Events & Resources
Events
Register for an upcoming webinar and track which industry events our analysts attend.
Learn More →Topics
See All Topics →Latest Articles
Explore our Research →Shoppers hate paying for return shipping more than any other part of the process
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Doctors expect longer visits as parents seek clarity about pediatric vaccine guidelines
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Lowe’s reaches out to Gen Alpha with new rewards program for kids
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Meta faces critical questions as AI spending and regulatory scrutiny intensify
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
J&J launches direct-to-consumer prescription drug site with lower cash prices
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
The health and fitness industry’s future is subscription-first, not hardware-led
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Scam exposure on social platforms threatens brands
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Email is consumers’ top marketing channel, but inbox fatigue threatens ROI
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
How payment providers should react to OpenAI’s Instant Checkout walkback
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Capital One joins finance industry layoff trend, sheds 1,100 Discover workers
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
About
Our Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More →Payments Trends to Watch in 2026
Stablecoins Surge, Agentic AI Accelerates, and Financial Platforms Battle for the Next Commerce Frontier
Top Trends to Watch in 2026
Need-to-Know Trends Reshaping the Digital Future
more
Download
Table of Contents
Payment players race to define their place in the stablecoin ecosystem
Financial media networks will acquire shopping surfaces to compete for commerce budgets
Payment players are betting big on agentic commerce—before consumers are ready for it
AI automates credit card rewards personalization
A two-track credit card economy: Premium cards thrive, while lower-tier cards struggle
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
In 2026, stablecoins, agentic commerce, and AI-driven rewards will reshape the payments industry. Providers need to bet early or risk being sidelined by faster, cheaper, and more intuitive payment experiences.
Table of Contents
Payment players race to define their place in the stablecoin ecosystem
Financial media networks will acquire shopping surfaces to compete for commerce budgets
Payment players are betting big on agentic commerce—before consumers are ready for it
AI automates credit card rewards personalization
A two-track credit card economy: Premium cards thrive, while lower-tier cards struggle
Sources
Media Gallery
Amid a shifting technological, regulatory, and economic backdrop, 2026 will force payment providers to rethink their strategies. From agentic commerce and AI-based personalization to stablecoins, payment providers will need to pivot to fit into this new payments era and meet shifting consumer expectations.
authors
Grace Broadbent, Sarah Marzano
Contributors
- Chris Keating
- Tiffani Montez
- Emma Noyes
- Graphic Designer, Data Visualization
- Myra Thomas
- Emman Velasco
- Chart Editor
- Julia Woolever
- Ali Young
- Senior Copy Editor and Manager of Content Operations
Already have a subscription?Sign In
Access All Charts and Data
Gain access to reliable data presented in clear and intelligible displays for quick understanding and decision making on the most important topics related to your industry
Unlock Unlimited Insights with PRO+
Contact Us →
Worldwide HQ
One Liberty Plaza9th FloorNew York, NY 100061-800-405-0844
Sales Inquiries
1-800-405-0844sales@emarketer.com
* Copyright © 2026
EMARKETER Inc. All Rights Reserved.