In today’s fast-changing digital economy, the world of merchant acquiring is undergoing a profound shift. Traditional risk assessment frameworks that were once reliant on static rules, legacy systems, and historical data are being replaced by smarter, adaptive technologies. These innovations are enabling acquirers to make faster, more accurate decisions while improving fraud detection and compliance. At the center of this evolution is a new mindset: one that sees risk not as a barrier but as an enabler of business growth.

A New Playbook for a New Era

Noam Itzhaki, CEO of Ballerine, is among the voices leading this transformation. In his new book, Navigating Merchant Risk in the AI Era, Noam lays out a practical playbook for risk leaders navigating the fast-moving world of acquiring. Drawing on years of experience working with financial institutions and payment providers, he explains how acquirers, fintechs, and PSPs can turn risk and compliance into a strategic advantage.

The book is designed to help professionals modernize their approach by leveraging AI, real-time intelligence, and collaborative risk data. It includes case studies, tactical frameworks, and actionable insights that can dramatically reduce onboarding times, enhance fraud detection, and help organisations scale with confidence. It's not just a conceptual guide but rather a hands-on manual for operationalizing change.

Why Free?

The decision to offer the book for free is a deliberate one.
“We believe in open knowledge and collaboration across the risk ecosystem,” says Noam.
“The faster we share tools, the faster we raise the bar for everyone, from startups to large institutions. Our goal is to build a smarter, safer, and more inclusive payments ecosystem.”

A Shared Vision for Smarter Acquiring

Cihat Fitzgerald, CRO at Ballerine and former VP of Ecosystem Integrity at Visa, echoes this vision. As a seasoned leader in global payments risk and compliance, he views the book as essential reading. “This playbook shows how acquirers can move beyond legacy systems and take control of risk with intelligence and agility,” he says. “It’s about making better decisions, faster and doing so without compromising compliance.”

The Big Shift: AI, ML, and Real-Time Risk Intelligence

Risk professionals are no longer just fraud fighters, they’re strategic growth partners. But to succeed in this new role, they need modern tools. That’s where AI, machine learning , and collaborative risk intelligence come into play. These technologies allow acquirers and PSPs to approve more merchants, reduce friction in onboarding, mitigate fraud earlier, and stay ahead of ever-changing regulatory demands.

Static underwriting models and reactive fraud detection simply aren’t enough anymore. The shift to real-time, AI-powered risk intelligence is not just a technical upgrade, it’s a mindset change.

Takeaways for Risk Leaders

If you work in risk, underwriting, or compliance, this book offers more than insight, it provides a pathway. Whether you're navigating new geographies, onboarding high-risk segments, or scaling globally, Navigating Merchant Risk in the AI Era gives you the tools to lead the way.

Download Your Free Copy

Ready to rethink your approach to risk?
Download your free copy of Navigating Merchant Risk in the AI Era today and join a growing community of professionals rethinking what’s possible in the world of intelligent acquiring.