2026 payments predictions: from key areas of AI transformation, to regional adoption of borderless payments. 

By Ane Unamuno (Senior Manager) 

 At the end of last year, I was asked for my 2026 payments predictions and in this article I share my thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and we can chat. 

💬 “Which areas of payments could AI transform most, and where might it not have as much of an impact as expected?” 

Agentic AI became a major talking point in 2025, but I think 2026 is when we’ll start seeing practical, everyday use in payments. The biggest impact will likely be in online shopping, where AI can make product discovery easier, speed up checkout, and simplify payments.

By analysing consumer behaviour and preferences, AI can offer personalised recommendations, anticipate needs, and even automate parts of the buying process, making e-commerce feel more seamless and engaging.

I think that change will be slower when it comes to in-store payments and high-value transactions. These areas tend to prioritise stability and human control over rapid innovation. People are cautious with their money, so trust and familiarity are essential for adoption. That means AI-powered experiences in physical retail and for large transactions will likely be introduced gradually, giving people time to adjust and feel confident.

💬 “How might AI influence the way businesses manage and optimise their payments processes?” 

In 2026, we’ll start to see AI gradually helping businesses manage and optimise their payment processes, though adoption will remain gradual.

Most companies are cautious with their financial operations, prioritising compliance, regulatory requirements, and a clear ROI. This means that while AI’s potential is significant, meaningful change won’t happen overnight.

That said, AI could have a major impact on several areas. Tasks that used to take up hours of back-office work like processing invoices, reconciling accounts, or approving payments, could be handled automatically, giving people more time to focus on work that really matters. AI can also help spot unusual patterns in payments in real time, strengthening fraud detection and risk management at a time when these threats are growing more sophisticated. On top of that, AI can give insights that help businesses better manage cash flow, anticipate payment behaviours, and improve relationships with suppliers and customers by highlighting delays or bottlenecks before they become problems.

It might take a while for AI to become fully embedded in everyday payments operations, but I think it has the power to make them faster, smarter, and less stressful, helping businesses make better decisions and run more smoothly.

💬 “Which innovations could meaningfully strengthen customer trust in digital payments?”

In 2026, the innovations that will strengthen customer trust in digital payments are those that make transactions secure, simple, and transparent.

Biometrics and multi-factor authentication can give customers confidence, as long as they don’t slow the process. Security is important, but convenience is just as critical, getting that balance right is key for payment providers.

I also expect features like real-time transaction notifications and visibility tools to become much more common. When customers can see payments as they happen and understand what’s happening with their money, they feel more in control, which will increasingly influence adoption.

In short, I think the most meaningful innovations in 2026 won’t just be the most advanced, they’ll be the ones that make payments feel effortless, secure, and transparent, giving customers confidence every time they pay. The future of payments isn’t just about technology, it’s about creating experiences that people actually trust and enjoy.

💬 “Will AI and machine learning improve authentication, or complicate trust frameworks?” 

In my view, AI and machine learning have the potential to streamline authentication rather than complicate it, but it will depend on how it’s done. Smart systems can spot unusual patterns and stop fraud in real time, making payments safer without adding unnecessary friction. That’s the kind of security that builds trust with customers.

At the same time, I know complexity can be a real risk. People will only feel confident if AI-driven authentication is transparent, reliable, and easy to understand. Systems that generate false alarms or operate in ways that aren’t clear can undermine trust, even if they are technically sophisticated.

For me, the key is that the most effective authentication solutions will balance security with simplicity. In 2026, success will come to those that make verifying payments feel effortless, reliable, and trustworthy, rather than just technically advanced. 

💬 “How will customer expectations for speed, cost, and convenience reshape cross-border payments?” 

I think in 2026, customer expectations around speed, cost, and convenience will continue to reshape cross-border payments. People are no longer willing to tolerate slow transfers, hidden fees, or opaque processes, they want international payments that are fast, transparent, and seamless, whether they’re sending money for business, family, or e-commerce.

This will put pressure on banks, FinTechs, and payment providers to simplify processes, reduce costs, and explore real-time solutions. We’re already seeing signs of innovation with faster cross-border rails and better visibility, and I expect this trend to accelerate as customers increasingly demand frictionless experiences.

Crypto and stablecoins could play a role in lowering costs and speeding transfers. However, I expect adoption to remain gradual, given regulatory uncertainty, operational challenges, and the need for trust in these new assets.

Ultimately, the winners will be the providers who can deliver speed, transparency, and reliability, whether through traditional payment rails or carefully integrated digital assets. The providers that make cross-border payments feel effortless, predictable, and secure will be the ones customers rely on and return to in 2026.

💬 “Which markets or regions will lead in adoption of borderless payments?” 

I don’t believe borderless payments will be led by one single market. What we’re really seeing is momentum building in a few regions that are simply better set up to move quickly.

Europe is a good example. Its regulatory framework and long-term focus on cross-border interoperability have already done a lot of the heavy lifting. With the push toward SEPA instant payments and regional harmonisation, many of the essential building blocks are already in place.

Parts of Asia, especially Southeast Asia, are equally well-positioned. These are mobile-first markets where real-time payments are already part of the everyday life. Taking that experience across borders isn’t a big shift, it’s just the obvious next step.

Beyond that, I also expect emerging markets with high remittance needs to move faster. When the pain point is real, the push for simpler and more efficient cross-border solutions becomes much stronger.

In the end, leadership won't just come down to who has the best tech. It will belong to the regions where real-time infrastructure, regulatory support, and real customer demand line up.

💬 “How might improvements in transparency, FX handling, and settlement speed change how businesses manage cross-border commercial payments?”

In my experience, cross-border payments are a still a key pain point for businesses. Slow settlement, high costs, and limited visibility continue to create challenges for cash flow and operational efficiency. I think in 2026, improvements in transparency, FX management, and settlement speed will start to make a real difference in how companies handle international payments.

Payment providers are aware of these challenges and are actively delivering solutions to tackle them, ranging from enhanced visibility and reporting tools to faster settlement, real-time rails, and card-based solutions for cross-border transactions. These solutions help businesses plan cash flow more accurately, reduce unexpected costs, and operate more efficiently, especially across global supply chains.

Faster, more transparent payments also make it easier for businesses to use digital tools that simplify workflows and cut down on manual work.

For me, the providers that can offer reliable, efficient, and transparent cross-border payment solutions, whether through traditional rails, real-time payments, or card solutions, will have a real advantage in 2026. Those that make payments simple, dependable, and easy to manage will be the ones businesses trust and return to.

💬 “How might improvements in cross-border infrastructure change how businesses handle international payments?”

In 2026, I think improvements in cross-border infrastructure will continue to change how businesses think about international payments. It won’t feel like a big transformation, it’ll just feel easier.

Finance teams will rely less on traditional bank transfers and more on payment methods that give them speed and certainty like real-time rails, integrated payment platforms and card solutions. The appeal won’t be about innovation for its own sake, it’ll be about knowing where money is, when it will arrive, and how much will actually land.

Multicurrency accounts will increasingly become a practical necessity for many businesses, especially those operating across regions. Being able to hold and pay out in local currencies will simplify cash flow, reduce FX surprises, and remove a lot of unnecessary admin.

By then challenger providers won’t feel like the riskier choice. For many businesses, they’ll be the obvious one, simply because they’re perceived as easier to work with and better integrated into modern finance stacks.

The biggest change will be in the small, everyday details. Fewer follow-ups, fewer workarounds, and less time spent explaining delays, just payments that move when they’re supposed to.

💡A bonus prediction to finish with...

As an avid traveller, I’ve noticed a real shift in how payments are handled in the travel industry, especially in hotels. They’re no longer just a way to settle the bill, they’re becoming a key part of the overall guest experience. By 2026, I think payments will play an even bigger role in how hotels engage with their guests.

Loyalty programs and direct bookings are increasingly central to hotel strategies, and payments are now a tool to strengthen those relationships rather than simply collect money. Online check-in and check-out are becoming increasingly common, and payments are often seamlessly integrated into the process. Guests can authorise charges, pay for upgrades, or add extras like spa treatments, dinners, or other experiences, all without ever standing in line or waiting for a front desk agent.

At the same time, multicurrency and instant payment options make it easier for international travellers to pay in the currency or method they prefer, while hotels benefit from faster, more predictable cash flow. Payments stop being a source of friction and start being a way to make the stay feel smoother, more personal, and more convenient.

For me, the most exciting part is that payments are quietly becoming part of the experience itself, not just something you do at the end of a stay, but a tool hotels can use to make travel feel effortless and rewarding.

Thanks to everybody who has liked, commented and messaged me on the back of these prediction when I posted them on LinkedIn. That’s it for now, but perhaps I’ll do the same next year!