#Payments2030: The future of payments is uncertain – but full of opportunities for those who lean in.

In partnership with Kount, we held our inaugural event exploring the future of payments last week: #Payments2030

It was an amazing opportunity to bring together some of the best minds in the payments industry to debate what the next 5 years (and beyond!) look like for our industry. 

Here's what you need to know about the future of payments. 

Let’s start at the end of the event - a little unconventional, we know!

For their final question, we asked our panel to paint a picture of payments in 2030; what will making a payment actually look like? After 90 minutes of discussion and debate, you’d think there would be a shared vision. But instead, each of our five experts had a completely different take - from connected tech predicting purchasing habits to crypto payments and even back to bartering. 

One thing you should know: everyone agreed that the industry is in flux. Technology is advancing rapidly, but it’s hard to say exactly what this might look like for consumers because, as an industry, we tend to think too much about payment tech and not enough about its end users. And another thing we’re perhaps neglecting to think about? Small businesses.

Our expert panel discussing the future of payments

In this blog we will be exploring some of the key questions that came up during the event.

These include:

• Do SMBs have enough access to the technology required combat increasingly complex fraudulent transactions – and do we, as an industry, owe them better technology and support?

• How do you reduce payment friction and make it easy for consumers to pay – whilst still ensuring enough cybersecurity friction to protect against attacks?

• Alternative payment methods – open banking, crypto – are brilliant technology. But will consumers actually adopt them? And what does CBDC mean for it all?

• AI – friend AND foe. Great for slick transaction processes and payment integrations, but are they giving fraudsters too many tools to get ahead?

• As an industry, we’re great at thinking about payments. But it’s far too easy to forget our end users. Are we thinking enough about customers?

Do SMBs have the technology to fight fraud – and do we owe them more support?

Fraud is evolving fast, and small businesses are struggling to keep up.

• Fraud is getting more complex – AI-driven attacks, synthetic identity fraud, and deepfake scams are making it harder than ever to tell real from fake transactions, not just for payment professionals, but for everyday consumers. Criminals are using automation to launch highly targeted attacks that bypass traditional security measures.

• SMBs are underprepared – Unlike large enterprises, smaller businesses often lack the resources to implement cutting-edge fraud detection systems. Many rely on outdated tools that aren’t equipped to handle modern fraud techniques. 

• The industry must step up – Payments providers, banks, and technology firms need to work together to make advanced fraud prevention more accessible. AI-powered fraud detection, biometric authentication, and better collaboration between businesses could help close the gap.

This is why Taylr.io has partnered with Kount to give SMB’s enterprise-level fraud prevention, at no extra cost. Fraud is getting smarter, and small businesses deserve the tech that will help them fight it. 

How do we balance frictionless payments with cybersecurity?

Consumers expect fast, seamless payments, but businesses also need to ensure transactions are secure.

• Frictionless payments drive sales – Customers want checkout processes to be smooth and instant. Every additional security step, like extra authentication screens or manual input fields, increases the risk of cart abandonment.

• But too little friction creates vulnerabilities – Removing all barriers can leave businesses open to fraud. Weak verification processes make it easier for cybercriminals to exploit payment systems.

• The solution is smart security – Businesses must adopt AI-driven risk analysis to determine when to add extra security measures. For example, a low-risk returning customer might enjoy a one-click checkout experience, while a high-risk transaction triggers additional authentication.

What will payments look like in 2030?

Alternative payment methods – brilliant technology, but will consumers adopt them?

Payments are changing fast, but consumer habits take time to shift.

• Open banking is here, but adoption is slow – Direct account-to-account payments offer lower fees and greater security than card payments. However, consumer awareness and trust remain barriers to widespread adoption.

• Crypto payments remain niche – Cryptocurrencies promise fast, decentralised transactions, but volatility, regulation, and lack of mainstream acceptance prevent widespread use. Stablecoins could provide a more viable alternative, but businesses remain hesitant.

• What about CBDCs? – Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could revolutionise the industry by offering a government-backed digital currency. However, there are concerns about privacy, government control, and potential impacts on commercial banking.

Our solution? Don’t bet on one thing and be prepared. Taylr can give consumers the option to use multiple alternative payment methods to ensure SMB merchants are at the forefront of emerging technologies. Whether consumers choose to actually use these payment methods is up to them! 

AI – a friend AND a foe…

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the payments industry, but not without risks.

• AI is making payments smarter – Machine learning is being used to optimise payment approvals, detect fraud in real time, and personalise customer experiences. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are also improving customer support in payments.

• But, fraudsters are using AI too – Deepfake scams, automated bot attacks, and AI-generated phishing emails are making fraud more sophisticated than ever. Criminals can now generate highly convincing fake identities to bypass traditional security checks.

• The challenge is staying ahead – Businesses need to invest in AI-powered fraud prevention tools to counteract these threats. Collaboration between industry players and real-time data sharing will be crucial to keeping up with emerging fraud tactics.

Are we thinking enough about customers?

With all the innovation in payments, are we prioritising the end user?

• Payments should be invisible – The best payment experiences are those that customers don’t have to think about. Whether it’s a one-click checkout, tap-to-pay, or recurring payments, convenience is key.

• Flexibility matters – Consumers expect to pay how they want, whether that’s via card, digital wallet, BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), or even cryptocurrency. Businesses need to offer multiple options to meet customer expectations.

• Trust is everything – In an era of increasing cyber threats, consumers need to feel confident that their transactions are secure. Businesses must focus on transparency, clear communication, and strong security measures to maintain trust.

And finally, a huge thank you to our attendees, speakers and panel..

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in #Payments2030 and shared their insights. We were delighted by the turnout and discussion!

• Simon Vallis, Head of International Partnerships at Kount, an Equifax company

• Scott Przybyla, SVP of Payment Sales at Kount, an Equifax company

• Mann Matharu, Crypto evangelist, author and CEO/Founder of QI Digital

• Simon Kemp, Head of Partnership at World Pay & ‘That Payments Guy’

• Bimal Shah, CEO / Founder of Elemental Concept, Tech Consultancy

The conversation around the future of payments is far from over. Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to explore what’s next for the industry.