TikTok’s next challenge is convincing its users that the platform is safe for payments.

PayPal’s fusion with Stripe could reorder the landscape of crypto, BNPL, agentic commerce and digital wallets.

Last November, we identified 11 trends we expected to shape the business landscape in 2026. Our Trends 2026 update reveals where expectations are holding, where surprises have emerged, and what businesses should watch through year-end.

Issuer FMNs have an opportunity to turn data insights into more personalized rewards.

Pushing deeper into local commerce could help EWS fend off rivals like Venmo.

Broader international acceptance makes its app a one-stop shop for checkout.

AI recommendations are reshaping financial services discovery. In this industry’s inaugural report, we track ChatGPT brand visibility in Q2 2026, the sources informing recommendations, and what it takes to stay competitive.

Strong growth across Venmo, BNPL, and Braintree bolstered PayPal’s strong performance.

Parents want one app for deals, payments, and installments, giving its FMN another reason to attract marketers.

Agentic commerce is reorganizing retail around five ecosystem layers. As AI agents gain influence, retailers and brands must decide where to compete, where to partner, and who controls the customer relationship.

Nearly half of US digital shoppers (47.1%) have not used AI to shop and aren't interested, according to an April 2026 survey from Bizrate Insights and EMARKETER.

A successful takeover could reorder the balance of power for digital wallets and agentic commerce.

AI, sports partnerships, BNPL, Gen Alpha, and digital asset infrastructure will be top of mind for payment providers in H2 2026.

Financial media networks are growing fast, but they face a fundamental weakness: Consumers bank everywhere and shop elsewhere. Closing that gap will determine whether they become major media players or niche data providers.

The launch of Visa Destinations beefs up travel rewards that nets younger consumers’ loyalty

Financial media networks’ transaction data across tens of millions of merchants and retailers gives advertisers a fresh angle when planning and measuring campaigns. This is a crucial value proposition made by PayPal Ads to advertisers looking to convert customers and compare allocations between various retail media networks.

Limited merchant acceptance will stymie the wallet’s attempts to expand.

In May 2026, we analyzed 5,600 ChatGPT responses across nine financial services categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

It could help the firm move on from past issues.