Those are owned by the major banks, European banks, sure, but still private. Payment systems like these operate like private tax collection, levying a regressive tax on all transactions which flow through them. That’s from transaction fees which exceed the cost of processing said transaction.

I would much rather have a state-owned payment processor, which operates at cost, or is even completely funded by taxes. The extra tax revenue that would generate from increased economic activity would far outweigh its cost.

And neither has a card available, they’re more of a convenient frontend for your regular ol’ bank transfers.