As we move through 2025, these developments represent a critical moment in the evolution of the industry. New payment trends are emerging, reshaping how financial transactions are conducted across the globe.
From technological advancements to shifts in consumer behavior, these trends will not only impact the way payments are processed but will also set the stage for the future of the sector.
Key payment trends for 2025:
1. Real-time payments (RTP): Real-time payments (RTP) are gaining increasing traction as they enable transactions to be completed nearly instantaneously. This technology is expected to experience substantial growth, with the value of RTP transactions projected to rise by 289% between 2023 and 2030.
2. Mobile payments: Mobile payments are becoming a favorite tool in the industry due to the rapid development of technology. Their increasing dominance in the sector is clear, as more consumers turn to mobile wallets as their preferred method of payment. Globally, mobile wallets accounted for around 50% of e-commerce transactions in 2023, with this figure projected to rise to 61% by 2027.
3. AI in payments: Over the past few years, AI has rapidly gained momentum worldwide, becoming a transformative force in various industries — including the payments sector. Its growing capabilities have made AI an invaluable tool for streamlining operations, improving fraud detection, and enhancing customer experiences. As AI continues to evolve, its influence on the payments landscape is expected to expand even further. The global generative AI market in finance is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 1% from 2023 to 2032, rising from $1.09 billion to $9.48 billion.
4. Cross-border payments: Cross-border payments are experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising demand for international transactions. Both B2C and B2B cross-border payments are evolving, with businesses leading most of the market growth. However, B2C cross-border payments are expected to grow nearly twice as fast as B2B payments, with a projected increase of approximately 80% between 2024 and 2032, compared to a 43% growth in B2B payments during the same period.
5. Open Banking API: Open banking is rapidly gaining traction, as more financial institutions and third-party providers leverage APIs to offer seamless services. The number of open banking API calls is expected to grow dramatically, with a forecasted increase of 427% from 137 billion in 2025 to 722 billion in 2029.
Future predictions and industry impact
The future of the online payments industry points toward an even more seamless, interconnected, and user-friendly landscape. As digital adoption continues to accelerate globally, payment experiences will become increasingly embedded in everyday digital journeys — often happening in the background, almost invisibly.
Emerging payment trends, such as digital wallets, BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), and cash-to-digital transactions, are likely to gain more ground, especially among younger demographics. At the same time, regulations around data protection, digital identity, and financial transparency will play a bigger role in shaping the industry, requiring payment providers to adapt quickly and innovate responsibly.
Ultimately, the future of payments is defined by speed, security, seamless transactions, and customer empowerment.
Final thoughts
The industry is moving fast, with innovation at its core — reshaping not only how transactions are made but also how people interact with money. Payment trends continue to change, and to keep pace in this fast-changing market, adopting new technologies, and remaining agile is the key.
Source: OKTO
