Blockchain is attracting enormous interest on the back of surging cryptocurrency valuations and increasingly high-profile payment integrations. But as a real payment currency, blockchain-based cryptocurrency still must overcome many hurdles before it can truly disrupt the space.

After the coronavirus pandemic forced issuers to adapt rewards, enhance forbearance, and build out digital tools to cope with a volume hit in 2020, they’re looking to reimagine their offerings in the future to add new customers and regain primary card status.

Why retailers may want to double-check customers’ debit cards

Consumers’ growing willingness to get their financial services from non-FI providers is spurring consumer brands to embed financial elements in their products and services. But this new form of finance will mean dramatic changes for incumbent and startup FIs.

Buy now, pay later solutions are quickly gaining adoption as consumers look for new financing options and merchants aim to drive sales. But the industry is still unsettled as a number of firms are battling to lead the space, while card networks and issuers are looking to get involved too.

Our first forecast for peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payments users in Canada shows a still-developing market with plenty of room to grow. This year, 19.7% of the country's population (or 6.0 million people) will be P2P mobile payment users. But that significantly trails the US market, where 30.6% of the population uses P2P payments.

As with video viewing, digital technology has taken a large role in teens’ shopping without altogether replacing older methods. We estimate that 61.8% of 14- to 17-year-olds in the US will be digital buyers next year. Though substantial, that’s lower than the penetration rates of all other age groups younger than 65.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments are increasing significantly in the US, driven by tremendous growth from Venmo and Zelle. eMarketer’s latest estimates show that P2P mobile transactions will total $309.95 billion this year, growing 27.9% to hit $396.48 billion in 2020.

Less than 13% of smartphone users in Germany will use proximity mobile payments this year—one of the lowest rates in Europe. User numbers will increase slowly, but privacy concerns and the popularity of cash and card payments will curtail adoption.

This report features our latest forecasts for proximity mobile payment users in Latin America, with breakouts for Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. It also examines emerging trends and key drivers fueling regional market movements.

Growth in proximity mobile payment use in the UK remains slow but steady. Against a strong headwind of contactless card use, mobile payments have struggled to take hold, though young consumer use offers a glimmer of hope.

This report provides a regional and country-by-country analysis for retail ecommerce and mcommerce sales in Latin America, with breakouts for Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. It also examines emerging trends and key drivers fueling regional market movements.

Mobile payments have been thought to be on the cusp of widespread adoption for several years now. But most consumers have responded to the technology with a noncommittal shrug.

This year, there will be 82.5 million mobile phone P2P payment users in the US, according to eMarketer estimates.

Based on consumer surveys, the holiday season is shaping up to be more mobile-driven and social media-influenced than in years past. According to PwC, the 2018 holiday shopping period is on track to be one of the strongest since 2005.

Regional and country-by-country figures for retail sales, retail ecommerce sales, retail mcommerce sales and digital buyers in Latin America, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico—in addition to demographics, barriers to ecommerce, as well as leading websites and mobile apps.

Three regional executives from eBay, OLX and PayPal discuss ecommerce trends in the region and how their companies found early success in the market.

The share of consumers using mobile devices for retail purchases is lower in France and Germany than in several other nations in Western Europe. Yet together, the two countries will account for over $45 billion in mobile sales in 2018.

UK consumers tend to be digital leaders. Not so when it comes to digital banking and payments, though, with steady if unspectacular uptake positioning the UK as a middling market for such habits. Trust and security concerns are the main inhibitors.