In the fast-moving world of global commerce, Worldpay's 2025 Global Payments Report delivers an essential snapshot of how technology, consumer behavior, and financial infrastructure are intersecting. Drawing from data across 40+ global markets, the report shows how digital wallets, real-world assets (RWAs), and AI are changing the rules of how we pay and get paid.
Digital Wallets Take the Lead
Digital wallets now dominate the global e-commerce landscape, accounting for 49% of total transaction value. Their rise in physical retail is just as dramatic, surpassing cash in 2024. Mobile proximity payments are growing fast, expected to hit $74 billion by 2034.
In a single decade, digital payments for in-store purchases jumped from 3% to 38%, while online payments surged to 66% of all value nearly double what it was in 2014. Mobile commerce is now responsible for 57% of global e-commerce and is projected to grow to 64% by 2030.
"The internet and mobile have transformed everything," said Ian Gertler, CMO of Blubird and a longtime advisor in emerging tech. "From my work with 1-800-FLOWERS to today's FinTech trailblazers, I've seen how legacy systems are being replaced by smarter, more scalable infrastructure. What's most exciting now is the drive to connect traditional and digital environments seamlessly."
AI, Tokenization, and the Next Layer of Innovation
The new face of payments is being shaped by technologies like tokenization, real-world assets (RWAs), and AI-driven fraud prevention. These are not buzzwords they're foundational tools in building secure and efficient systems.
Gertler highlighted AI's ability to revolutionize payment authorization, detecting fraud in real time and enabling a smarter, faster experience. "As payments evolve, we're seeing increasing demand for experts in AI, behavioral analytics, and machine learning. These aren't just nice-to-haves they're essential."
He also emphasized the importance of IoT-powered payments, noting that the IoT payments market is projected to reach $711 billion in 2024. "IoT devices are now initiating transactions autonomously. Think refrigerators ordering groceries or industrial systems handling procurement. That means we need robust cybersecurity and scalable infrastructure to support it all."
FinTech Infrastructure Comes of Age
Worldpay's report points to the growing maturity of the FinTech stack. APIs, blockchain, AI, and IoT are no longer emerging they're foundational. Platforms built on these tools are enabling real-time customization of payments, from fraud mitigation to currency conversion.
"Emerging tech like blockchain, AI, and APIs are connecting the dots across the payment journey," said Gertler. "Consumers care about speed and security. Founders and investors care about efficiency, partnerships, and outcomes. These tools serve both."
He cited PayPal's partnership with Coinbase as a pivotal moment, emphasizing PayPal's interest in stablecoins and broader crypto adoption. "Their CEO Alex Chriss is betting on use cases beyond speculation. PYUSD is being positioned as a real-world utility, and that's a shift worth watching."
PayPal Ventures is already backing crypto rails for cross-border commerce. As Amman Bhasin noted, these systems are enabling real-time settlement for B2B payments, payroll, and remittances cutting out intermediaries and lowering costs.
Payments as a Strategic Differentiator
For modern businesses, payments are no longer just an operational necessity they're a source of competitive advantage.
Worldpay's report recommends businesses focus on three pillars:
- Customer-Centric Design: Meet users where they are. Offer seamless payment options, real-time financing, and loyalty incentives.
- Security as Differentiator: With rising digital adoption, brands that prioritize encryption, fraud detection, and transparency will win long-term trust.
- Infrastructure Agility: Adopt API-first models and partner with FinTech providers to remain flexible as technology and consumer expectations shift.
Looking Ahead: Integrated Experiences Are the Future
As Gertler noted, "FinTech today isn't just about speed or access it's about creating intelligent, integrated experiences. Trust is the new currency, and value is delivered not just through what we offer, but how we offer it."
He pointed to Stripe's recent return to crypto, quoting co-founder John Collison: "Crypto is back. We're bringing it back to Stripe, but this time with a much better experience." Stripe's support for global stablecoin payments with instant on-chain settlement and automatic fiat conversion signals a new chapter in financial innovation.
From the front-end user experience to the back-end infrastructure, payments are becoming a strategic lever for growth, innovation, and loyalty. For leaders in retail, finance, or tech, the time to invest in modern payments infrastructure isn't tomorrow it's now.
