eCommerce Payment Trends: Early Predictions for 2025

Worldwide eCommerce sales are projected to reach $8.1 trillion by the end of 2026! Let that sink in for a moment.

Part of this huge increase is due to the convenience of digital payments – customers don’t have to go to the store anymore to purchase whatever they want. They can do it by clicking a few buttons, and then wait for their package to arrive.

But even those who prefer shopping in physical stores have changed their habits in the post-pandemic era that we live in.

Today, thanks to experts and industry analysis, we’ll be zooming in on the latest developments and eCommerce payment trends and transactions for 2025.

eCommerce Payment Trends: Early Predictions for 2025

1. Digital Wallets and Contactless Payments Will Keep Growing
2. BNPL Services Will Continue to Attract More Customers
3. Crypto Transactions and CBDCs Will Increase
4. More AI for Enhanced Payment Security
5. Wider Adoption of Biometric Payments
6. Subscription-Based Payment Models Will Grow in Popularity

1. Digital Wallets and Contactless Payments Will Keep Growing

The growth of mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Wallet) usage will continue in 2025. As Michael Kim, Head of Digital Payments at Visa, says: 

“Consumers are gravitating towards mobile payments because they offer a seamless and frictionless experience. The ability to make quick payments without the need to carry physical cards or cash is a significant advantage.”

Consumers are beginning to prefer contactless mobile purchases, due to the speed and ease of payment, especially in retail and public transportation.

Take Starbucks, for example, they have a mobile app that now lets people order and pay in advance. This makes up almost 25% of all their transactions. 

Other companies like Uber and Lyft are also taking advantage of the in-app payment demand, offering their own embedded payment solutions.

Another factor that contributes to the rise of such payments is the increased trust people have in them.

According to the CEO of FinTech Innovations, John Smith: 

“Trust in mobile payment technology is at an all-time high. Consumers are increasingly confident in the safety of their transactions, thanks to continuous advancements in security protocols.”

2. BNPL Services Will Continue to Attract More Customers

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have become the best way to attract customers. These services, aside from being particularly appealing, and have high adoption rates among Millennials and Gen Z.

The global BNPL market is forecasted to rise considerably between 2024 and 2032, hitting $67.58 billion by 2032.

Nowadays, more and more young people prefer BNPL payments, and 62% of current BNPL users think it can replace credit card payments altogether.

What is more, by 2026, buy now, pay later transactions are expected to account for around 24% of all eCommerce transactions. This only comes to show how much of a win-win BNPL services are for both brands and customers.

3. Crypto Transactions and CBDCs Will Increase

As of 2024, more than 27 million merchants globally have accepted cryptocurrencies, which is a significant increase from previous years. Furthermore, in the US, over 85% of merchants view enabling crypto payments as a high priority.

Perhaps, this is due to the fact that customers who use cryptocurrencies generally spend around $250 more on transactions, compared to the average customer.

In fact, when it comes to eCommerce payment trends – a lot of major corporations, such as Shopify, PayPal, and WooCommerce, are already accepting crypto transactions. 

Similarly, CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) have gained a lot of attention recently,  as governments and financial institutions explore the possibility of allowing them as a form of online payment.

Unlike cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are centralized and regulated by the government, similar to traditional money. Thus, making it feel somewhat safer to those unfamiliar with digital currencies.

CBDCs can also greatly reduce the time it takes, sometimes from days to mere seconds, to finalize transactions. They also can lower payment and transaction charges by eliminating intermediaries such as banks and credit card companies.

As Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) puts it:

“CBDCs have the potential to revolutionize the payment landscape by offering real-time settlement capabilities that are far more efficient than current systems, fostering smoother cross-border transactions.”

All this makes CBDCs a very attractive option for both businesses and consumers.

4. More AI for Enhanced Payment Security

In 2024, the digital payments industry  adopted artificial intelligence in various departments. This will continue in 2025, especially with AI being utilized to deliver personalized payment experiences through machine learning, and to reduce fraudulent transactions.

With the expected growth of global eCommerce sales, it is only natural that more opportunities for scammers have arisen as well.

Therefore, the eCommerce and financial industries, in particular, have become increasingly reliant on AI and machine learning to detect, prevent, and combat fraud effectively.

As fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated thanks to the use of advanced technologies to bypass the traditional security measures, AI will surely become a necessity to battle criminals and stay ahead of potential risks.

Patricia Robinson, Head of Data Science at FinSafe:

“AI and ML have transformed the way we approach fraud detection. By continuously learning from new data, these systems can predict and prevent fraudulent actions before they cause harm, providing a proactive approach to fraud management.”

In terms of better customer experience, AI and ML are also quite beneficial, as they can use customer behavior analysis to provide personalized payment solutions.

5. Wider Adoption of Biometric Payments

Biometric protection is gaining popularity as an authentication system for transactions. Instead of the traditional PIN that is used to verify the identity of the cardholder, biometric authentication uses voice recognition, fingerprints, or facial scanning.

It definitely adds an extra layer of security to transactions, and the upcoming payment trends are for it to be adopted widely very soon. 

According to a report by Juniper Research, the future of electronic payments will be tied to biometric authentication, which will most likely replace previous banking security systems.

30% of respondents to a PwC survey expect the introduction of new authentication technologies, such as biometrics, within the next five years.

6. Subscription-Based Payment Models Will Grow in Popularity

Subscription-based payment models are already quite popular in sectors such as media (Netflix), eCommerce (Amazon Prime), software (Adobe), and automotive (Tesla).

The subscription economy is clearly taking over, but not without the help of its biggest supports – Millennials and Gen Z. In fact, 92% of young Americans have active subscriptions – add the fact that global subscription economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, and you can clearly see that subscriptions are the future of payment.

It’s worth noting that this model is also very positive for businesses, as it provides reliable and consistent revenue streams, and helps build lasting relationships with customers.

As Tien Tzuo, CEO of Zuora, says:

“The subscription economy is not just a payment model; it’s a business transformation strategy. Companies are shifting from selling products to building ongoing customer relationships, which requires a fundamental change in how they operate.”

The consumer payment trends in 2025, related to subscription-based models, are:

• Hyper-Personalization with AI and ML. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a key role in providing personalized subscription offers to customers. By analyzing user preferences and behavior, these tools can tailor subscription plans accordingly.
• Flexible Pricing. An expected trend is for customers to demand more and more flexibility and options when choosing their subscription plan. With customizable packages, users will be able to pick services and features that suit their needs, as currently seen in Amazon Prime’s tier and membership selection.
• New Sectors Embracing the Model. It is anticipated that a number of newer sectors will embrace the subscription model. This includes automotive, healthcare and wellness, and B2B.
• Sustainable and Ethical Services. Consumers are constantly looking for more eco-friendly and ethical subscription-based services, which may affect their buying decisions. Subscriptions for organic foods, zero waste products, and sustainable fashion will only continue to grow in 2025 as part of the predictable eCommerce payment trends.

Electronic Transfer: Proud History and Modern Solutions

At Electronic Transfer, we are proud of our 30+ history, dating back to 1989 where we successfully helped more than 50,000 merchants with their credit card processing. However, we are also aware that we must keep up with times, trends included.

This is why our solutions are all centered around the latest technologies and industry innovations. Whether you are an eCommerce business in need of assistance, or operating in a high risk industry, we’ve got you covered.

It’s very easy to get started. Call us during business hours (800-757-5453) or leave a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Before we wrap-up today’s article, we hope you’ve found our informative insights on the future of eCommerce payment trends to be not only interesting but useful as well. You can also follow our blog for more interesting information and industry updates.