Italy’s sovereign lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) announced it will lift its holding in payment‑processor Nexi to as much as 29.9% of the listed company. The move deepens CDP’s role as a strategic backer of Italy’s digital‑payments ecosystem, where Nexi already commands a leading market share. Investors will watch how the enlarged stake influences governance and capital allocation for the coming year.

The decision follows a period of consolidation in Europe’s fintech sector, during which sovereign investors have stepped in to stabilize key infrastructure firms. By pushing its ownership toward the 30% threshold, CDP gains greater voting power without triggering a mandatory offer under EU rules. That balance may give Nexi more flexibility to fund product development and cross‑border expansion in the near term.

Market analysts note that a near‑30% stake signals confidence in Nexi’s growth trajectory and could buoy its share price amid broader volatility in Italian equities. The infusion of state‑backed capital may also reassure partner banks wary of funding gaps in the fast‑moving payments space. CDP’s increased exposure ties its financial performance more closely to the digital‑payments market’s fortunes in 2024.