Payments 2030 Survey Shows 77% Moving to Unified Platforms Amid Stablecoin Pilots
The Payments 2030 Survey finds 77% of firms advancing unified payments platforms, with 41% piloting stablecoins and growing use of AI for fraud and exceptions.
The Payments 2030 Survey from Finextra and ACI Worldwide reports that 43% of respondents are accelerating payments investments even as macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain. Based on answers from 152 global industry leaders collected in May 2026 and released on October 16, the second edition of the series tracks measurable commercial returns rather than initial roadmaps.
Investment Resilience and Modernization Progress
95% of participants expressed confidence that their organizations will meet 2030 strategy targets. 97% stated they are on track or ahead with current modernization programs. Only 22% reported pulling back on planned spending, while the majority continue to fund upgrades at the same or higher pace.
Data accessibility remains the primary barrier to extracting commercial value from these projects. Respondents ranked improved data and insights as the leading driver for platform changes, cited by 32%, ahead of cost savings. The survey notes that real-time visibility across payment rails supports faster product launches and earlier fraud detection.
Unified Platforms, AI Applications, and Stablecoin Pilots
77% of organizations are operating or transitioning to a unified payments platform. This shift is intended to reduce data silos and support consistent processing across multiple rails. 41% now treat fraud controls as a competitive advantage, a reversal from views held two years earlier.
AI tools already deliver operational gains in specific areas. 43% of respondents have deployed AI for exceptions and investigations handling. Another 34% use it for ISO 20022 data enrichment. These applications sit alongside unified platforms as strategic priorities.
| Area | Percentage of Respondents | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| AI for exceptions/investigations | 43% | Operational efficiency |
| Stablecoin pilots | 41% | Cross-border payments, treasury, interbank settlement |
| Unified platform adoption | 77% | Data and insights |
| View fraud controls as edge | 41% | Competitive positioning |
41% of firms are actively piloting stablecoin solutions. Only 3% have no plans to engage with the technology. Fintech and payment service provider competition drives 45% of account-to-account and instant payments business cases, exceeding the 28% motivated by new revenue streams.
Next steps highlighted in the report focus on avoiding new process silos when adding payment methods. Organizations plan to use real-time data across rails to refine pricing and speed fraud response. The full report includes regional breakdowns and commentary from Deutsche Bank, Pay.UK, ING, and the FCA.
Frequently asked questions
What sample size was used in the Payments 2030 Survey?
The survey collected responses from 152 global payments industry leaders in May 2026. Finextra and ACI Worldwide published the results on October 16, 2026.
How many firms are piloting stablecoins according to the report?
41% of respondents are actively piloting stablecoin solutions, mainly for cross-border payments, treasury management, and interbank settlement. Only 3% have no engagement plans.
What percentage of organizations are moving to unified payments platforms?
77% of surveyed firms are running or transitioning to a unified payments platform. The main driver cited is improved data and insights at 32%.
How is AI currently used in payments operations per the survey?
43% of respondents apply AI to exceptions and investigations. 34% use it for ISO 20022 data enrichment, showing measurable operational returns.
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