Digital Payments

Digital payments encompass transaction tools and infrastructure including mobile payments, cross-border remittances, card networks, stablecoins and digital currencies. Recent developments include competition between Stripe and Swift for leadership in global payments, x402's work to advance payment standards for AI agents, digital euro trials in Europe, and tighter regulation of Pix, stablecoins and cross-border personal data transfers. These developments affect financial inclusion, bank deposits, transaction resilience and market competition, making digital payments a topic worth watching closely.