As the industry gears up for the biggest payments event in the European region, we reflect that the global payments ecosystem is undergoing a radical transformation in 2025, as both consumers and businesses demand a more seamless, intelligent, and secure experience.
Payments in 2025: Simpler, smarter, faster
The ambition is clear: to make payments as frictionless and intuitive as sending a message – instantaneous, integrated, and intelligent.
While significant progress has been made, the journey is far from complete.
Digital-First Mindset
At the heart of this shift is a digital-first mindset.
Financial institutions are moving beyond the role of mere transaction enablers, aiming instead to become full-service money management platforms.
Today’s consumers expect apps that help them budget, monitor subscriptions, receive spending alerts, and set savings targets – all within a clean, user-friendly interface.
According to recent research from Visa and Tink, over 70% of European consumers now use digital tools to manage their finances, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.
In this landscape, traditional banks are under pressure to keep pace with digital-native challengers offering streamlined, mobile-first services.
Real-Time Payments
Real-time payments (RTP) have already redefined domestic money movement, but the next challenge lies in cross-border flows.
Consumers and small businesses alike increasingly expect international transfers to be as fast, low-cost, and transparent as local ones.
However, legacy infrastructure, inconsistent regulation, and currency complexities continue to create friction.
Visa’s data highlights this disconnect: two-thirds of marketplace sellers report that slow cross-border payouts impair their business, while fewer than 3% of SMEs are satisfied with current options.
Innovations like Visa Direct and SWIFT’s global RTP efforts are promising, but the industry has yet to deliver a truly global, real-time solution.
Artificial Intelligence
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of personalised finance.
From AI-driven fraud detection to real-time spending insights and predictive financial coaching, machine learning is transforming the payments experience.
As automation and data analytics become standard features, users are beginning to expect intelligent services that anticipate needs and offer actionable advice.
Alongside AI, biometric security – such as fingerprint scans and facial recognition – is replacing passwords and PINs, offering stronger security with a smoother user experience.
Subscription Fatigue
Subscription fatigue is another challenge that’s come to the fore.
With an ever-growing number of recurring payments, consumers are calling for better visibility and control.
In the UK, half of banking customers want tools that alert them to renewals and facilitate one-click cancellations.
For financial providers, offering such features is no longer optional – it’s an opportunity to build trust and deepen engagement.
Embedded Finance
Embedded finance and account-to-account (A2A) payments are also gaining traction.
By integrating payment functionality directly into platforms and apps, businesses can provide frictionless checkout and financing options.
A2A payments, meanwhile, offer a faster, cheaper alternative to cards. But these innovations bring new risk.
Fraud is increasingly targeting RTP and A2A rails, requiring robust, real-time security investments.
The bottom line?
In 2025, offering fast and secure transactions is table stakes. True success will depend on delivering intelligent, proactive, and user-centric financial tools.
Providers must evolve from facilitators of payments into partners in financial wellbeing – offering solutions that are as smart as they are swift.
The future of payments is bright, but only for those who continue to innovate with trust, speed, and user control at the core.
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