Tribe Payments launches payment sandbox

UK fintech Tribe Payments has announced the launch of its first payments sandbox environment.

The sandbox is free-to-use and – in a claimed industry first – provides access to APIs across both issuing and acquiring.

Having officially launched in June, Tribe has already secured Visa verification as the firm aims to deliver “the future of payments.”

Along with significant partnerships with UnionPay and Starling Bank, the London-based fintech is now aiming to support developers with building modern back-end payment APIs.

“Nimble fintechs and fast-following incumbents need first mover advantage to win over innovation-hungry consumers and gain market share. This has led to a technology arms race, where payment providers are seeking the next “killer app” that will give them an unfair competitive advantage,” commented Alex Kelly, VP of Product, Tribe Payments. 

“But developers at these firms are hamstrung by environments that don’t allow them to test and experiment quickly and easily. 

“As the first sandbox offering free access to APIs across issuing and acquiring, we want to change that, as well provide a safe environment for non-traditional providers to develop services.”

Its sandbox enables financial institutions, challenger banks and fintechs to experiment with Tribe’s own APIs; developers can complete full technical integration that will reflect how the API would work when live.