Affinity Exchange CEO Sam Balla-Muir has been named the winner of the prestigious Rising Star category at the Payments Awards 2025. The accolade recognises Sam’s outstanding contribution to the payments industry and his role in driving innovation and excellence within the sector.
Celebrating Innovation in Payments
The Payments Awards 2025, now in its 13th year, took place on 13th November in central London and brought together leading fintech firms, established financial institutions, and industry pioneers to celebrate groundbreaking achievements across digital payments, fraud prevention, and financial inclusion. Hosted by acclaimed comedian and presenter Maisie Adam, the ceremony highlighted the breadth of innovation shaping the payments landscape, from biometric authentication solutions to sustainable payment technologies and AI-driven fraud prevention platforms.
Rising Star Recognition
The Rising Star Award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent, leadership, and vision early in their careers. Sam Balla-Muir stood out among a competitive field for his work at Affinity Exchange, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing secure, inclusive, and customer-centric payment solutions. His recognition underscores Affinity Exchange’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of leaders in financial technology.
Commenting on his award win, Sam said; “Winning the Rising Star award is a huge honour. It reflects the passion and innovation driving Affinity Exchange as we help shape the future of payments. This award is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the incredible team at Affinity Exchange and our shared commitment to building secure, inclusive, and innovative payment solutions.
This isn’t a case of stopping here. This is just the start. At Affinity Exchange, we’re ambitious, we’re driven, and we aim to take over. Recognition on a global stage while competing with some of the biggest names in financial services is incredibly rare for an FX firm, and it motivates us to continue breaking down barriers and redefine what’s possible in our industry. The payments industry is evolving at an extraordinary pace, and we will continue contributing to its transformation – ensuring that technology empowers people and businesses in meaningful ways. Thank you to our clients, partners, and everyone who supports us. Excited for what’s next.”
For more about Affinity Exchange, please visit https://affinityexchange.co.uk/. For more information about the Payments Awards, visit www.payments-awards.com
ENDS
Image Caption:
Image 1: Affinity Exchange CEO Sam Balla-Muir has been named the winner of the prestigious Rising Star category at the Payments Awards 2025. For a high resolution version of this image please click here.
About Affinity Exchange
Affinity Exchange is a forward-thinking fintech company dedicated to building secure, scalable, and inclusive payment solutions that empower businesses and consumers alike. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Affinity Exchange continues to push boundaries in digital payments, ensuring that financial services remain accessible, efficient, and future-ready.
Media contact:
Fiona Anderson, GEC PR
07931 382773