Getnet, the leading fintech provider of payment solutions in Latin America and Iberia, has identified the five key trends that will shape the global payments landscape in 2026. And according to its latest whitepaper, artificial intelligence, instant payments and embedded finance are transforming payments into a strategic driver of growth.
In an increasingly digital and global economy, payments are becoming even more essential to customer experience. Each transaction must meet expectations and eliminate any friction in the process. Payments have evolved from a simple final step in a transaction to a critical component of the overall customer experience. In a market expected to reach $3 trillion by 2029, according to McKinsey, this seamless operational standard needs to be delivered consistently across millions of transactions.
To overcome this challenge, Getnet has published a whitepaper that outlines the key trends that are shaping the market and why payments are turning into a strategic capability rather than an operational function. It’s an opportunity to become faster, smarter and even safer, as well-optimized payment systems increase authorization rates, reduce fraud losses, improve cash flow, and enhance customer loyalty.
Agentic commerce leading the transformation
Retailers worldwide are exploring or implementing AI agents, with 75% stating that these agents will be essential to their operations in 2026, according to a Salesforce study. Furthermore, the importance of AI tools is clearly impacting the entire purchase journey, with 39% of consumers (and more than half of Gen Z) using them for product discovery.
The emergence of agentic systems (that can initiate and optimize transactions autonomously) is transforming commerce, with several implications such as defining guardrails, spending limits or approval hierarchies. Agentic commerce will only scale if merchants can trust and, therefore, confidently accept, AI-initiated transactions. To achieve this aim, Getnet is developing the right infrastructure to embed this trust into the system through unified APIs that enable AI agents to interact with existing payment flows.
The new payment standard: instant and seamless
Instant payments are projected to account for 22% of all global non-cash transaction volumes by 2028, according to a Capgemini Research report. There is a new landscape where consumers and businesses expect immediate confirmation, faster refunds, and “always-on” availability.
The acceleration of this process also brings new challenges, as there is less effective time to detect fraud or correct errors. Real-time monitoring and automated risk controls are required to protect businesses and avoid friction.
Invisible and embedded, a sign of success
An effective payment process is considered a market standard that consumers and merchants take for granted. Therefore, the greatest sign of efficiency is the process’s invisibility. But that goes beyond a direct payment; security, speed and simplicity are also required.
Whether through apps, platforms or connected devices, transactions are no longer a separate step, but a natural part of the customer journey. As a result, the embedded finance market (transactions performed through a marketplace, purchasing via a smart device or mobile app) is expected to reach $7.2 trillion by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum.
AI trust, a competitive advantage
In the world of instant payments, trust and security are the common ground that all processes must converge on. Intelligence, monitoring and compliance capability must form part of the process, as opposed to being an extra layer. In a real-time environment, risk management must evolve at the same speed as the transaction itself.
This is where adaptive authentication can provide a balanced approach. Additional verification is triggered only when risk indicators justify it. Low-risk, repeat transactions can proceed as normal, while unusual or high-value payments trigger step-up authentication. Getnet addresses this demand as the security system is incorporated in its platform to support fraud detection, analyse transaction patterns, and support compliance across numerous countries.
Personalization as the next stage
Digital technologies enable constant personalization to meet and exceed customers' expectations in several fields. Accordingly, payments will become more contextual depending on who is paying, what is being purchased, where the transaction takes place, and which regulation applies.
Each industry (and merchant) has its own risks, compliance obligations and settlement structures. Payments must reflect these differences in a tailored process rather than forcing businesses and their customers into generic models. Getnet makes this possible through its vast tools that include multi-country and multi-currency acquiring, combined with specialized integration models for marketplaces and platform businesses. The aim is to ensure that each interaction feels personal. Getnet’s approach is built on four principles: customer centricity and continuous learning; trust and security by design; fintech-level agility; and ecosystem enablement. It’s an overarching solution that positions payments as a key driver of growth in an increasingly digital and global economy.
