Digital wallets are the preferred method of payment for millions of people globally in 2025, not just a payment option. Digital wallets are currently used by over 5.2 billion individuals and account for more than 60% of all e-commerce transactions worldwide. With an estimated $10 trillion processed yearly, Apple Pay has risen to the top of the market, while rivals like Google Pay, PayPal, and local behemoths like Alipay and WeChat Pay are still growing. But what’s truly driving these changes? And how will businesses need to adapt?
Speed: Instantaneous transactions have become the standard. The European Parliament's adoption of the Instant Payments Regulation in March 2024 mandates that payment service providers offer instant payments at the same cost as standard credit transfers. By January 2025, this regulation aims to democratise access to instant payments across the EU.
Security: With the rise of cyber threats, robust security measures are paramount. The biometric payment market in Europe is projected to reach $66.74 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. This growth underscores the increasing adoption of biometric authentication methods to enhance payment security.
Seamlessness: Consumers expect frictionless payment experiences across all platforms. In France, mobile payment solutions like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay accounted for 10.1% of proximity payments in 2023, a significant increase from 1.2% in 2020. This trend highlights the rapid adoption of mobile wallets, reducing reliance on physical cards.
Are digital payments the new norm for younger generations? A recent study found that 93% of Gen Z use peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms, while 91% rely on mobile wallets—over 40% engage with each more than five times a month. Meanwhile, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) adoption is soaring, nearly doubling from 26% to 46% in one year among Gen Z. This shift highlights a growing expectation for seamless, flexible payment options that could reshape the future of credit and digital transactions.
As consumer behavior continues to evolve, businesses must stay ahead by embracing emerging payment trends that will shape the future of transactions.
Invisible Payments – AI-driven transactions where payments happen in the background, such as Uber’s ride payments or Amazon’s Alexa-powered voice transactions.
Biometric and Wearable Payments – Smartwatches, rings, and even palm-recognition payments are gaining traction.
AI-Powered Predictive Payments – AI will anticipate purchasing behavior and automate payments, making transactions even more seamless.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) – Governments worldwide are experimenting with digital currencies to enhance financial inclusivity and efficiency.
The financial world is changing—how will you adapt? Join QUBE Events at the 20th NextGen Payments & RegTech Forum on 6 March 2025 at the Marriott Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland, where top experts from eBay, Netflix, Visa, Revolut, Google, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Synpulse8, EY ifb, PRMIA, Vivox AI, KPMG, Growfin, CleverChain, Alvers & Marsal, bunq, Julius Baer, Booking.com, PostFinance, MoneyGram, Squirro, Swiss Bankers Association, CORE, Bitcoin Suisse and many more will discuss the latest trends in payments, digital wallets, and crypto!
Book now to secure your spot and enjoy a 10% discount before it expires! Contact us at info@qubevents.com to claim the discount!
To register and access the agenda: https://bit.ly/4fDnzt1
For more information on registration, please contact info@qubevents.com
By: Zinah Abdaki, Marketing Head
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