Adyen vs Awin

Adyen Upgrades Authenticate with AI Payment Optimization

Adyen has significantly expanded its authentication offering, Authenticate, as part of its Uplift optimization suite. The module now uses machine learning to route each transaction in real-time to the most appropriate authentication technology, replacing static 3DS rules. It integrates 3DS, Google Secure Payment Authentication, Mastercard and Visa Payment Passkeys, and pure data flows. The system dynamically decides whether authentication is needed, which method to use, and which data to send to card issuers, optimizing over 150 data fields for 3DS. It also works with Adyen's fraud management module Protect to recognize trusted buyers and minimize friction. Early customers report conversion gains: Too Good To Go saw an 11% relative increase in payment conversion, and Just Eat Takeaway.com reported a 12% higher conversion rate among qualifying visitors. Authenticate is now available worldwide for 3DS and issuer request optimization; newer methods like Google SPA and passkeys are being rolled out gradually, with live transactions already occurring in the UK and broader international rollout planned by 2027.

• Adyen upgrades Authenticate with AI-based routing and optimization.
• The platform integrates 3DS, Google SPA, Mastercard and Visa Payment Passkeys.
• Too Good To Go reports an 11% relative increase in payment conversion.

German Consumers Want AI Shopping Control

A follow-up study by Riverty and Adyen reveals that 49% of German consumers expect AI to handle a large portion of their everyday shopping within the next five years. While 67% understand the concept of AI shopping agents, sentiment is divided, with about a quarter positive and a quarter negative. Control remains key: 21% cite personal control as the main trust factor, 19% fraud protection, 14% data privacy, and 19% would never trust AI for purchases. 48% prefer AI as a shopping co-pilot for product search and recommendations, while only 16% accept fully autonomous purchases. Food and household goods (33%) are the most trusted categories, followed by subscriptions (25%) and ticketing (24%). 51% prefer invoice payment, and willingness to entrust higher budgets has decreased. Human support remains crucial for 56% of consumers.

• 49% of Germans expect AI to handle a large portion of everyday shopping within five years.
• 67% understand the principle of AI shopping agents.
• 21% cite personal control as the most important trust factor for AI shopping.

Adyen H1 2026: Net Revenue Rises Nearly 20%

Adyen reported strong first-half 2026 results: net revenue rose 19% year‑on‑year to €1.303 billion and processed payment volume increased 24% to €803.8 billion. EBITDA was €641.5 million (49% margin) and free‑cashflow conversion reached 86%. After H1 the company completed acquisitions of Talon.One and Orb and introduced new offerings including Adyen Agentic and Intelligent Money Movement to address AI-driven commerce and liquidity management. Adyen added several large international customers (Aritzia, OpenAI, Xiaomi) and GOV.UK Pay in the public sector, expanded the Toast partnership, obtained a UAE retail payments licence, and joined the x402 Foundation. For full-year 2026 Adyen expects 21–23% net revenue growth (constant FX) and plans higher 2026 capex (~7% of net revenue).

• Adyen reported net revenue of €1.303 billion in H1 2026, a 19% increase year‑on‑year (21% at constant FX).
• Payment volume processed via Adyen's platform rose 24% to €803.8 billion in H1 2026.
• EBITDA for H1 2026 was €641.5 million, corresponding to a 49% margin (50% excluding one‑off transaction costs).

Awin Newsroom: New Executive Appointments, Major US Investment, and Platform Innovations

The Awin newsroom page has been updated with several new press releases, including the appointment of Varun Aggarwal as Chief Product & Technology Officer, Anna Jones joining the Supervisory Board, a multi-million dollar US investment announcement, and new platform features. These updates reflect significant corporate developments and product launches.

BuildLab Competition: Seven Affiliate Firms Build AI Time-Saving Tools

At PI LIVE Europe, the BuildLab competition brings together seven affiliate marketing companies to develop next-generation partnership tools that address time-consuming manual tasks, approval chasing, and data fragmentation in the affiliate channel. Teams from Tradedoubler, Awin, Impact.com, Optimise, Everflow, Adtraction, and Bravo Savings Network will build working prototypes in a single day, using AI tools, models, and MCP integrations. The winner will be announced at the AIP Summit on October 21. This initiative highlights the industry's focus on leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance strategic work.

• PI LIVE is hosting BuildLab, a competition to create next-gen partnership tools.
• Seven companies participate: Tradedoubler, Awin, Impact.com, Optimise, Everflow, Adtraction, and Bravo Savings Network.
• Each team builds a working prototype in one day using AI tools and MCP integrations.

Awin Hires Former Amazon Exec as Chief Product & Technology Officer

Awin, a global affiliate marketing network, has appointed Varun Aggarwal as its new Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO). Previously holding leadership roles at Amazon and Checkout.com, Aggarwal will lead a unified product and technology strategy aimed at accelerating the platform's growth, with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence. The company plans to launch new features like AI Visibility and Smart Search to help advertisers better understand and measure the impact of their affiliate partnerships across the increasingly complex customer journey. CEO Adam Ross highlighted Aggarwal's experience in scaling global commerce platforms and his expertise in product development, commerce, and AI as key assets. The move signals Awin's commitment to leading technological innovation in the partner marketing space.

• Awin appointed Varun Aggarwal as Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO).
• Aggarwal previously held leadership positions at Amazon and Checkout.com.
• Awin plans to introduce new AI-driven features, including AI Visibility and Smart Search.