Unlimit names Irene Skrynova CEO of global payments
Unlimit has appointed Irene Skrynova as CEO, Global Payments, putting her in charge of the group's global payments processing business as it shifts towards a broader financial infrastructure model.
The move reflects demand from merchants and digital platforms that operate across borders and must navigate fragmented payment systems, complex local regulation, and uneven settlement conditions. Skrynova will lead the unit closest to those day-to-day operational challenges for international businesses.
Expanded remit
Skrynova will lead Unlimit's global payments processing operations and oversee a combined structure across product, technology, and commercial functions. Unlimit says the reorganisation creates a single leadership model for the payments business as it expands into more markets and broadens its offering beyond processing.
Unlimit positions itself as a provider of financial infrastructure for businesses that trade internationally. Alongside payment processing, it offers multi-currency business accounts, banking-as-a-service, and fiat on- and off-ramp services that connect traditional finance with digital asset ecosystems.
Founded in 2009, Unlimit operates 17 offices across five continents, including London, Singapore, San Francisco, São Paulo, Hong Kong, and Mexico City.
Market pressures
The appointment comes as cross-border commerce continues to rise and more companies sell internationally earlier in their lifecycle. Many merchants now need access to local payment methods, local acquiring and settlement routes, and tools to manage multiple currencies and payout schedules.
Payment infrastructure remains uneven across regions. Some markets rely on card networks, while others are built around bank transfer schemes, domestic wallets, cash-based rails, or QR-driven payments. Merchants often stitch these methods together through multiple providers and integration models, raising operational overheads and making it harder to deliver a consistent checkout experience across countries.
Regulation adds another layer of complexity. Licensing requirements, anti-money laundering checks, sanctions screening, and data rules vary by jurisdiction. Settlement timeframes and chargeback processes also differ across payment types and markets, affecting working capital and customer support for businesses with international sales.
Unlimit says it is seeing demand for a more unified approach that connects local payment ecosystems into a single operating environment for merchants. It framed the shift as a move beyond traditional payment processing and towards an infrastructure layer for cross-border commerce.
Leadership track
Skrynova previously served as Unlimit's Chief Customer Officer, where she worked on international expansion and partnerships across markets. Her move into the new role also signals a focus on commercial execution and customer delivery as Unlimit develops its wider platform services.
Founder and CEO Kirill Eves linked the promotion to the company's growth plans and merchant network.
"Irene has been a key architect of Unlimit's global growth and one of the driving forces behind our expanding merchant ecosystem. She understands both the complexity of local markets and the technologies reshaping global finance. As we continue building the infrastructure that powers modern commerce, Irene is uniquely positioned to lead our global payments business into its next stage of growth," said Kirill Eves, Founder and CEO, Unlimit.
Skrynova said there is a growing gap between how quickly companies expand and the pace of payments modernisation across regions.
"Many businesses today operate globally from day one, but the payments infrastructure has not evolved at the same pace. Companies still face fragmented systems, complex regulation, and inconsistent settlement across markets. Our goal is to close that gap by building the infrastructure that connects local financial ecosystems with the next generation of global commerce, enabling merchants to expand internationally with confidence," said Irene Skrynova, CEO, Global Payments, Unlimit.
Operational focus
The new role consolidates responsibilities that often sit across separate teams at payments companies. Product sets the roadmap for which payment methods and services can be offered. Technology manages connections to banks, card schemes, and alternative payment methods. Commercial teams set pricing, manage partnerships, and support merchant integrations.
By putting those functions under one global payments leader, Unlimit aims to speed decision-making across markets and tighten the link between merchant needs and delivery. Skrynova's mandate includes strengthening the infrastructure platform and expanding its reach across emerging markets.
The roadmap also aligns with a broader industry shift towards platforms that combine payment acceptance with treasury tools, account services, and embedded finance. The shift reflects demand from online businesses seeking fewer vendors for payments, payouts, currency management, and related compliance processes.
Skrynova will lead the global payments processing business as Unlimit continues to develop its platform across payment processing, multi-currency accounts, banking-as-a-service, and fiat on- and off-ramps, alongside expansion across its international office network.