10-09-2025

20 years of Buckaroo: Paul on focus, pride, and opportunities in Europe

In 2025, Buckaroo celebrates a special milestone: 20 years as a trusted partner in payment solutions. This anniversary year is a moment to reflect on the people who make Buckaroo what it is today. Their stories show how we bring our slogan Paying Attention to life every single day. In this edition, we speak with Paul Scholten, CEO of Buckaroo, about the company’s growth, the dynamic payment market, and future plans.

Focus as a guiding principle

For Paul, Paying Attention is all about focusing on the elements that drive Buckaroo forward. On the one hand, it’s about technology: “Handling one billion transactions is quite complex.” The payments industry is a demanding business that requires precision and innovation.

But attention goes beyond technology, as Paul emphasizes: “We always put the customer’s interest first in everything we do.” At the same time, he strongly believes that employees make the real difference. “In the end, they are the ones doing it for us. That’s why paying attention to the people behind the company is just as much a part of Paying Attention.”

“We always put the customer’s interest first in everything we do”

A company on the move

Since Paul started as CEO in 2018, Buckaroo has grown significantly. Back then, the company had just over 50 employees, while today more than 200 people work there. Remarkably, many colleagues from his early days are still part of the team. “Together we’ve made the transition from a relatively small company with a limited number of clients to a business with many more customers, larger clients, and more complex products.”

That development makes Paul visibly proud. “I believe it’s important to be proud, because that pride reflects not only toward employees but also toward customers.”

Dynamics in the payments market

What appeals to Paul most about this sector is its constant movement. Innovations follow each other at a rapid pace, requiring alertness and flexibility. For Paul, that’s precisely the charm of the payments market: “It’s a highly dynamic environment where you really need to stay on top of developments.”

A concrete example is the change in online payments on a European scale. Between 2026 and 2027, iDEAL will be replaced by Wero. Wero is a European product that will be rolled out in several countries including Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Paul adds: “That obviously creates opportunities.”

Opportunities towards Europe

In the coming years, Paul sees a clear path for Buckaroo. First, the position in the Benelux will be further strengthened. But the ambition doesn’t stop there. “The next step is to look at how we can expand our position in Europe. There is still plenty of growth potential, that’s for sure.”