Global Payments | 2026 Trends Spark Evolution in Payments Landscape
Edited By
Laura Chen
A recent report by Global Payments has highlighted transformative trends reshaping commerce and payment systems, revealing how AI and other technologies are pushing boundaries in the industry. The findings are based on interviews with experts and a survey of 600 decision-makers conducted in mid-2025.
Key Trends Reshaping Payments
The report identifies six main trends that signal a shift in how payments are processed and made:
Agentic Commerce:
AI shopping agents are transitioning into actual purchasing tools, with 15% of businesses very familiar with this concept. The report states, "AI may increasingly decide what to buy, when to buy, and how to complete payment."
POS Everywhere:
Payment acceptance is expanding beyond traditional registers into mobile devices and self-service systems, with 85% of midsized retailers adopting mobile POS solutions.
Embedded Finance:
There is notable growth in incorporating financial products directly into the shopping experience. Businesses anticipate real-time credit assessments and fraud detection enhancing user convenience.
Instant Payments:
Instant payments are already common for consumer refunds and purchases, facilitating speed and lower costs, crucial for SMBs.
Stablecoins:
Particularly relevant to the crypto space, stablecoins are moving from niche use in blockchain transactions to mainstream applications for business infrastructure. A significant number of businesses are considering using stablecoins to lower transaction costs.
Self-Service Payments:
Self-service is becoming standard across various sectors, providing convenience to consumers while boosting transaction sizes for businesses.
Compounding Trends Raise Questions
Notably, the report outlines a synergy among these trends that suggests a promising future for public distributed ledger technologies (DLT). As businesses navigate these changes, a major concern arises: Who will capture the related value? Establishments like Visa, Mastercard, and tech giants like Google are already positioning themselves.
"Payments are becoming embedded, instant, programmable, and stablecoin-adjacent," the report states.
Implications for the Future
The intersection of these trends could lead to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the payments space. However, the underlying infrastructure required to support them might not yet be fully comprehensive. As the reliance on AI increases, it raises the question of trust and security within transaction processes.
Sentiment Among Key Players
Interestingly, stakeholders express varied emotions about these developments, noting both excitement and skepticism:
"This represents a great opportunity for innovation and efficiency," a mid-sized retailer representative shared.
Conversely, another voice from a smaller business expressed concerns about the costs of adopting new technologies, stating, "We’re excited but cautious. Will the benefits outweigh the costs?"
Insights
🔹 15% of businesses are highly familiar with agentic commerce.
🔸 85% of midsized retailers use mobile POS systems.
🔶 A remarkable 73% of enterprises are looking at stablecoins for cost reduction.
The payments industry is on the brink of significant changes, as businesses and technologies evolve in tandem. The role of blockchain and DLT in this shifting landscape may become increasingly vital, while established players continue to adapt.
Future Payment Landscape
As we look ahead, a strong chance exists that businesses will increasingly adopt technologies like AI-driven commerce and stablecoins for their payment strategies. Experts estimate that by the end of 2027, around 60% of transactions may involve instant payment options, as consumers demand quicker service and clearer pricing. With the rapid expansion of mobile POS systems, smaller businesses might find themselves compelled to innovate at a faster pace to keep up with their larger competitors. If these trends continue, the payments industry could become more efficient and user-friendly, but this may also present challenges regarding security governance and the adaptation of existing infrastructure to support these advancements.
A Parallel in Modern Times
Consider the transition of the music industry with the rise of digital streaming. Just as artists had to adapt from physical sales to digital platforms, the payments sector is likewise reshaping its landscape. While many feared losing revenue through traditional methods, the overall market flourished as accessibility increased. In this parallel, innovation often overrides initial concerns, suggesting a similar fate for the payment trends taking shape today. As businesses embrace these changes, the potential for growth and efficiency might outweigh the uncertainties that accompany new technology.