Source: Finance Derivative

Written by Fernando Costa-Cabral, SVP Branded Payments, and Ishan Vaid, VP Core Features, at Paysafe.

Throughout 2025, we’ll see two seemingly opposing payment methods – eCash and digital wallets – further reshaping how consumers manage their money. While cash – and future access to it – is still critically important for consumers, digital payments are undergoing a huge transformation.

eCash will continue to bridge the digital divide by ensuring consumers can use physical currency to buy goods and services online. As a result, businesses will leverage it as a democratizing force to promote financial inclusion and serve diverse consumer segments.

Digital wallets also have a major role to play in the evolving payments landscape, with 32% of consumers reporting to have increased their use of wallets in 2024. A notable development is the rise of brand-owned wallets, as businesses outside the financial services sector seek to establish closed-loop ecosystems to control and enhance the customer experience.
 

With a view to the year ahead, here is how eCash and digital wallets will evolve throughout 2025.

Bridging the digital divide with eCash

Even in today’s digital world, cash plays a vital role in consumer finances. Recent research from Paysafe has revealed that 63% of consumers harbor concerns about losing access to cash, while 44% want the option to buy items online and pay in cash at a brick-and-mortar store.

This preference stems from the unique advantages of cash: it provides tangible financial security, enables precise spending control, and helps users avoid the often-hidden costs commonly associated with credit-based payments. Across geographies, cash remains essential for reducing financial anxiety and ensuring reliable transactions.

Despite its enduring importance, cash has largely remained on the sidelines of the recent payment revolution. Traditional cash-based operations continue to be cumbersome and time-consuming – whether it’s depositing physical money into a bank account, coordinating international cash transfers, or attempting to set up installment payments. Furthermore, the retail sector has generally overlooked cash users when developing modern consumer incentives such as cashback programs, buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes, or subscription-based services, creating a noticeable gap in the market.

That is all now changing. This year, eCash will solidify its position as the right solution to bridge this divide between physical currency and our increasingly digital economy – making cash more relevant and accessible in the modern world. In the year ahead, eCash’s progression will materialize through three main developments: enhanced security measures, value-added features, and a significantly improved user experience. With these improvements, eCash can transform traditional cash into a simple and secure payment method with the same core benefits that make cash valuable to many people.

Digital wallets will diversify the payments landscape

In a similar vein to eCash, digital wallets are diversifying the payments landscape, with non-financial brands increasingly venturing into the territory once dominated by incumbent financial service providers. By acquiring their own digital wallet solutions, these brands are reducing their dependence on external financial institutions and enhancing the payment experience.

The trend toward brand-owned wallets has already gained traction in Asian markets, with e-wallets now being offered by ride-hailing apps and e-commerce platforms – and we anticipate a significant uptake in markets like the UK over the coming year. Specifically, retail chains, gaming platforms, and logistics companies are all exploring how digital wallets can streamline their payment processes, strengthen customer loyalty, and deliver greater control over the user experience.

There’s particularly strong momentum building around white-label wallet solutions, which provide businesses with a sophisticated approach to payment integration. These solutions enable brands to incorporate advanced wallet functionalities directly into their existing platforms while maintaining complete control over their user interface and experience. This development aligns with a broader strategic shift we’ve observed across various sectors – from gaming and retail to mobility services – where brands increasingly want a closed-loop ecosystem that they manage.

In 2025, we can anticipate four key evolutionary trends in the digital wallet space. First, we will see even more seamless integration of wallet functionality into non-financial platforms, allowing users to complete transactions without leaving their preferred brand’s ecosystem. Second, there will be significant advances in real-time currency conversion capabilities and multi-currency wallet features, catering to the growing demands of global commerce and international travel. Third, we can expect enhanced instant settlement capabilities, supported by faster payment rails that align with contemporary consumer expectations for immediate transaction processing and gratification. Finally, there will be an increased emphasis on sustainability, with digital wallets incorporating eco-friendly features such as carbon footprint tracking to meet the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible financial services.

While these two technologies and their respective journeys aren’t necessarily joined at the hip, as 2025 unfolds both eCash and digital wallets will help to create a more accessible and customer-centric financial system. This evolution isn’t about choosing between cash and digital – it’s about seamlessly bridging both worlds, giving consumers and brands greater control over how they pay and get paid.

John Kelleher, VP UKI & ME, UiPath

With significant economic disruption over the past few years, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances quickly has never been more important for businesses. Increasingly, there are instances of sudden pressure on organisations to adopt the latest technology, such as the push to move to cloud computing models or embrace artificial intelligence (AI).

In the past couple of years, the AI industry has thrived as the technology becomes indispensable for businesses. From chatbots to aid customer service interactions, to machine learning models that produce accurate financial forecasts, AI has found a place in all areas of business.

Soon, AI will become the standard customers expect, meaning organisations must adopt it at pace. Those who manage to implement the technology correctly will reap benefits in productivity, employee satisfaction and, ultimately, profitability. But to do this, organisations need to transform how they operate.

Customers won’t be patient

In an AI-driven world, patience is a virtue of the past. The expectations of service delivery and response times have drastically changed as the norm becomes swift response times delivered from digital-first organisations.

Customers continue to prioritise convenience with the purchases they make and demand more from the organisations they are loyal to. This ‘convenience economy’ is also lucrative for businesses as customers are willing to pay a 5% premium for convenience, which rises among younger consumers.

With these customer demands, the convenience attached to a business is a point of differentiation in a competitive marketplace. However, it is not possible to provide a service at pace unless the business offering it is set up in the right way.

The important takeaway from this is speed should be the top priority for businesses. With companies across all industries increasingly adopting AI to transform the services they offer, and the experiences customers have, convenience is no longer a competitive differentiator – it is a necessity. Businesses need to get ahead of the curve to ensure they don’t lose out to competitors.

Speed as a core business value

The capacity for your business to respond quickly to emerging market conditions and offer innovation at pace doesn’t only influence the experience for customers, but is transformative to how a business operates. Promoting speed and flexibility in internal business operations can support organisations to adapt quickly to any external challenges and uncertainties faster than their competitors.

Supply chains have experienced significant unforeseen disruption in recent years, and this has caused shortages, delays, and increased costs. For companies to stay ahead in this increasingly volatile environment, they must be prepared for uncertainty and be able to adapt to deliver at a fast pace for consumers. Across uses such as inventory management, supplier analysis and demand forecasting, AI can be an effective tool in boosting speed, in both issue identification and handling possible fall out should something go wrong. We’re already starting to see new expectations being set for supply chain organisations in response to this, with 50% expected to invest in AI and advanced analytics to prepare themselves for unexpected delays and disruption.

Another area speed is invaluable to is complying with increasingly complex regulation. Around 34% of businesses globally are using AI for regulatory compliance already, and businesses need to maximise this opportunity. The ripple effects of falling behind on compliance can’t be overstated. From adjusting privacy protocols and HR policies to incorporating updated environmental guidelines, move too slowly and you could see heavy fines, legal repercussions or a tarnished reputation.

AI and automation are key to accelerate business functions

AI and automation are key to helping organisations streamline processes and innovate faster. By simplifying how a business operates and reducing time spent on repetitive work, 90% of employees report a significant boost to productivity. Further, AI and automation can help predict and manage employee’s workloads better. If provided with the right data, AI algorithms have the capacity to predict and offer recommendations on business decisions, helping to eliminate crunch periods.

Integrating AI into your business’s workflows provides flexibility, productivity, and the capacity to handle unanticipated events. Companies will be able to respond faster to changes and manage their operations better and, as AI and automation are used to remove the repetitive drudgery from people’s work, employee satisfaction will improve.

Harnessing efficiency to maximise opportunity

Investing in AI and implementing it quickly is now a business imperative. Businesses in the UK are increasingly open to using AI as the number of UK AI companies has grown by over 600% over the last 10 years.  Rapid implementation of AI not only enhances efficiency but also ensures companies can capitalise on new opportunities before other competitors do. Those who take advantage of AI will be better prepared to anticipate trends, refine the customer experience and improve their bottom line.

Operational efficiency creates a more favourable cost structure and boosts margins. Ensuring compliance mitigates risks and helps companies avoid fines and reputational harm while streamlining customer service not only lowers costs and reduces turnover but also strengthens customer retention and acquisition, driving top-line growth.

Today, more than ever, time is money.

By Kevin Brundish, CEO of LionVolt 

As we look toward the future, the global wearables market is projected to reach $265.4 billion by 2026. This growth is further fuelled by advancements in AI, which promise to enhance the functionality and performance of wearable devices. For instance, in the healthcare industry, artificial intelligence (AI) may use the massive volumes of data gathered by wearables to communicate with patients and offer precise diagnosis, advice and support.

Despite the remarkable features and capabilities of modern wearable devices, battery life remains a significant challenge. Most smartwatches, for example, still struggle to last a full 24 hours, making it difficult for users to monitor sleep patterns and daily activities continuously without frequent recharging. With the use of AI and applications that demand increasing amounts of data, this limitation prevents wearables from becoming fully integrated tools in our daily lives.

Advances in battery technology are looking to address this issue. At LionVolt we are working on a 3D lithium-metal anode technology which helps to significantly enhance lithium-ion battery performance.

Smaller Batteries, Same Energy 

The most significant advantage of lithium-metal anode batteries is their ability to provide the same energy from a smaller size battery. This gives designers greater freedom and opens new possibilities for wearable technology by enabling the miniaturisation of existing wearable designs. In addition, lithium-metal anodes may allow manufacturers to lower overall prices by moving away from costly cathode materials they use now, to cathode materials being used in automotive industry, where there is a cost advantage through economies of scale. 

Higher Energy Density and Faster Charging Times 

When we compare conventional lithium-ion batteries to lithium-metal anode battery technology, the lithium-metal anode batteries have a superior energy density. For users of wearable devices, this translates to longer usage periods and fewer charging interruptions as well as faster charge times, which minimises downtime and guarantees that gadgets remain operational when needed.

Enhanced User Experience 

Fast charging periods and increased energy density which is key to longer usage periods improve wearable technology’s overall performance, enabling consumers to maximise its benefits without sacrificing dependability or quality

Lithium-metal anode powered batteries also improve wearable gadgets’ dependability and durability. Users can count on their wearables to function reliably day or night and to enable a variety of applications, such as health monitoring and exercise tracking. These batteries are made to endure the demands of regular use, guaranteeing that gadgets continue to be reliable and operational for long stretches of time. 

The use of the highest performing materials in wearables typically comes at a high cost. However, with the advancement of new technology, it becomes possible to utilize more widely available and cost-effective anodes without compromising on performance. This approach allows for the efficient operation of wearables while also offering a cost benefit, addressing the economic challenges associated with high-performance materials.

Overcoming Adoption Barriers 

One of the key reasons for the slower adoption rate of consumer wearables is the charging rate. The utility of these products can be increased, along with their consumer appeal by extending their battery life and charging timeframes. The advantages of the next generation of batteries—faster charging, longer battery life, and improved device dependability—can greatly accelerate wearables’ uptake.  

Advancing Wearable Technology 

By tackling the crucial problem of battery duration, coupled with a fast charge capability, lithium-metal anode technology would propel the wearables business forward. An emphasis on sustainability and safety guarantees that these developments help both consumers and the environment, while our smaller, more efficient batteries provide designers the freedom to develop creative new gadgets. 

Transforming the Landscape of Wearable Technology

Lithium-metal anode battery technology brings numerous benefits to the consumer wearables sector: 

• Longer Battery Life: Wearable devices will last much longer on a single charge, addressing a significant pain point for users. 

• Increased Monitoring Time: Faster charging means users can monitor their health and activities for extended periods without interruption. 
• Reduced Equipment Needs: With longer battery life and faster charging, users will need fewer duplicate products to cover charging times, simplifying their tech ecosystem.

Imagine being able to monitor your heart activity and more to manage health conditions without worrying if your device has enough power? With improved battery longevity, users can rely on their wearables for consistent health insights, making it easier to identify trends and make informed lifestyle changes. This seamless integration into daily life not only promotes better health management but also empowers users to take proactive steps towards their well-being.

These enhancements not only improve the user experience but also pose the potential to increase the adoption rate of consumer wearables.

Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Wearable Technology 

Wearables have a bright future because of AI and cutting-edge battery technology, which will greatly enhance their usability, dependability and functionality. The next generation of batteries are revolutionising the wearables market and paving the way for a new era of technological innovation by emphasising sustainability, increased energy density, quicker charging times, and improved safety features.