Digital Payment Innovation and Emerging Markets Highlighted at EBANX Summit

The EBANX Payments Summit, held from September 17-20 in Mexico City, served as a pivotal forum for discussing the evolving landscape of global digital commerce. The event convened leading fintech pioneers, global merchants, and payment industry leaders, emphasizing significant advancements in AI-powered e-commerce, the transformative potential of stablecoins for cross-border transactions, and the strategic importance of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) in emerging markets. EBANX, a technology company specializing in cross-border payment services, announced plans for new AI and stablecoin products, alongside strategic market expansion initiatives.

The Evolving Landscape of Digital Commerce

Discussions at the summit underscored a significant turning point in the payments industry, driven by rapid technological integration. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being applied not only to improve payment systems but also to fundamentally alter consumer shopping journeys. EBANX is at the forefront of this shift, with commitments to unveil new AI-powered solutions designed to enhance the e-commerce experience.

Stablecoins emerged as another critical theme, positioned as a foundational element for a more efficient, cost-effective, and programmable cross-border payment infrastructure. The summit featured key players such as Circle, issuer of USDC, and Triple-A, a regulated crypto payments company, highlighting their roles in enabling digital currency payments for enterprises. A recent EY-Parthenon survey indicates growing confidence and adoption, with 13% of financial institutions and corporates globally already utilizing stablecoins, and 54% of non-users anticipating adoption within the next 6-12 months. This acceleration is significantly buoyed by regulatory clarity, particularly following the passage of the GENIUS Act on July 18, 2025. This act provides a foundational framework for USD-denominated stablecoins, outlining critical provisions for issuers, reserve requirements, and tax treatment, thereby reducing costs and enhancing liquidity. EY-Parthenon projects that by 2030, 5%–10% of all cross-border payments, equating to between $2.1 trillion and $4.2 trillion, will be conducted using stablecoins.

The crucial role of local APMs in emerging markets was also a focal point. Brazil's Central Bank, recognized for its innovative regulatory approach, presented its strategic roadmap for Pix Automático. Launched in June 2025, this new recurring payments feature within Brazil's highly successful Pix system is anticipated to unlock an estimated USD 30 billion in Brazil's digital economy over the next two years. The success of Pix, which processed 64 billion transactions in 2024 (a 53% increase from 2023), illustrates the immense potential of localized payment solutions to drive financial inclusion and economic growth. Global entities like J.P. Morgan Payments, Mastercard, Netflix, TikTok, Spotify, Canva, and Sony were noted for prioritizing payment localization, recognizing its strategic importance for customer acquisition and retention in these dynamic markets.

Analysis of Market Drivers and Catalysts

The bullish sentiment surrounding the digital commerce and fintech sectors is directly attributable to the confluence of technological innovation and strategic market adaptation. The advancements discussed at the EBANX Payments Summit are significant catalysts. AI's application in refining payment systems and consumer interfaces promises increased efficiency and personalized experiences, driving transaction volumes. The formalization and increasing adoption of stablecoins, particularly post-GENIUS Act, address long-standing challenges in cross-border payments, offering reduced costs and greater speed. This newfound regulatory certainty and operational efficiency are powerful drivers for corporate adoption, particularly in B2B cross-border payments, where 41% of current stablecoin users report cost savings of at least 10%.

Moreover, the explosive growth of APMs like Pix Automático in emerging economies demonstrates the immense untapped potential for financial inclusion. By enabling recurring payments for the approximately 60 million Brazilians who previously lacked access to such services due to credit card absence, these methods are not merely transactional tools but engines for economic empowerment. This expansion of accessible payment options directly translates into larger addressable markets for global merchants, fostering digital economy growth and reshaping consumer behavior.

Broader Context and Future Implications

The trends highlighted at the EBANX Payments Summit are indicative of a broader, systemic transformation in global finance. The projected $30 billion unlock in Brazil's digital economy via Pix Automático serves as a concrete example of the substantial economic impact localized payment innovations can have. This echoes the broader trajectory of Pix itself, which has become one of the most widely adopted instant payment systems globally, demonstrating how emerging markets are not just adopting, but actively driving payment innovation. The regional ambitions of Pix Internacional, already integrated into Argentina and Uruguay with plans for U.S. expansion by 2025, further underscore the global influence emanating from these markets.

The anticipated scale of stablecoin adoption, with multi-trillion-dollar cross-border payment volumes projected by EY-Parthenon, signifies a fundamental shift in global payment rails. This evolution is particularly impactful in emerging markets, where stablecoins offer a hedge against local currency volatility and streamline remittance flows, as evidenced by Nigeria's leading position in stablecoin adoption. The ongoing collaboration among corporates, banks, fintechs, and regulators is crucial to fully realizing the potential of these digital assets to reshape both corporate and consumer transactions worldwide.

Expert Perspectives

João Del Valle, CEO and Co-founder of EBANX, articulated the industry's transformative period:

"The payments industry is experiencing an important turning point. Artificial intelligence, which has already been applied to developing and improving payment systems, is now reaching consumers, changing how they shop, and completely transforming their journey."

He further emphasized the proactive stance of EBANX and its partners:

"We are not just talking about the future at this Summit; we are building it. Each of our upcoming announcements reinforces our mission to provide access while bridging the gap between global merchants and emerging economies."

These sentiments are reinforced by insights from the EY-Parthenon survey, which highlights the strategic importance of third-party providers and partnerships for financial institutions seeking to develop stablecoin infrastructure, alongside corporate demand for seamless integration with existing treasury and ERP platforms.

Outlook: Continued Transformation in Payments

Looking ahead, the payments sector is poised for continued rapid evolution, driven by the ongoing integration of AI, the maturing regulatory environment for stablecoins, and the sustained growth of APMs in emerging markets. Key factors to monitor include the further development and global interoperability of instant payment systems, the expansion of stablecoin use cases beyond cross-border B2B payments to broader consumer applications, and regulatory frameworks adapting to these innovations. The emphasis on financial inclusion and the pursuit of more efficient, accessible digital payment solutions will likely remain central to the industry's strategic priorities, fostering both competition and collaboration among market participants.