A few years ago, imagining a world without cash seemed like science fiction. However, today we are already accustomed to paying with a simple touch on the phone or even imperceptibly, with transactions happening automatically in the background. In 2025, this transformation continues to accelerate, shaping new consumer habits and challenging companies to provide faster, more secure, and personalized experiences.
In Brazil, the impact of this evolution is evident. Pix, which quickly won over 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 the routine of Brazilians. This change not only speeds up consumption but also forces companies to rethink their strategies, ensuring they offer options compatible with this new reality.
At the same time, digital wallets gain even more space. With a simple gesture on the phone or even on wearable devices, consumers can make payments effortlessly. 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 fluid, without the need to enter cards or fill out long 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’s already possible for a payment system to suggest the best way to complete a purchase based on the user’s history, offering flexible installment options, discounts on certain modalities, or even pre-approved credit at the exact moment of need.
The expansion of ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) also reshapes people’s relationship with credit. This model, which has become popular among the younger generation, allows consumers to purchase products without the need for a traditional credit card, splitting the payment into interest-free installments with instant approval. By 2025, the trend is for this format to diversify, serving small amounts in e-commerce to more substantial purchases in sectors such as tourism and education.
Meanwhile, the advancement of central bank digital currencies (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 carried out without intermediaries and with reduced costs. For businesses operating in the international trade, this means increased efficiency and greater competitiveness in previously inaccessible markets.
Looking towards this horizon, one thing is certain: paying has never been so easy, fast, and invisible. The future of payments is not only 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
