Digital payments: the major trends to follow in 2025 according to Piero Candela, EMEA general manager of Alipay+

Major trends are redefining the digital payments industry. In a constantly evolving market, they serve as a strategic roadmap for 2025. Helping businesses thrive by adapting to new consumer expectations. EMEA Managing Director of Alipay+, Piero Candela talks about it in a press note of which we received a copy. Let’s find out!

(Cio Mag) – Global tourism in full expansion. Digital wallets scaled globally. Cultural specificities to grasp. Omnichannel and alternative payments in e-commerce… As 2025 approaches, the digital payments sector is undergoing rapid transformation. This is driven by developments in global trade, technological advances such as AI, and consumer needs.

For Piero Candela, this dynamic context offers businesses significant opportunities to thrive. At the same time, they will have to demonstrate innovation and adaptability in the face of major challenges in the sector. According to him, here are the main trends to follow in 2025:

1. The expansion of European brands: a strategic opportunity

With the recovery of global tourism, European businesses have a unique opportunity to address a rapidly growing international customer base. Merchants Can Take Advantage of Growing Demand for Payment Solutions seamless cross-border integrating dynamic currency conversion and strategic local partnerships. As for brands, they must integrate innovations at each stage of the process. digitalized customer journeyparticularly that of travelers to guarantee a seamless experience, from shopping to cultural discovery.

2. The rise of digital wallets: a global lever

Adopted globally, digital (or electronic) wallets are accelerating the transition from cash and cards to mobile payments. This is particularly visible in emerging and unbanked markets, where these solutions facilitate access to financial and digital services. For tradersdigital wallets provide opportunities to strengthen customer engagement through personalized services and integrated marketing tools.

3. Cultural personalization and seasonal opportunities: a localized approach

For Piero Candela, peak tourist influxes represent an opportunity for SMEs and large brands. A localized approach will be to capture these seasonal peaks and align with cultural norms and consumer behaviors. This is essential for any company that wants to build customer loyalty and establish itself in the global market.

4. Omnichannel and alternative payments in e-commerce

If alternative payment methods dominate e-commerce, they are now extending to physical points of sale. For the EMEA general manager of Alipay+, this trend highlights the growing importance of omnichannel shopping experiences.

5. Technological innovations and sustainability in payments

Super-apps embody a major innovation in the world of mobile payment. Versatile, these platforms centralize a diversity of services (e-commerce, transport, etc.) to make life easier for users. Alongside great apps, other innovations are improving digital payment services. These include in particular theGenerative AI and machine learning. “These technologies are transforming payments through more intuitive solutions, enhanced fraud detection and tailored financial advice,” says Piero Candela. He also mentions the sustainability in payments, highlighting paperless transactions and tracking carbon emissions to reduce the ecological footprint of digital services.

6. Digital inclusion and integrated finance

Integrating payment solutions directly into the purchasing journey simplifies transactions and improves the customer experience. Overall, inclusive solutions enable small businesses to integrate into the digital economy, thereby boosting economic growth in developing regions.

A connected and sustainable future

Building on the above, Piero Candela asserts that companies able to adapt to these trends and innovate will enjoy sustainable growth. In addition, they will help build a more inclusive and connected global economy.