Spotting which trends are fads and which are here to stay can be tricky. Payment trends in the past year included the rise of EMV technology, the digitization of B2B payments, biometric authentication, and the increased adoption of mobile wallets. Consumer demand for greater payment flexibility and convenience is the driving force behind the adoption of these payment trends.
Experts predict this desire will continue to affect payments in 2024. Rapid innovations in digital payments are giving new digital-first consumers more choices, and acquirers, solution providers, and merchants must make informed decisions about how to position their customers and companies to meet those demands.
When updating your year-end business strategy, keep these top digital payment trends in mind. Here we look at the latest digital payments trends to help navigate what’s to come, as well as identify new opportunities along the way.
But before you go any further, you should check out the latest statistics on digital payments.
So, let’s get started!
Digital Payments Statistics – Some Exciting Numbers
- By 2024, the Digital Payments sector’s total transaction value is expected to reach more than US$9.46 trillion.
- Digital payments’ total transaction value is expected to reach $10,715,390 million by 2025, representing an annual growth rate of 10.88%.
- As per Statista, the market’s biggest fragment, computerized business, is expected to have a complete exchange worth $4,751,964 million.
- Digital Commerce is the largest market segment, with a projected total transaction value of $6.03 trillion.
- As per the reports, in 2022, the global digital payment market was worth USD 81.03 billion, and it is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 20.8% between 2024 and 2030.
- Currently, 89% of adults in the United States and two-thirds of adults worldwide use digital payments.
- As per Statista, worldwide, the Digital Payments market is expected to grow by 11.80% between 2024 and 2027, reaching a value of US$14.78tn in 2027.
- By 2026, it is anticipated that 24% of all consumer spending will come from e-commerce.
- As per the reports, 9 out of 10 central banks are looking into CBDCs or central bank digital currencies.
Latest Digital Payment Trends in 2024
Making payment strategies into revenue accelerators will be the key to lowering processing costs and increasing revenue in 2024. Here are five digital payment trends to keep an eye on in 2024 and the coming years:
01- CBDC – Central Bank Digital Currency
CBDC, or Central Bank Digital Currency, refers to a type of digital currency that is issued and controlled by a country’s central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which are decentralized and not backed by any government, CBDCs are backed by the issuing country’s government and operate within the existing financial system.
CBDCs have gained traction in recent years as a potential solution to issues such as financial inclusion, money laundering, and the decline of physical cash usage. CBDCs could also potentially reduce the cost and time associated with cross-border payments, making them a more efficient and secure alternative to traditional payment methods.
Many countries, including China, Sweden, and the Bahamas, have already launched CBDC pilots or are in the process of developing their own CBDCs. However, concerns around privacy, security, and the potential impact on monetary policy have been raised.
As digital payment trends continue to accelerate globally, CBDCs are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of the financial industry. Moreover, to stay ahead of the competition you should know about the latest fintech app development trends. Now, let’s proceed to know the advantages of CBDC.
Benefits of CBDC
- Complement current forms of money and financial services.
- Improve international payment options.
- Increase payment efficiency.
- Potentially reduce net transaction costs, benefiting low-income households.
- Deter criminal activity.
02- Rise of Embedded Finance
The rise of embedded finance and digital payments is transforming the way we think about traditional banking and financial services. Embedded finance refers to the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, such as social media apps, e-commerce platforms, and mobile devices.
As a result, consumers can conduct financial transactions seamlessly within the platforms they already use regularly. The rapid growth of digital platforms drives this trend, the rise of mobile-first consumers, and advancements in technology.
The convenience and accessibility of digital payments are becoming increasingly attractive to consumers, which is driving the adoption of embedded finance and reshaping the financial services industry.
Benefits of Embedded Finance
- Competitive advantage and customer confidence
- higher order value
- Easier customer acquisition.
- Better customer experience
- Collection of relevant data
03- Buy Now Pay Later
The BNPL market is expected to top USD 576 billion by 2024, driven by the increasing popularity of online shopping and the demand for convenience. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is a short-term financing option that allows you to defer payment for products or services until a later date. Unlike traditional financing, BNPL often comes with no interest, making it an attractive option for many.
With point-of-sale installment loans, customers make a partial payment at the time of purchase and pay the remaining balance later. Industry insiders predict an increase in the popularity of BNPL for financial transactions in 2024, and the big players in the fintech world are already joining this trend.
The financial industry has the potential to be shaken up by BNPL. For consumers, it’s a great alternative to borrowing from traditional banks that can have sky-high interest rates or strict approval standards. Attracting customers who want the option to pay later or in multiple installments, could result in increased sales for merchants.
BNPL is offered by over 150 providers worldwide, but in virtually every country, it is not fully regulated or protected. Now, in 2024, it is expected that regulation of the BNPL sector will be applied in the UK, which will affect enabling this payment option at checkout.
In the future, we’ll undoubtedly see further growth from BNPL – but the key focus in 2024will be on staying on the right side of regulators and providing consumers with a fair and transparent product.
Benefits of BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later)
- Easy payment structure
- It is accessible to a wide range of customers.
- It can help you attract new customers.
- Encourages customers to buy higher-value goods.
- Interest-Free Terms
- An alternative to a credit card
04- Open Banking
Open banking is a digital payment trend that is changing the way we manage our finances. It is a system that allows third-party providers to access financial information from banks and other financial institutions, with the user’s consent. This information includes account balances, transaction history, and other financial data.
One of the key benefits of open banking is increased competition, as it allows fintech companies to offer new and innovative financial services to customers. These services can range from budgeting tools to personalized investment advice and insurance products. We at Quytech, a leading finance app development company state that Open banking enables customers to compare financial products and services more easily, allowing them to make more informed decisions.
Another advantage of open banking is the ability to make fast and secure payments. It allows users to initiate payments directly from their bank accounts, without the need for a third-party payment service provider. This reduces transaction costs and makes payments more efficient.
Open banking also promotes greater transparency and control over personal financial data. Users have the power to decide which third-party providers they wish to share their data with and can revoke access at any time. This provides a greater level of security and privacy than traditional banking models.
Overall, open banking is a digital payment trend that has the potential to transform the way we manage our finances. It offers a range of benefits, including increased competition, faster and more secure payments, and greater transparency and control over personal financial data. As more financial institutions and fintech companies embrace open banking, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of our digital lives.
Benefits of Open Banking
- Higher Conversion Rates
- Personalization
- Secure digital payment trend
- Reduced service costs
- Centralized information
- Better customer engagement
05- Voice Payments – “Hey Siri – Pay My Bill”
Voice payments, also known as voice-activated payments, are the digital payment trend that is rapidly gaining traction among consumers. This technology allows users to make transactions using their voice, without the need for a physical device, such as a debit or a credit card. Instead, users can use their voice-activated assistants, such as Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, to make payments.
One of the biggest advantages of voice payments is convenience. It eliminates the need for users to carry cash or credit and debit cards. Voice payments are also quicker and more seamless than traditional payment methods, as users can simply speak the amount they wish to pay and confirm the transaction with their voice.
Voice payments also offer enhanced security, as they use biometric authentication, such as voice recognition or fingerprint scanning, to verify the user’s identity. This makes it harder for fraudsters to access sensitive financial information.
Moreover, voice payments have the potential to revolutionize the way we shop, as they allow for a more personalized and frictionless shopping experience. Retailers can use voice payments to create targeted offers and promotions for individual users, based on their past purchasing behavior and preferences.
Overall, the rise of voice payments represents a significant shift in the digital payment landscape. As more users adopt this technology, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of our daily lives, offering a fast, secure, and convenient way to make transactions.
Benefits of Voice Payments
- More mobile banking
- Ease of use
- Attractive new technology
- Fraud reduction
Now, we have understood the latest digital payment trends to watch out for in 2024. It’s high time to know about the top digital payment apps. So, let’s proceed to the upcoming sections and understand them in-depth.
Digital Payment Trends Elevating Ecosystems of Various Industries
Top Payment Apps Ruling the Market in 2024
Here, we will disclose the top mobile payment apps and NFC systems that are ruling the market in 2024
. Let’s take a quick glimpse.
#1- Apple Pay
Apple likes to make the complex simple and easy for everyone to do, and its mobile payment offering, Apple Pay, is true to that philosophy. There is no app to download, it works on iPhone and can be used for online shopping on Mac.
The user provides the credit card information to his Apple account. The iPhone is then used for purchase via a contactless payment method at a retail location and is considered more secure as the user must verify identity via Touch ID or Face ID sensor.
Users can also easily send cash to each other through an iMessage, or simply by asking Siri, the digital assistant. When you receive the cash, it goes into your Apple Pay Cash balance, which can then be transferred to your bank account.
Apple Pay is accepted at about half of all US retailers, including popular Starbucks, Walgreens, and Best Buy retailers, among many others. If you are planning to develop an app similar to Apple Pay, then you should connect with a leading mobile app development company for the same.
#2- Cash App
Cash App is another payment app option that you can use to send and receive money. Users can send a payment by entering a cashtag, a phone number, or by scanning a QR code. Sending money is free unless you are using a credit card, in which case you will be charged. Cash App is a bit different from other best payment apps on our list because it also allows users to buy, sell, and withdraw Bitcoin, as well as buy and sell stocks.
You can also request a free Cash Card, a customizable debit card that can be used to make payments online and in-store. This card also gives users access to discounts from select retailers. Cash App can also be used as a banking app. Up to two days in advance, you can get your paycheck, tax returns, and other direct deposits.
#3- PayPal
Due to its popularity, PayPal can be said to be one of the best and most well-known payment apps available. You can quickly pay someone by entering their phone number, and email address, or using PayPal.Me link they send you. You can also get paid for the items you sell. QR codes offer contactless payment options that customers use to pay you. You can also make money requests through PayPal.
Money is sent directly to a user’s PayPal account. They can then transfer the money instantly to a debit card for a small fee, or they can transfer the funds to their bank account for free.
Bank account transfers can take as little as one day but can take up to five days for some users. PayPal is more than a payments app – it also has a credit card, debit card, and prepaid card that users can apply for. If you open a PayPal Cash Plus account, you can set up a direct deposit and mobile check cashing.
#4- Venmo
Venmo works through a mobile app on your smartphone, and if you prefer, you can sign up with your Facebook account. Next, link your bank account or credit card. You can then use the app to send or receive money from other Venmo users, or you can send money via a phone number or email, as the app can access your Facebook or phone contacts, and if as a recipient you are not currently on Venmo, you are prompted to create an account.
Concluding Thoughts
It is a challenge to make predictions about the coming year. However, 2024 is undoubtedly an important year for the financial industry due to the myriad of regulations, technological advances, and digital payment trends.
As more and more companies begin to think of themselves as fintech, and fintech continues to eat away at traditional commerce, their leaders must recognize that financial innovation can only move at the speed of regulation.
Thus, it is the best time to look to the experts at Quytech for a smart solution to your business. Get in touch with our experts, and share your thoughts to get a free consultation on the same. We will be happy to serve our best services.
