Key trends include:

• Embedded Finance Takes the Lead: With players like Affirm integrating with Apple Pay, and Capchase partnering with Stripe to enhance Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for B2B sellers, Embedded Finance is rapidly becoming the core driver of new payment models. These developments highlight the rise of embedded payments, where services become seamless, invisible, and more integrated into daily user experiences. For businesses, embedding flexible payment options directly into checkout experiences can enhance customer satisfaction and boost sales conversions.
• Open Finance Fuels Salary Portability and Global Payments: The introduction of PicPay’s salary portability feature and TeleMoney’s cross-border integration with Thunes underscores how Open Finance is unlocking new payment flows across regions. Salary transfers are now simpler, empowering workers to manage their finances with greater ease. Simultaneously, global money transfer services are becoming increasingly frictionless, opening up vast opportunities for SMEs and businesses operating across Asia, Africa, and beyond. 
• Expansion and Localisation Drive Regional Growth: As seen in Paymob’s expansion into the GCC region and PayerMax’s Saudi win, geographic expansion and certification are vital for fintechs looking to secure market leadership in new territories. By adapting to local regulations and obtaining the necessary certifications, companies can unlock massive growth potential. The ability to tap into local markets—especially high-growth regions like the GCC—demonstrates the importance of regionalisation in scaling globally.