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The news: A federal judge has delivered a sharp rebuke to Apple, ordering the company to loosen its control over the App Store and cease commissions on certain app sales, marking a major shift in the Epic Games antitrust case and weakening Apple’s dominance over mobile payments.

A rewards integration coming later this year could make Synchrony a more attractive co-brand partner

PayPal has struggled to crack proximity mobile payment. Unlike Apple Pay, which was designed as a proximity mobile payment method, PayPal was designed for digital payments; its in-store payment experience is not as convenient as its pass-through rivals. In the UK, the only in-store PayPal payment option is via scannable QR codes, which can be generated by the customer or the merchant.

Proximity mobile payment transaction value will increase by 21.4% this year and by double digits through the end of our forecast in 2028.

As the mobile wallet ecosystem matures, US proximity mobile payment engagement gains are lapping user growth.

NFC access unlocks consumers’ most popular in-store mobile payment methods for US wallets and payment apps. Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App have had to rely on QR code payments to give customers an in-store iPhone payment option. But this method has not caught on: Only 2.4% of in-store mobile phone-based transactions were made via QR code in 2023, per the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Modern card issuers are turbocharging the issuer processor space by offering API-based, customizable card solutions for non-financial services companies. Mobile payment services, ecommerce marketplaces, and the gig economy are in their sights—along with $17.12 billion in issuer processing revenues.

US adults are fairly evenly split on using mobile payment apps online versus in-store—except with PayPal, where 36% of users use the platform online most often, compared with 29% of users who use the app in-store, according to CivicScience.

Shoppers are relying on their smartphones more, as enhancements in mobile payments, social media checkout, and retailer apps make purchases easier than ever. This year, US shoppers will spend $558.29 billion on their mobile devices, accounting for 44.6% of overall ecommerce sales, according to our November 2023 forecast. We delve into the consumer embrace of mcommerce, unpacking three key drivers.

The news: Lloyds Bank is reportedly considering acquiring Curve for approximately $162 million, per Bloomberg. Our take: Lloyds wants to acquire Curve to avoid falling behind other alternate payment methods. However, buying a third-party wallet might not be the best solution.

The insight: Younger consumers are opting out of human interaction when they shop. Our take: While younger consumers tend to adopt new behaviors faster, they’re also driving the direction of retail innovation. Retailers looking to stay competitive should prioritize the tech-driven, convenience-first features these shoppers now see as table stakes.

The news: Apple’s F1: The Movie made $144 million globally in its opening weekend, becoming the company’s first box office success after prior flops. With standout reviews and marketing synced across the Apple ecosystem, the Brad Pitt-led film was driven by premium formats like IMAX and high youth turnout. Our take: F1 validates Apple’s blockbuster ambitions, but success here is about more than ticket sales. It’s a brand-building tool, aimed at strengthening Apple TV+ and its wider services. Turning big-screen moments into lasting streaming growth is the next test—especially as Apple balances cost, competition, and the evolving economics of global theatrical releases.

This trend highlights the necessity for retailers to optimize their websites with fast loading times, mobile-first designs, and convenient mobile payment options to cater to the increasing number of mobile shoppers. To attract Mother’s Day shoppers, it is crucial to offer a seamless omnichannel experience—whether in-person, online, or mobile.

The news: Google Cloud is creating its own blockchain, named Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), for payments and financial products. Our first take: The post-GENIUS Act environment has major institutions scrambling to get a first-mover advantage on stablecoins. Google likely is betting that it’s better positioned to offer clients and financial institutions than Stripe’s Tempo or Circle’s Arc because its blockchain service simplifies integration for multiple currencies and assets, stabilizes fees, and is designed for safety—as a private and permissioned system, it benefits from Google’s tech security stack.

Mobile apps enhance omnichannel consumer journeys through key features, including providing real-time inventory visibility, product information, and in-store wayfinding; storing coupons and promos in a digital wallet; and enabling cashierless checkout technology such as scan-and-go and proximity mobile payments.