The future of payments, halfway through 2025

Halfway through 2025 and the payments industry has been more dynamic than ever. 

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While payments remain a cornerstone of business, the fact remains that it is always changing thanks to evolving consumer preferences, emerging technologies, and even socioeconomic factors.  For businesses, changes in the payments landscape could reflect new trends in how consumers pay, how businesses interact with them, and so much more. 

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Below are some key insights and emerging patterns in payments from the first half of the year. 
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Loyalty programs aren’t just for credit holders anymore

Credit cards have historically been known for the plethora of perks they offer with every swipe. However, in countries like the Philippines, where there are still many unbanked, this leaves a huge chunk of the population to go unrecognized. 

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The same is true even for those who simply prefer using debit over credit. According to financial news platform PYMNTS, debit has recently seen a resurgence among users as a primary payment method—prompting businesses to study how to engage debit-first audiences with tailored rewards. Evolving technology, such as real-time processing, scalable APIs and embedded finance platforms, have made doing exactly this much easier.

The takeaway? Rewarding customers shouldn't be limited to credit card holders. Businesses have the opportunity—and the tools—to create inclusive, engaging experiences for a broader range of payment preferences.
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AI is beefing up security

While generative AI has increased fraud risks (creating everything from fake profiles to receipts), the flip side is that it’s also made fraud detection more efficient.

Unlike traditional systems, AI can analyze massive amounts of data in milliseconds and quickly spot unusual patterns. Many major financial institutions now use AI-driven tools that catch fraud with 91% accuracy, much higher than the 65%–70% rates of older, rules-based systems. Meanwhile, biometric logins like fingerprint, face ID, and passkeys help handle security in the background, keeping things seamless for users.
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BNPL is here to stay

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services have been acknolwedged as among the biggest tech trends transforming payments locally. In fact, about 1 in 4 Filipino consumers recently reported having used BNPL services at least once, according to UnaCash via Asian Banking & Finance.

BNPL is also changing how people shop. In the Philippines, many shoppers begin their buying journey on BNPL platforms, browsing for items they can afford through installment plans. This makes flexible payments a key part of both discovery and checkout.

‍Whether it’s getting closer to customers or helping them easily transact with e-wallets, eTap Solutions’ kiosks help businesses stay on top of the latest payment trends. They serve as convenient touchpoints that meet users where they are—whether in grocery stores, pharmacies, or any other type of partner retail space.

Interested in placing an eTap kiosk right in your store? Reach out to the official eTap Solutions LinkedIn page or message Joe at joe@etapinc.com!

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Article by Pancho Dizon

Graphic by Justin Khyle Calleja

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