The new payments architecture between interoperability, digital currency and artificial intelligence

Free Content Report Innovative Payments Digital Payments May 2026 53 pages pdf

What you will learn

The Innovative Payments Observatory report analyzes the main transformations shaping payment systems at the global level, highlighting the growing tension between technological integration and geopolitical fragmentation. It explores the evolution of digital and cross-border payments, the role of stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), European initiatives such as Wero, EuroPA, and the Digital Euro, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on the emergence of new payment models and agentic commerce.

Table of Contents

1
The international payments landscape
2
Cross-border payments: a growing trend
3
Stablecoin and CBDCs: new forms of currency
4
AI and Payments: new scenarios

Index of Graphs

1
Stablecoins and CBDCs: new forms of currency
2
The Digital Euro timeline
3
The use of AI in payments

You will know how to answer these key questions

How are global payment ecosystems evolving in response to geopolitical tensions and the growing pursuit of monetary sovereignty?
How is the cross-border payments landscape evolving through the convergence of interoperability standards, and how is Europe positioning itself within this context?
How are new forms of digital money reshaping the payments system, and what differences are emerging in development models across countries?
What direction is the Digital Euro taking, and what impacts could it have on the structure and competitiveness of the European payments system?
How is artificial intelligence redefining payment infrastructure and user experience, paving the way for agentic commerce?

The methodology used in this Report

The report analyzes the major transformations shaping the digital payments sector, with a focus on cross-border payments, international and European interoperability initiatives, new forms of digital currencies, and the Digital Euro in particular. It also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in payments and agentic commerce. The analysis is based on secondary sources, including academic publications, regulatory documents, technical reports, and industry news. In addition, contributions from market players were collected to better understand emerging dynamics and assess the impact of regulatory and technological developments on the digital payments sector.

Authors