The way we pay is evolving rapidly. That’s why staying ahead of these changes is crucial for businesses that accept online payments. In 2025, customer expectations are shifting toward speed, convenience, and trust.
At CardCorp, we specialise in helping businesses open merchant accounts to accept online card payments quickly, securely, and globally. As an experienced independent sales organisation (ISO), we also collaborate with a wide range of payment partners to provide tailored solutions that meet diverse 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.
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
Digital payments are now the norm. Customers expect seamless, secure, and swift payment options, with online card payments leading the way. If your online checkout is clunky or confusing, you could lose sales.
About 75% of global eCommerce sales happen using debit or credit cards, and this trend isn’t slowing down. Whether your customer is on a laptop or mobile, card payments feel familiar and easy.
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 gaining momentum as a reliable way for businesses to push funds from card-based sources into digital destinations such as bank accounts, prepaid cards, or digital wallets. They’re great for paying commissions, refunds, or topping up user accounts.
AFTs are especially relevant for platforms and apps that rely on fast, secure payout capabilities. Unlike traditional bank transfers (like direct deposits or wires), AFTs enable faster settlement by using the same card networks that power everyday card payments – making them a natural extension of a business’s payment setup.
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
Embedded payments are changing the way businesses handle transactions by making payments a seamless part of the user journey. Instead of being redirected to third-party gateways, users can complete purchases or pay invoices directly within the app, platform, or service they’re already using.
This frictionless experience is becoming a competitive advantage, especially in SaaS, subscriptions, marketplaces, and on-demand services. As a result, when payments are embedded directly into the customer flow, conversion rates increase and drop-off rates fall.
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.
4. Mobile Payments Continue to Rise
Mobile payments have grown from a niche option to a mainstream standard, especially among Gen Z and millennial consumers. Shoppers now expect to pay on their phones – whether it’s in-app, via browser, or at point-of-sale using NFC or QR codes.
By 2025, more than 60% of global POS transactions are expected to be completed via mobile devices. And with mobile-first payment experiences like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and in-app checkouts, the trend is only accelerating.
If your checkout isn’t mobile-friendly, now’s the time to fix that – because mobile is where your customers are.
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 turning into all-in-one tools. They don’t just store cards any more – they can hold rewards, IDs, tickets, and even crypto. Apps like Apple Pay and PayPal are becoming everyday essentials. More and more, people are choosing to shop using these wallets.
As this trend continues, it’s changing how people shop – both online and in person. For businesses, supporting digital wallets is essential to staying relevant in 2025, especially among mobile-first audiences.
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
Artificial intelligence in payments is transforming how businesses manage risk, process transactions, and improve customer experience. From machine learning to behavioural analytics, AI tools are helping to flag fraudulent behaviour before it impacts your bottom line.
In many cases, AI not only improves fraud detection accuracy but also helps reduce false declines, ensuring legitimate customers aren’t turned away. For businesses, this means more accepted transactions, fewer chargebacks, and greater trust from customers.
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 no longer a luxury – they’re quickly becoming the norm. Customers expect instant confirmation, immediate fund transfers, and real-time notifications for every 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. Whether you’re issuing a refund or paying a supplier, real-time payments increase satisfaction and reduce waiting time.
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
In today’s digital-first environment, security and compliance are critical – not optional. Customers expect their personal and payment information to be protected, while regulators are raising the bar on data protection and transaction transparency.
To stay compliant, businesses must ensure they meet required standards and work with providers that prioritise data security. Payment providers like CardCorp ensure your transactions are not only fast and smooth but also secure and fully compliant.
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
While the core payment trends in 2025 revolve around speed, trust, and customer convenience, here are a few other developments worth knowing about:
- 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.
These trends are worth keeping on your radar. While they may not be core to your business today, they could shape how your customers want to pay in the future.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for Payment Trends in 2025?
Payment trends in 2025 show a clear direction: speed, security, simplicity – and card payments at the core.
While innovations like AFTs, digital wallets, and real-time payments grow, online card payments remain the most widely used and trusted method for digital commerce.
To keep up, businesses need to stay informed and be ready to adapt. From embedded payments to AI fraud protection, there are more tools than ever to optimise your payment experience – but having a reliable and robust foundation through card payments is key.
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 easier to move with the trends and stay ahead.