What shapes consumer transactions and payment technologies, and where is it going?
Rapid changes in technology, regulation, and consumer behavior continue to reshape the payments industry. Javelin’s payments research team tracks commercial and consumer payment trends, evaluates emerging payment technologies, and anticipates what’s next. Through unbiased research, data-driven insights, and actionable advice, we help financial institutions, payments providers, and technology companies develop strategies that position them for success in a rapidly evolving market.
Payments Research
Reports
Regulatory Issues in Credit Cards: Preparing for the World of AI
From constitutional preemption to modern AI, the forces shaping credit cards are more complex and consequential than ever. Federal dominance, limited state influence, and evolving consumer protections create a tightly controlled system where inn...
Every Merchant Needs a Chief Payments Officer
Payments are no longer just a cost center for merchants; they’re a strategic lever for growth. As responsibilities fragment across finance, IT, and operations, hidden costs and missed revenue opportunities multiply. This report reveals why tradi...
How SoFiUSD Is Pointing Toward the Broader Stablecoin Future
SoFiUSD is not just another branded stablecoin competing for consumer attention. Its launch shows how stablecoins may enter banking through settlement, issuer processing, embedded finance, and vendor infrastructure before customers ever ask to h...
Digital IDs and Mobile Driver’s Licenses: Acceptance Remains the Key Constraint
Issuance of mobile driver’s licenses and digital IDs is rising and awareness is building, yet adoption is stalling where it matters most: real-world use. The next wave of value will come from convergence across wallets, biometrics, and acceptanc...
Agentic AI and the Rise of Forward Deployed Employees in Financial Services
Frontier AI partnerships are rapidly reshaping how financial institutions operate, from embedded engineers influencing product strategy to agentic systems driving critical workflows. These deeper collaborations promise significant gains, but the...
The Virtual Economy: Five Forces Driving Virtual Card Adoption in 2026
2026 may prove to be an inflection point year for virtual cards as better data, embedded workflows, flexible pricing, and agentic orchestration improve execution, while macroeconomic pressure sharpens the working-capital case. The opportunity is...
Stablecoins Become a Star at Stripe: How the Payments Giant Could Influence FIs’ Thinking
Stripe is quickly turning stablecoins from a concept to a competitive advantage and bringing them to real-world payments. By targeting high-friction areas such as cross-border payouts and gig economy payments, stablecoins are showing real benefi...
Debit Payment Data: A Business Strategy, Not Just an Initiative
Data is the most important tool for financial institutions to make strategic decisions and forecast the future. By organizing payment and customer data across systems, banks can create a more complete view of customer behavior. Data strategy at ...
Expanding the Use of Commercial Prepaid Cards: Here Are the Gaps in a Growing Market
Prepaid cards are quietly emerging as a powerful tool in commercial payments, extending far beyond their traditional role. As businesses seek tighter spending controls, reduced fraud exposure, and greater flexibility, these solutions are gaining...
Rewiring the Credit Card Value Proposition: From Best Card to Best Relationship
High credit card interest rates are reshaping the economics of the industry, putting pressure on consumers while increasing risks of delinquencies and losses. Widening spreads, shifting revenue dynamics, and evolving issuer strategies—from AI-dr...