A few years ago, imagining a world without cash seemed like science fiction. However, today we are already used to paying with a simple tap on the phone or even imperceptibly, with transactions happening automatically in the background. In 2025, this transformation continues to accelerate, shaping new consumption habits and challenging companies to offer faster, safer, and more personalized experiences.
In Brazil, the impact of this evolution is evident. Pix, which quickly gained the favor of consumers, has established itself as the preferred payment method for online and in-person purchases. With the arrival of Automatic Pix, which allows recurring payments without the need for manual authorization, and International Pix, which promises to facilitate global transactions, convenience has never been so present in Brazilians' daily routines. This change not only accelerates consumption but also forces companies to rethink their strategies, ensuring they offer options compatible with this new reality.
At the same time, digital wallets are gaining even more space. With a simple gesture on the phone or even on wearable devices, consumers can make effortless payments. In addition to convenience, these wallets become true financial hubs, integrating services such as instant credit, cashback, and even investments. The shopping experience becomes more seamless, without the need to insert cards or fill out lengthy forms, eliminating barriers that previously led to cart abandonment.
Another determining factor for the future of payments is the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These resources not only optimize transaction security by identifying and preventing fraud in real time but also personalize the consumer's journey. It is already possible for a payment system to suggest the best way to complete a purchase based on the user's history, offering flexible installment plans, discounts on certain options, or even pre-approved credit at the exact moment of need.
The expansion of "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) also reconfigures people's relationship with credit. This model, which has already become popular among the younger crowd, allows consumers to purchase products without the need for a traditional credit card, dividing the payment into interest-free installments with instant approval. In 2025, the trend is that this format will diversify, catering from small amounts in e-commerce to more substantial purchases in sectors like tourism and education.
Meanwhile, the advancement of digital currencies issued by central banks (CBDCs) promises to further revolutionize the global financial system. Countries like Brazil, China, and the United States are already testing their versions of official digital currencies, paving the way for a future where international transactions can be made without intermediaries and at reduced costs. For companies operating in foreign trade, this means greater efficiency and increased competitiveness in markets previously inaccessible.
Looking at this horizon, one thing is certain: paying has never been so easy, fast, and invisible. The future of payments is not just digital, but smart, intuitive, and adaptable to each consumer's lifestyle. And for companies that understand this movement and prepare for it, the opportunities are endless.
By Walter Campos, General Manager of Yuno
