Asia has emerged as a powerful growth engine in the retail industry, maintaining an active global economy. With a burgeoning middle class, rising digital adoption, and strong demand for cross-border products, the region is poised to play an increasingly central role as commerce evolves. For U.S.-based retailers—especially small and midsize enterprises—this presents a critical opportunity. But tapping into it requires more than translating a website or expanding shipping zones. To succeed, merchants must meet customers where it matters most: the point of payment.

Most businesses recover payments after they fail. But by then, the damage is done. Our latest playbook shows you how to shift from reactive recovery to proactive optimization, increasing successful transactions before declines happen. Read the playbook and learn how to:

Spot the hidden triggers behind payment declines—even for “good” customers

Improve approval rates without changing billing platforms

It’s a simple question with a complex answer. Use this eBook as your guide to navigate the global APM landscape, craft an APM strategy that meets your business needs as well as discover how to deploy APMs to differentiate your brand and establish a competitive advantage.

The European Payments Alliance (EuroPA) and European Payments Initiative (EPI) are joining forces to explore ways to make it easy for consumers to send and receive payments seamlessly across the continent. The move signals an attempt to wrest control of the EU’s payments ecosystem away from US card schemes and Big Tech giants and secure the Bloc’s sovereignty in payments.

Bank-backed EPI launched its Wero digital wallet late last year, harnessing the potential of account-to-account (A2A) payments to help European banks take on the might of Visa and Mastercard.

The payments industry is entering a critical new phase, where speed, security, and intelligence are no longer optional. Financial institutions must adapt to future trends in payments that prioritize real-time processing, AI-driven decision-making, and proactive fraud prevention. Customers now expect instant payments through rails like RTP®, FedNow®, and ACH, and regulators demand stronger compliance and risk management. Institutions that modernize their payment infrastructure today will secure a competitive advantage for the future.

This isn’t just another guide. It’s your roadmap to global expansion. Inside, you’ll find expert strategies, real-world success stories, and proven tactics designed to help businesses scale across borders – securely, confidently, and profitably.

Cross-border e-commerce is growing twice as fast as domestic sales, with global spending expected to hit $8.09 trillion by 2028. The chance to grow is huge, but going global takes more than just ambition; it takes smart, precise moves.

As the second half of 2025 unfolds, one emerging trend in the payments landscape is the renewed focus on debit rewards. This shift is being driven by market demand, changing consumer preferences, integrated technologies and innovative partnerships that are allowing banks, FinTechs and brands to boost loyalty and customer engagement while opening new revenue opportunities.

Historically, loyalty programs have focused on credit card usage. This model left out 46 million consumers with little to no credit history — especially younger, debt-averse or credit invisible individuals — who use debit cards for everyday transactions. Today, over 90% of U.S. adults carry a debit card, and many brands report a significant share of airline and hotel purchases are made with debit. Yet until recently, these consumers’ loyalty and spending have gone largely unrecognized.

Scaling a business isn’t just about attracting more customers —it’s about being able to serve them efficiently as you grow. While many companies focus on marketing, product development, and hiring, one critical factor often gets overlooked: payments infrastructure. The way your business handles transactions can either accelerate growth or create bottlenecks that limit your potential. Here’s why payments infrastructure is a make-or-break factor for scaling and how to ensure yours supports your long-term success.