n a recent analysis Vicki Hyman, Director of Global Communications at Mastercard, examines how the convergence of AI advances, cryptocurrency growth, and infrastructure development is creating more personalized, predictive, and interoperable payment experiences.
1. Securing Agentic Commerce
AI-powered agents managing transactions on behalf of consumers and businesses will expand in 2026, alongside critical guardrails. The industry is focused on identifying legitimate agents, strengthening authentication, reducing fraud, and capturing intent when AI transactions fail. Automation can streamline commerce, but trust cannot be automated.
2. Connecting Crypto to Fiat Commerce
Regulatory clarity in the U.S. and Europe over stablecoins has created confidence for commercialization. Greater collaboration between ecosystem players will make it easier and safer to pay with stablecoins, from facilitating payouts to enabling on-chain purchases to streamlining cross-border settlement.
3. Doubling Down on Digital Identity
Mastercard research found 80% of global consumers faced scam attempts in the past year. More robust identity verification tools will be essential, including digital identity wallets easing access to financial and government services, verified aliases for crypto transactions eliminating complex addresses, and expanded digital ID services in developing markets to accelerate financial inclusion.
4. Redefining Consumption for the Circular Age
Led by Gen Z, consumers are embracing circular economy models prioritizing reuse, resale, and repair. Regenerative payment loops enable sustainable choices through micro-transactions and peer-to-peer payments for refill models, take-back programs, and deposit-return systems for reusable items, creating benefits for both consumers and retailers.
5. Personalizing Payments, Benefits, and Risk
Dynamic tools and platforms will be customized for individual spending behaviors and financial goals, including payment credentials with user-set rules for credit versus debit use. Harnessing insights from billions of transactions, providers will deliver personalized content and tailored offers. Small businesses and thin-credit-file applicants will benefit as lenders access deeper insights through advanced analytics and permissioned open finance data.
6. Enabling the Instant Economy for Everyone, Everywhere
Biometric solutions will make in-store checkout more seamless, while one-click online checkout approaches reality by 2030 through global tokenization acceleration. Real-time payment processing technology continues rolling out, freeing capital for businesses. With cross-border payments expected to exceed $250 trillion by 2027, innovations include alias-based remittances and fast, transparent cross-border capabilities enabling small businesses to reach global markets.