Our inaugural study evaluates 49 BNPL features based on customer demand, according to results of a survey of US BNPL users.

We expect buy now, pay later (BNPL) users and payment value to continue growing in the coming years, despite a perfect storm of rising investor and regulatory scrutiny, increasing competition, and worsening economic conditions.

By 2026, 38.9% of US internet users will use a BNPL solution, up from 30.7% in 2022. And the average user will spend $1,371 via BNPL, up more than 43% from 2022.

Affirm can maintain its market lead by working with the country’s largest etailer, and Amazon can use a growing payment method to avoid bleeding customers to rivals.

Affiliate marketing is getting a fresh look from advertisers that want to boost ecommerce businesses and create more direct digital connections with customers.

The surge in consumer time and money spent online because of the pandemic led to a significant boom in the affiliate marketing ecosystem.

The launch highlights Bread’s post-rebrand growth strategy, and diversified offerings should help Bread compete in the shaky BNPL market.

A new set of digital winners is emerging amid the market turmoil of 2022. Using our forecasts, we showcase how ecommerce, social media, fintech, and more are being transformed.

PayPal is rethinking its growth strategy amidst market turmoil and slower-than-anticipated growth. All eyes are on the original fintech and payments powerhouse as it moves in a new direction; its strength in the market affects every part of the payments value chain.

With UK proximity mobile and peer-to-peer payments stagnating, providers in the market will be forced to focus on ways to resolve pain points, engage top user demographics, and facilitate growth around the margins.

Affirm’s gross merchandise volume grew 77% YoY in Q4. It plans to launch new products and features to boost volume and engagement.

Square sellers in the UK can now offer Clearpay online and in-store—building on the Afterpay rollout in the US and Australia.

The FCA warned BNPL firms over “misleading adverts” and threatened breachers with criminal action.

Hot inflation and a tougher climate for startups is giving BNPL firms a new opportunity with new risks.

Affirm and Splitit struck partnerships to shore up growth as market uncertainty takes a toll on the BNPL sector.

Max Levchin said the company’s underwriting process and business model would help it withstand a financial downturn.

The card network is said to have started automatically enrolling merchants in its BNPL program. But some providers have financial concerns and have opted out.

Nearly a third of Gen Z consumers will prefer to use apps for online payments in five years, according to Logica.