Our payment methods are changing quickly. For this reason, companies that take online payments must stay ahead of these changes. Customer expectations are changing in 2025 to include convenience, speed, and trust.
Our speciality at CardCorp is assisting companies in opening merchant accounts so they can swiftly, safely, and internationally accept online card payments. As an experienced independent sales organisation (ISO), we also work with a variety of payment partners to offer customised solutions that meet different business needs.
While innovations in banking, digital wallets, and payment technologies continue to emerge, card payments remain the backbone of online commerce. By staying up to date with payment trends, you can improve your systems and give your customers a better experience.
While innovations in banking, digital wallets, and payment technologies continue to emerge, card payments remain the backbone of online commerce. By staying up to date with payment trends, you can improve your systems and give your customers a better experience.
This guide walks through the biggest payment trends in 2025 and how they matter for any business using online card payments.
1. Digital Payments Become the Standard
These days, digital payments are commonplace. Consumers anticipate quick, easy, and safe payment methods, with online card payments setting the standard. You risk losing sales if your online checkout is difficult to use or unclear.
Debit or credit cards are used for about 75% of eCommerce transactions worldwide, and this trend isn’t going away. Card payments feel familiar and simple, regardless of whether your customer is using a laptop or a mobile device.
What makes card payments so popular? They’re convenient, quick to process, and accepted almost everywhere – giving consumers confidence at checkout and businesses the tools to scale. On top of that, they support features like recurring billing, loyalty tracking, and chargeback protection, making them a robust solution for growth.
Why it matters:
- Global Acceptance: Card payments are recognised and trusted worldwide.
- Fast Settlements: Quick processing times improve cash flow and reduce operational delays.
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of business models, including eCommerce, subscriptions, SaaS, and marketplaces.
💡Did you know?
In 2024, global digital payment transaction volume exceeded 1.1 trillion, and it continues to climb in 2025. This surge reflects a major shift in how consumers prefer to pay, particularly online.
If you’re just getting started with digital payments, our guide to credit card processing breaks down everything you need to know about accepting payments online.
2. Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) Power Efficient Payouts
Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) are becoming more and more popular as a dependable method for companies to transfer money from card-based sources to digital wallets, prepaid cards, and bank accounts. They work well for topping up user accounts, paying commissions, and issuing refunds.
Platforms and apps that depend on quick, safe payout capabilities should pay particular attention to AFTs. AFTs are a logical extension of a business’s payment system since they allow for faster settlement than traditional bank transfers (such as wire transfers or direct deposits) by utilizing the same card networks that underpin regular card payments.
And here’s the benefit: businesses that already take card payments can use the same system to send money out. This makes things easier and helps keep customers happy.
Why it matters:
- Reliable and secure: Leverages familiar and secure card rails for seamless outbound payments.
- Faster cash movement: Speeds up money transfers for payouts, refunds, or funding.
- Flexible uses: Ideal for wallet funding, commissions, marketplace splits, and instant access to earnings.
💡Did you know?
AFTs are being adopted by global fintech platforms to power real-time payouts in industries like the gig economy, gaming, and cross-border services. They offer both scalability and compliance.
Want to learn more? Check out our guide: What Are Account Funding Transactions (AFT)?
3. Embedded Payments Enhance User Experience
By integrating payments seamlessly into the user experience, embedded payments are revolutionizing how companies manage transactions. Users can pay invoices or complete purchases within the app, platform, or service they are already using, rather than being sent to third-party gateways.
Particularly in SaaS, subscriptions, marketplaces, and on-demand services, this seamless experience is turning into a competitive advantage. Consequently, conversion rates rise and drop-off rates decrease when payments are integrated directly into the customer flow.
Whether it’s a customer paying a bill in-app or a vendor getting paid automatically after a job is completed, embedded payments remove unnecessary steps. And with CardCorp’s flexible merchant solutions, integrating embedded payments is easier than ever.
Why it matters:
- Boosts sales: Reduces friction at checkout, leading to more completed transactions.
- Better experience: Keeps users in your environment, strengthening brand trust and consistency.
- Saves time: Simplifies internal workflows and speeds up settlement cycles.
💡Did you know?
Businesses that adopt embedded payments report up to a 20% increase in conversion by skipping the redirect.
To dive deeper into automation, check out our post on payment orchestration.
Working with an Independent Sales Organization (ISO) can be beneficial if your company wants to improve or introduce embedded payment solutions. ISOs can help secure better merchant account terms, particularly for high-risk industries, and frequently have connections with several acquiring banks. Find out more about the advantages of working with an ISO.
4. Mobile Payments Continue to Rise
Particularly among Gen Z and millennial customers, mobile payments have evolved from a specialized choice to a commonplace norm. Consumers now anticipate using their phones to make payments, whether through in-app purchases, browsers, or NFC or QR codes at the point of sale.
It is anticipated that mobile devices will handle over 60% of all point-of-sale transactions worldwide by 2025. Additionally, the trend is only getting faster thanks to mobile-first payment methods like in-app checkouts, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Since mobile is where your customers are, now is the perfect time to make your checkout mobile-friendly.
Why it matters:
- Quick and easy: Reduces friction and speeds up the buying process.
- Better UX: Improves accessibility and encourages repeat purchases.
- Increased conversions: Customers are more likely to complete purchases when using trusted mobile methods.
💡Did you know?
In 2024, more than 1 in 3 online purchases in the UK were completed using a mobile wallet or smartphone payment method.
5. Digital Wallets Are Becoming Financial Super Apps
Digital wallets are evolving into multipurpose tools. They can now hold rewards, IDs, tickets, and even cryptocurrency in addition to cards. Apps such as PayPal and Apple Pay are becoming indispensable in daily life. The use of these wallets for shopping is becoming more and more popular.
People’s online and in-store shopping habits are evolving as a result of this trend. Supporting digital wallets is crucial for companies to remain relevant in 2025, particularly with audiences that prioritize mobile devices.
Why it matters:
- Wider reach: Digital wallets are used by billions of people around the world.
- Faster payments: Tap-to-pay and one-click checkouts improve speed and reduce cart abandonment.
- Built-in trust: Consumers feel safer using wallets that store tokenised card information and offer biometric security.
💡Did you know?
Digital wallets are expected to handle over $16 trillion in transaction value by 2028, thanks to their growing utility beyond payments.
6. Artificial Intelligence in Payments Improves Fraud Prevention
The use of artificial intelligence in payments is revolutionizing how companies handle risk, complete transactions, and enhance customer satisfaction. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as machine learning and behavioral analytics, are assisting in identifying fraudulent activity before it affects your bottom line.
AI frequently helps prevent false declines and increases the accuracy of fraud detection, ensuring that legitimate clients are not turned away. For companies, this translates into more transactions being approved, fewer chargebacks, and increased consumer trust.
Why it matters:
- Smarter security: Real-time fraud prevention with evolving detection algorithms.
- Higher approval rates: Faster approvals and fewer false declines, without manual intervention.
- Customer retention: Smoother payment experiences reduce friction and abandoned carts.
💡Did you know?
AI-driven fraud detection systems can reduce chargebacks by up to 50% compared to traditional rule-based methods.
Want to go deeper? Read our guide on chargebacks and how to prevent fraud.
7. Real-Time Payments Are Now Expected
Real-time payments are rapidly becoming the standard and are no longer considered a luxury. Consumers anticipate real-time notifications, prompt fund transfers, and instant confirmation for each transaction.
Thanks to global networks like Faster Payments in the UK and SEPA Instant in Europe, both consumers and businesses benefit from the speed and transparency of instant settlement. Real-time payments boost customer satisfaction and cut down on wait times, whether you’re paying a supplier or issuing a refund.
Why it matters:
- Customer satisfaction: Quick payments keep customers happy and reduce anxiety around delays.
- Better cash flow: Funds arrive faster, helping businesses manage liquidity more effectively.
- Operational efficiency: Faster reconciliations and fewer support requests for payment issues.
💡Did you know?
As of 2025, over 70 countries now operate real-time payment systems, processing billions of instant transactions each month.
For an inside look at how to stay on top of fast-moving payments, read our guide to payment reconciliation.
8. Security and Compliance Are Non-Negotiable
Security and compliance are essential, not optional, in today’s digital-first world. Consumers anticipate that their payment and personal information will be secure, and authorities are enforcing stricter guidelines for data security and transaction transparency.
Businesses must make sure they adhere to the necessary standards and collaborate with providers who place a high priority on data security in order to remain compliant. Payment processors such as CardCorp guarantee that your transactions are safe, compliant, and quick.
Why it matters:
- Builds trust: Secure transactions build credibility and repeat business.
- Meets regulatory standards: Avoids penalties, audits, and operational risks.
- Prevents financial loss: Strong compliance frameworks reduce the risk of fraud and chargebacks.
💡Did you know?
88% of consumers say they would abandon a transaction if they had security concerns at checkout.
CardCorp helps businesses meet PCI DSS compliance and supports best practices for securing cardholder data.
Bonus Trends to Watch in 2025
Although speed, trust, and customer convenience are the main payment trends for 2025, the following developments are also noteworthy:
- Generative AI in Payments: AI isn’t just for fraud prevention anymore. It’s now helping businesses speed up tasks, personalise checkout experiences, and better understand customer behaviour.
- Digital Identity & Seamless Authentication: Businesses are using digital ID tools to make it easier and safer for customers to confirm who they are when making a payment.
- Interoperability Between Payment Systems: With real-time payments and open banking growing, it’s more important than ever for systems to work well together.
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Some countries are testing digital currencies from their central banks to help make payments faster and more secure.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Evolution: BNPL is still growing, but with more rules and more banks getting involved, it’s becoming a more established way to pay.
- Biometric & Contactless Payments: Fingerprint scans, facial recognition, and tap-to-pay features are making payments quicker and more secure – especially on mobile devices.
You should keep an eye out for these trends. Even though they might not be essential to your company right now, they might influence how your clients want to pay in the future.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for Payment Trends in 2025?
2025 payment trends indicate a clear direction: card payments are at the center, along with speed, security, and simplicity.
Online card payments continue to be the most popular and reliable way to conduct digital commerce, even as innovations like AFTs, digital wallets, and real-time payments continue to advance.
Businesses must remain informed and flexible in order to stay ahead. There are more tools than ever before to improve your payment experience, from AI fraud protection to embedded payments, but having a solid and dependable foundation through card payments is essential.
At CardCorp, we help businesses open merchant accounts, accept card payments globally, and get set up with the tools they need to grow. We’re here to make it simpler to follow trends and maintain an advantage.