Global Payments Report | 2026 Trends Point to Major Shift in Commerce
Edited By
Marcus Thompson
Recent findings in the 2026 Commerce and Payment Trends Report highlight a significant change in the landscape of payments and commerce, driven by technology and evolving consumer behavior. With a survey of 600 decision-makers in July and August 2025, the report unveils six key trends reshaping how transactions are conducted.
The Rise of Agentic Commerce
This report emphasizes agentic commerce, a concept where AI shopping agents transition from merely suggesting products to making actual purchases. It found that 15% of businesses are "very familiar" with this concept, with an additional 72% being "somewhat familiar." As these AI agents gain ground, they are expected to influence purchasing decisions significantly.
"AI may increasingly decide what to buy, when to buy, and how to complete payment," the report notes.
POS Everywhere: Mobile Transactions Take Over
Another notable trend is the movement of payments away from fixed checkout counters to more versatile mobile devices. Over 85% of midsized retailers now utilize mobile POS solutions. This adaptability enables payment acceptance in venues like healthcare, campuses, and transportation, reflecting a push toward convenience.
Embedded Finance: A Game Changer
Embedded finance is becoming a standard, integrating financial services directly into commerce operations. AI plays a role in enhancing credit assessments and fraud detection, leading to personalized offers. Respondents predict a shift towards real-time fraud detection and immediate credit decisions integrated seamlessly into purchase experiences.
Instant Payments: Speed Over Everything
Instant payments hold a strong presence in both consumer purchases and refunds, comprising 72% of common use cases. Businesses are driven by the need for lower costs and faster cash flows, especially small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Stablecoins: Bridging Crypto and Mainstream
Key insights into stablecoins reveal their potential integration into mainstream business practices. These digital currencies are viewed favorably for cross-border payments and lowering transaction fees, with 73% of enterprises expressing interest in stablecoin solutions. They provide various benefits, including automation and transparency.
Self-Service Payments on the Rise
Self-service options are becoming more prevalent in various environments, enhancing customer convenience and operational performance. Smart prompts can increase transaction sizes and gather valuable operational data, illustrating their dual benefit.
Implications for DLT and Hedera
The report's implications strongly favor public Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) infrastructures, such as Hedera. Their focus aligns with the need for low-cost, real-time transactions, enhancing their case for broader adoption. While stablecoin awareness grows, traditional payment processors and banks respond swiftly, creating competitive protocols without waiting for DLTs to define the future.
Key Points
🚀 Agentic commerce rises as AI begins to make purchasing decisions.
💳 Over 85% of midsize retailers utilize mobile POS solutions.
⚡ Instant payments gain traction in B2B and consumer transactions.
🪙 73% of enterprises consider stablecoins for cost reduction.
Curiously, while Hedera is not explicitly mentioned, the report's findings validate their positioning against evolving commerce and payment needs. The challenge remains: who will capture the value in this dynamic ecosystem?
Shifting Landscapes Ahead
Looking to the future, there's a strong chance we'll see a rapid integration of agentic commerce and mobile payments into everyday transactions. Industry experts estimate that by 2028, nearly 50% of all retail purchases could involve AI decision-making tools, enhancing efficiency in consumer engagement. In addition, as digital currencies like stablecoins gain traction, increasing numbers of businesses may adopt them in their payment solutions, potentially reducing transaction costs by up to 30%. This swift transition indicates a broader shift in commerce where speed and convenience become paramount, leading to new standards in customer experience and operational efficiency.
A Lesson from the Era of Credit Cards
Reflecting on the swift advancement of payment technologies brings to mind the credit card revolution of the 1960s, which transformed how people spent money. Just as credit cards replaced cash transactions while adding convenience, current trends suggest a similar shift toward seamless, technology-driven payments. The acceptance of credit cards faced initial skepticism but quickly became the norm, prompting retailers to adapt. Today’s move toward mobile payments and AI-driven transactions shares that same spirit of transformation, suggesting this evolution will not just be accepted but may well define a new era in commerce.