More of these tie-ups will spring up to allow issuers to better compete with BNPL providers’ buy buttons given their prominent placement on ecommerce sites. This may also trigger a wave of tie-ups with third-party players like Jifiti, which helps banks bring BNPL offerings to their merchant partners, and could ultimately enable issuers to create a network that counters digital BNPL upstarts’.

Innovative payment options, like buy now, pay later, are also important in overcoming the relatively low spending power in emerging economies. Also, companies should collaborate with online and offline influencers, who are able to inspire and sway opinion. More affordable broadband subscriptions can catalyze internet adoption in the region.

Apple is reportedly considering a buy now, pay later (BNPL) program that would be tied to the Apple Wallet. There were also rumors Apple was weighing a cryptocurrency payments integration.

Making money through ads has gotten harder, so many developers will place bets that consumers are ready to sign up for even more subscriptions and to buy things directly through their apps.

Nearly 40% of US consumers used buy now, pay later (BNPL), up from 37% in 2020. What this means: Consumers had a greater risk appetite for spending compared with the previous holiday season.

And in December, it opened an inquiry into major buy now, pay later firms to determine the financial risks and benefits these offerings provide. Related content: Check out the “Credit Cards in the ‘Next Normal’” report to learn about the strategies credit card companies are adopting to boost growth.