Black Friday and Cyber Monday test more than a merchant’s ability to handle high transaction volumes. Katia Puchkova, Chief Operating Officer at xpate, shares her perspective on what happens when payment providers, fraud controls and settlement processes struggle to work together under pressure.

For businesses selling across borders, the consequences can range from declined payments and lost sales to delays in accessing funds for stock, fulfilment and marketing.

Katia Puchkova connects these everyday business concerns with the systems behind them, considering how unified payment infrastructure can support reliable processing and cash flow. Her perspective extends beyond seasonal preparation: the problems that surface during holiday peaks can reveal weaknesses that affect merchants throughout the year.