The Green Sheet Online Edition
September 22, 2025 • 25:09:02
Letter from the editor
The payments industry has undergone remarkable transformation over the past quarter century, but the most profound changes may still lie ahead. From the surge in digital wallets and virtual cards to the dawn of agentic commerce, where AI agents initiate and complete transactions, new technologies are not only reshaping how people pay but also challenging long-established business models. For banks, merchants, ISOs and agents, this emerging era presents both risks and fresh opportunities.
Our lead article explores these trends in depth, highlighting how innovations like Tap2Local and agentic payments are redefining the commerce landscape.
Experts featured in this issue examine complementary shifts taking place across the industry. One explores how global regulations are reshaping the app economy by shifting power from app stores to developers, enabling more billing options, higher margins and greater transparency.
Another looks at the challenges of new payment methods, cautioning that without clear consumer demand and measurable merchant benefits, solutions such as pay-by-bank, stablecoins and crypto may create more problems than they solve.
One contributor points out that just as fragmented colonial currencies undermined trust until the Constitution established a unified monetary policy, today's proliferation of stablecoins promises efficiency but carries risks of fragmentation, inefficiency and renewed distrust. Another payments leader shared insights on industry-specific lending, showing how verticalized lending is helping traditionally underserved businesses secure financing.
High-risk merchants turning to alternative payments for fast onboarding and fewer restrictions were the focus of another visionary, who warns of compliance risks and potential banking disruptions that can occur without careful planning.
In news briefs, we've highlighted several notable developments. Fiserv enabled cannabis dispensaries to accept debit payments via its Accel network, offering consumers convenience and dispensaries safer business tools; forty-seven state attorneys general are pressuring payment providers to block transactions tied to deepfake pornography, citing disproportionate harm to women and youth; new research from J.D. Power and WalletHub finds that credit card surcharges are angering consumers and driving them toward alternative payments; IndicaOnline launched sweedePay, an ACH-powered solution designed to help cannabis retailers move beyond cash; and Nuvei partnered with Early Warning Services to bring the Paze digital wallet to its U.S. merchant network.
As always, this issue includes updates on industry milestones, company spotlights and product profiles, and resources to help you succeed in your career. Questions? Please email greensheet@greensheet.com. To share your latest news, send a press release to press@greensheet.com.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact information, links and other details may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
