Innovative Payments

The Innovative Payments Observatory studies and analyzes all payment methods and related opportunities: from smartphone and wearable payments to payments made through connected objects and voice assistants, to biometric payments and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC).

In 2023 as well, there is no sign of stopping the Mobile Payment race, the star of a year that feels like a consecration. In-store, online, and mobile payments are growing, and the share of Italians using them is increasing. However, 2023 also marks a turning point in many other areas of the payment world. "Software POS" solutions become popular, in-car Payments and Smart Check-out solutions gain momentum, and big steps are taken toward the Digital Euro.

Innovative Payments Observatory Research

As part of the annual edition, the Innovative Payments Observatory will focus on the following innovative payment Research areas:

• Market and Context Analysis to understand the development of innovative payments in Italy and Worldwide and context elements that influence it:
  • quantify transacted value: Quantification of digital payments’ transacted value in Italy focusing on Mobile Payments and Innovative Payments;
  • startups and innovative trends: monitor major funded startups at international level and identify most relevant trends;
  • legislation, technology, security, and privacy: monitoring the evolution and new developments in Regulation, Security, and Technology areas that could impact Innovative Payments (Mobile Payments, Digital Wallet, Instant Payments Regulation, A2A Payments and others), with particular focus on PSD3/PSR, FiDAR, MiCAR, Digital Euro Regulation, EUDI Wallet, eIDAS2, CCD2, etc.;
  • international analysis: monitor main new introductions in the payment sector at national and international level through a weekly Press review sent to all Observatory Partners and Sponsors; monitor Mobile Payment services as well as other Innovative Payment services active in Italy; analysis and monitoring of deferred payment solutions or «Buy Now, Pay Later» in Italy and the world.
• Analysis of Innovation Directions to understand new payment trends and the technological developments that influence it:

• • Digital Wallet and Digital Identity: Analysis and comparison of Digital Wallets in Italy and at international level that provide payment solutions, monitoring the evolution and work of consortiums to integrate payment systems into EUDI Wallet;
  • Buy Now Pay Later: analysis and monitoring of deferred payment or "Buy Now, Pay Later" solutions in Italy and around the world;
  • Account-to account Payments, Instant Payments, and new payment schemes: monitor A2A payment solutions, new schemes (Sepa, Request-to-Pay, SCT Inst, ...) and Instant Payment solutions active in Italy and abroad;
  • Smart Device Payments: monitor payment services also integrated with wearables and Iot Payment related evolutions (through cars, household appliances, ...);
  • POS and cash registers: analysis and study of value-added services and opportunities related to Smart POS, POS Software and advanced cash systems;
  • Digital Currencies: monitor developments in cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, focusing on Central Bank Digital Currencies and the Digital Euro;
  • technology Trends: monitor cross-cutting technology trends and their impact on the world of digital payments. Technologies such as Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Metaverse and Open APIs are included in this cluster;
  • Cross Border Payments: monitor solutions that enable cross-border payments at national and international levels;
  • Device-free payments: monitor new technologies related to the most innovative checkout systems at international level.

• Analysis of the Demand to understand the needs and points of view of the «recipients» who can establish the spread of Innovative Payment:
  • focus on Consumers: survey on payment behaviors of Italian consumers and their point of view regarding Innovative Payments solutions;
  • focus on Merchants and the Public Sector: survey on the use of digital payments by Italian merchants and the main barriers perceived.