Technological integration drives the next generation of payment methods

Digital transformation may have been the starting point of the revolution that we have been experiencing in recent decades, but it is the technology, especially the one that drives the means of payment, that has been shaping the next phase of this evolution. The way we buy, sell and move money has changed radically with the advancement of connectivity, mobility and financial solutions integrated with digital daily life.

Today, payments are no longer a final step in transactions to become an essential part of the user experience. Platforms, applications and digital ecosystems are born with embedded payment infrastructure, which requires that the technology go beyond automation and become the link between businesses, consumers and financial institutions.

According to a report by IDC, a consulting and market intelligence company, investments in technology in Brazil should exceed US$ 65 billion by the end of 2025, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis and automation solutions. These resources are not limited to operational efficiency, they are transforming the architecture of the means of payment, which evolve to meet speed, security and customization demands in real time.

the accelerated evolution of the means of payment

A jornada dos meios de pagamento é um retrato do avanço tecnológico. Em 2014, dinheiro e cartões representavam 97% das compras em pontos de venda físicos, segundo a WorldPay, plataforma global de processamento e tecnologia de pagamentos. Em 2024, esse número caiu para 62%, enquanto os pagamentos digitais subiram para 38%, um crescimento exponencial. No e-commerce, a virada foi ainda mais evidente, 66% das transações já ocorrem em ambientes digitais, e a previsão é que esse número chegue a 79% até 2030.

This leap reflects not only the adoption of new habits, but the technological maturity necessary to sustain this operation. Robust infrastructure, open APIs, biometric authentication systems, blockchain and instant networks like PIX have created an ecosystem where security, connectivity and convenience go hand in hand.

Technology as a pillar of financial innovation

More than tools, payment technologies represent highly complex technological products. Payment links, digital wallets, QR codes, approach payments and embedded finance-based solutions are examples of how the technology industry has taken a leading role in the way transactions are designed, processed and analyzed.

The challenge is to integrate these resources into the central operation of each business. The combination of conventional software with modern payment infrastructure generates gains in agility, intelligence and scalability. Transactional data analysis, for example, becomes a strategic asset, as it allows you to understand user behavior, detect fraud and customize tailored financial services.

In Brazil, this advance is even more evident. The country is recognized as one of the world leaders in innovation in payment methods, with solutions widely adopted and regulated. Despite the security and compliance challenges, national technology companies have shown exceptional adaptation and response capacity.

The future of the integration between software and finance

The next step is the deep integration between technology and financial systems, in which each digital product is born prepared to make and process payments safely, scalability and efficiency. In this scenario, strategic partnerships between developers, infrastructure providers and financial institutions become essential to ensure regulatory compliance, fraud protection and data-based decision making.

By raising the level of integration between IT systems and financial solutions, companies not only increase the performance of their operations, but also the reliability of the entire ecosystem. The result is more secure transactions, more fluid experiences and businesses more prepared to grow in an increasingly digital environment, where technology and payment become inseparable parts of the same process.

Douglas Lopes da Silva He is co-founder and CTO of Heronpay, with experience in data science, machine learning and integration of financial systems. Doctor from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), he worked in companies such as Picpay and Will Bank, combining advanced research and practical vision to develop technological solutions that drive innovation in payment methods.