Our Scans · (FS.8.01) Future of Payments · Weekly Summary

• [New] With a clear federal framework for payment stablecoins expected by mid-2026, 24/7 blockchain-based settlement rails will become permanent infrastructure of commercial banking. FinExtra
• [New] Payments by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) will incur a convenience fee of 3.1% of your total. Sacramento Metro Chamber
• [New] Digital payments now account for nearly 79% of retail transactions, supported by continued double-digit growth under Vision 2030 reforms. mea-finance.com
• [New] Blockchain frameworks are expected to see widespread adoption in 2026 to propel fintech, thanks to their scalability, regulatory compliance, and ability to support cross-border payments, stablecoins, and decentralized applications. Capmad.com
• [New] Over 80% of US millennials will make peer-to-peer payments in 2026, EMARKETER forecasts, making them the highest-adopting generation for mobile payments. eMarketer
• [New] In sum, the digital euro will deliver tangible benefits to European citizens, merchants and payment service providers alike - it is a win-win for Europe. European Central Bank
• [New] Banks that learn from proven models such as UPI, Pix, and Raast will be best positioned to transform real-time payments into a platform for growth, trust, and innovation. FinExtra
• [New] Bank regulators across the United States have begun to relax restrictions on crypto-assets and other forms of cryptocurrency, paving the way for increased opportunities to develop compliant solutions for holding and transferring value using regulated private payment systems. Avenga
• [New] The BRICS currency and payment initiatives are an expression of a pragmatic approach to global risks. Markus Schall
• [New] Near-field communication has been a highly useful technology for making contactless payments, but 2026 will see it become more involved in security incidents. Samsung Business Insights
• [New] The proliferation of stablecoins - accounting for 40% of crypto trading volume in 2026 - has lowered volatility risks, with $36 billion in annual B2B cross-border payments leveraging their stability. Ainvest
• Approximately 39% of U.S. merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout, with 84% expecting cryptocurrency payments to become commonplace within the next five years. JD Supra
• If companies like PayPal and other payment processors can make crypto feel as seamless as traditional checkout rails, adoption could accelerate quickly. CCN.com
• Crypto payments will become common within the next five years. CCN.com
• The big restaurant payment trends for 2026 - like contactless payments, mobile wallets, QR codes, crypto, Buy Now Pay Later options, integrated systems, biometric payments, and AI/ML tech - bring a ton of chances for restaurants to level up their payment game and meet what today's customers expect. OneHubPOS
• Cryptocurrency payments are set to grow at about 17% a year from 2023 to 2030. OneHubPOS
• We would expect a sustained push toward technology investments, particularly in secure payment platforms, cybersecurity, virtual and tokenised cards, and UPI-first credit products. The Times Of India
• Blockchain adoption in fintech will be an essential part of the global payments landscape in 2026, especially in the Global South. The Fintech Times
• As adoption of blockchain payments advances, the places where smart contracts run will expand dramatically from global networks only to include local and closed networks. ABeam Consulting Ltd.
• The big payment processors (Visa, Mastercard) are already exploring standards for biometric authorizations in retail, with palm and face biometrics in competition, which could trickle into event tech. Ticket Fairy
• During 2026, a complete, compliance-ready payments stack will come to life - giving console, PC, and mobile game publishers full ownership of money movement in their games and turning payments from a cost center into a strategic capability that delivers deeper experiences for gamers. FinExtra
• By 2026, digital identity will be deeply embedded into payments, open banking, and digital asset ecosystems, enabling frictionless verification, reducing fraud, and establishing trust as a programmable, interoperable layer of next-generation finance. M2P Fintech
• By 2026, tokenization will proliferate via embedded finance rails, powering tokenized payments and digital asset ecosystems that democratize access, boost efficiency, and cement blockchain as the trust layer for next-generation finance. M2P Fintech

Last updated: 12 February 2026