Growing consumer adoption of AI tools is positioning AI platforms as an alternative shopping channel—but most AI-driven transactions are still completed on retailer websites.

The deal expands PayPal merchants’ reach across agentic platforms, tightening its grip on AI-driven discovery and checkout.

Supporting Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol signals a deeper bet on agentic commerce and AI-driven payments.

The move targets Gen Z and thin-file consumers who prefer debit and avoid revolving debt.

Trust in consumer banking varies widely in 2026. Primary banks still anchor core products. But confidence differs by generation, product, and channel, with honesty, transparency, and security shaping how consumers evaluate financial providers.

European users can now send money in-app as Klarna pushes into core banking territory.

New protocols aim to secure their role as default rails for bot-led shopping.

Opt-in discoverability could lock in younger, AI-curious shoppers early.

Sluggish fixed point-of-sale (POS) terminal sales are forcing providers to rethink their strategies. From adding softPOS capabilities to adding AI tools and vertical-specific offerings, POS software is becoming the real competitive battleground.

2025 saw mergers, layoffs, and AI overhauls as the agency model fractured and reformed.

BNPL is cementing itself as a go-to tool for shoppers looking to stretch their dollars.

Chase Sapphire Reserve will offer an exclusive FIFA World Cup ticket sale for cardholders in February 2026, per Chase. Offers connected to major events with deep fanbases can create valuable sign-up opportunities and positive brand associations for issuers. To maintain these new cardholders’ loyalty, issuers should consider integrating experiential rewards during the games—lounge opportunities, fast-pass check-in lanes, interactive pop-ups—to funnel users through multiple value-driven experiences over the duration of the tournament.

Artificial intelligence is working its way into every facet of the US economy, and the payments industry is no exception. While the changes to consumers’ payment behavior will be gradual, providers need to act now, according to our 2026 AI in the Payments Customer Life Cycle report. Providers need to overcome critical issues like data fragmentation, but a well executed AI strategy can help providers maintain control over product discovery and streamline checkout.

PayPal filed to form PayPal Bank with the FDIC and Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions should anticipate expanded interest-bearing offerings from PayPal Pay Later if its license is approved. And PayPal has a built-in advantage because its buy button and credit underwriting can all happen during the checkout process—whereas banks and credit unions have to rely on consumers applying for a loan well before they intend to complete a transaction. Credit unions should emphasize their competitive interest rates to consumers choosing between their loan products or a PayPal loan.

Generational splits shape how consumers find, research, and trust banks. Younger adults move through digital channels with ease, while older adults rely on branches, human support, and established institutions.

Affirm released a bevy of data regarding its user base and loans in a letter addressed to senators. Affirm’s data suggests a tiered system may be emerging in BNPL, where different providers are serving different slices of creditworthy customers. However, the income range of US adults seeking BNPL loans demonstrates widespread popularity of alternate credit, a key concern for issuers who risk losing credit card customers to these alternative loans. They need to address that risk with competitive, rewards-eligible card-linked installment loans.

PayPal will power stablecoin payouts for US creators on YouTube, per Fortune. US creators can receive PYUSD payments instead of direct deposit. While PayPal’s stablecoin payments are exclusive to US creators for now, the benefits of crypto are more likely to be felt by international creatives, who could be served by lower fees and faster transaction times facilitated. If US adoption is favorable, PayPal has a viable growth plan moving forward.

Affirm expanded its partnership with Shopify, bringing Shop Pay installments to the UK, per a press release. PayPal and Klarna’s deep entrenchment in the UK will make it difficult for other BNPL contenders to make advances. Powering Shop Pay installments could help Affirm accelerate its foray into the country thanks to Shopify’s established network of merchants and brand recognition.

In 2026, commerce media will shift toward the core mechanics of shopping, as retailers reorganize, stores become high-impact media showcases, agentic AI opens new monetization, and financial platforms move closer to shoppable environments.

In 2026, a new financial ecosystem will form around five trends—stablecoins, agentic AI, consolidation, financial media networks, and AI search—blurring boundaries between banking, technology, and commerce.