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Letter from the editor

rtificial intelligence has officially entered
the holiday shopping season. Transitions
that once took decades (the ubiquity of elec-
A tronic transfers, for example) now happen
in months. As our lead article reveals, AI-driven traffic
to retail sites surged 4,700 percent over the past year,
with shoppers turning to generative tools for inspira-
tion, price checks and deal verification. AI is becoming
the new shopping assistant, transforming tradition into
something more dynamic, playful and personalized.
But convenience comes with risk: scams, deepfakes and
friendly fraud are evolving faster than the protections
meant to contain them. Payment brands like Visa and
Mastercard are responding with trusted-agent frame-
works to authenticate AI activity and ensure merchants
can distinguish legitimate bots from malicious impos-
tors.

That same spirit of vigilance and adaptation connects
articles in this issue written by industry experts. One
points out that just as merchants must rethink AI-driven
commerce, ISOs and MLSs can help small businesses
thrive this BFCM season with turnkey campaigns, loyalty
tools and data-driven strategies that build trust and
repeat business. Other contributors explore ways that
embedded finance offers a lifeline to small merchants
seeking fast, data-driven funding; how Gen Z’s mobile-
first mindset is reshaping travel and payments; how ISOs
can guide clients safely through the MATCH list, turning
compliance challenges into long-term opportunities;
the path forward for stablecoins, which need better
visibility, rewards and user experience to gain traction;
the ongoing tug-of-war between consolidation and
innovation in merchant acquiring; and how a Chief
Payment Officer can transform payments from an
administrative function into a core element of business
strategy—bringing finance, compliance, product and
technology into alignment for growth.

In news, we report on a nationwide refund-fraud ring
exploiting a POS glitch; Vyntra’s findings that consumers
increasingly value trust and transparency over speed;
BCG’s forecast that global payments revenue will hit $2.4
trillion by 2029; Adobe’s projection of $250 billion in online
holiday spending; and Mastercard’s research revealing
rising concern about cyber threats and online scams.
Each headline underscores that security, innovation
and reliability remain the cornerstones of trust in
payments. You’ll also find resources tailored specifically
for payments pros, product profiles; event listings; and
updates on industry milestones spotlighting awards,
partnerships, research, acquisitions and appointments
across the payments ecosystem.We welcome your news
for upcoming issues; please send press releases to press@
greensheet.com. Questions, comments or suggestions?
And reach out anytime with your comments and
questions at greensheet@greensheet.com.
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