50 2026 list along with the article is available in the annual guide here.

About The Power 50
The Power 50 is a media platform and networking hub for the most influential, innovative and powerful figures in payments and fintech. Its annual guides reveal the most influential, innovative companies and visionary personalities shaping their industry.

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