Payments - Practical Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/category/management/payments Independent analysis and strategy for online merchants Sun, 10 Aug 2025 09:47:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 New Stablecoin Law May Slash Payment Fees https://www.practicalecommerce.com/new-stablecoin-law-may-slash-payment-fees Sun, 10 Aug 2025 09:00:14 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1555364 America's new GENIUS Act could lead to billions in annual savings for enterprise retailers that issue their own digital money.

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]]> BNPL Loans to Impact Credit Scores https://www.practicalecommerce.com/bnpl-loans-to-impact-credit-scores Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:51:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1554288 FICO is launching new credit scores that incorporate buy-now-pay-later loans, possibly influencing the behavior of consumers, providers, and merchants.

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]]> Stablecoins Ease International Payments https://www.practicalecommerce.com/stablecoins-ease-international-payments Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:21:13 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1553898 Shopify merchants can now accept USD Coin, a stablecoin cryptocurrency tied to the value of the U.S. dollar.

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]]> How BNPL Impacts Ecommerce Profits https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-bnpl-impacts-ecommerce-profits Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:25:56 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1550930 Customers spend more when buy-now pay-later is available. The downside to merchants is the cost.

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]]> U.S. Lags in Digital Wallet Adoption https://www.practicalecommerce.com/u-s-lags-in-digital-wallet-adoption Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:18:31 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1546349 Digital wallets will account for 61% of global ecommerce payments by 2027, per Worldpay.

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]]> 4 Payment Processing Pitfalls to Avoid https://www.practicalecommerce.com/4-payment-processing-pitfalls-to-avoid Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:00:42 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1544272 Industry pros cite common merchant mistakes that jeopardize processor relationships and damage a business.

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]]> Cards Face Checkout Competition, Studies Find https://www.practicalecommerce.com/cards-face-checkout-competition-studies-find Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:17:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1543714 Are alternative payment providers a better option for ecommerce shoppers?

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]]> AI Unravels Payment Processing Statements https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ai-unravels-payment-processing-statements Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:54:48 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1539839 Deciphering credit card processing statements is typically complicated at best. AI tools can help.

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]]> Merchants Weigh In on Payment Processing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/merchants-weigh-in-on-payment-processing Thu, 20 Jun 2024 14:41:09 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1538621 J.D. Power surveyed SMB merchants as to their satisfaction with payment processors. Here are the results and our analysis.

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]]> BNPL Competition Drives Wins for Merchants https://www.practicalecommerce.com/bnpl-competition-drives-wins-for-merchants Sun, 14 Apr 2024 11:30:12 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1535377 The lines have blurred between buy-now pay-later providers and credit card issuers. The winners are merchants and consumers.

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]]> Card Issuers Are Top BNPL Providers, Survey Finds https://www.practicalecommerce.com/card-issuers-are-top-bnpl-providers-per-survey Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:00:01 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1534289 Credit card issuers offer BNPL options after the checkout. Consumers are responding.

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]]> Apple Pay Later Could Upend BNPL Space https://www.practicalecommerce.com/apple-pay-later-could-upend-bnpl-space Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:02:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1519635 Apple Pay Later is poised to capture serious market share in the buy now, pay later space. Merchants could benefit.

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]]> Trouble Brewing for Buy Now, Pay Later Providers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/trouble-brewing-for-buy-now-pay-later-providers Tue, 17 Jan 2023 11:50:46 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1516847 Consumers love buy now, pay later programs. But after rapid growth, the industry is staggering under rising interest rates, delinquent borrowers, and overexpansion.

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]]> Charts: Global Payments Trends and Outlook https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-global-payments-trends-and-outlook Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:26:44 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1510890 Funding decreased in Q2 2022 for payment technology companies. Nonetheless, much innovation is afoot. We tell the story in this week's charts.

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]]> Charts: Cryptocurrency Trends in Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-cryptocurrency-trends-in-ecommerce Wed, 27 Jul 2022 13:08:31 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1507199 Less than 20% of U.S. consumers have used cryptocurrencies for retail purchases. Most of those shoppers are younger and plan on increasing the use. We tell the story in this week's charts.

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]]> Does Ecommerce Need a New Payment System? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/does-ecommerce-need-a-new-payment-system Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:39:05 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1506069 Ecommerce payments in 2022 largely involve a Byzantine setup of intermediaries. Is now the time for a more efficient method of exchanging value?

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]]> Charts: Growth of Global Payments, Cryptocurrencies https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-growth-of-global-payments-cryptocurrencies Wed, 19 Jan 2022 15:02:51 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1498154 The shift to digital commerce has translated into a dramatic increase in global payment volume. In four charts, we illustrate historical and projected payments growth worldwide.

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]]> Expand Payment Options to Convert More https://www.practicalecommerce.com/expand-payment-options-to-convert-more Tue, 07 Dec 2021 13:36:39 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1363069 Essential features for many online stores in 2022 include enhanced chatbots, virtual product sampling, and real-time order tracking. But what happens once shoppers reach the checkout page is equally important. Plenty of issues — such as limited payment options — can interrupt the process.

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]]> Here’s Why PayPal Should Acquire Pinterest https://www.practicalecommerce.com/heres-why-paypal-should-acquire-pinterest Mon, 25 Oct 2021 04:00:08 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1219454 PayPal has denied published reports that it is interested in acquiring Pinterest. Nonetheless, if consummated, the transaction might be the first of many similar acquisitions as platforms seek vertical integration. In this post, I'll address why it makes sense for PayPal to buy Pinterest.

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]]> Stablecoin, CBDCs Could Improve Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/stablecoin-cbdcs-could-improve-ecommerce Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:38:48 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1192005 Digital currencies have the potential to expand ecommerce, lower transaction fees, eliminate chargebacks, and prevent fraud. So far, however, volatility and its fear have stopped most merchants and brands from accepting cryptocurrencies. But this could be changing.

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]]> Are Stablecoin and CBDCs the Future of Digital Currency? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/are-stablecoin-and-cbdc-the-future-of-digital-currency Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:54:09 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1180751 Stablecoin and central bank digital currences may offer the benefits of buying and selling with cryptocurrencies without the worrisome price swings. Blockchain-driven transactions could benefit the ecommerce industry.

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]]> An Introduction to NFTs https://www.practicalecommerce.com/an-introduction-to-nfts Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:59:38 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1081299 Non-fungible tokens are a hot topic. Some claim that NFTs are the future of artwork — viable, profitable investments. Detractors wonder if NFTs are a short-term novelty. In this post, I'll describe NFTs and how they are created, purchased, and sold.

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]]> 15 Mobile Payment Systems for Merchants https://www.practicalecommerce.com/mobile-payment-systems-for-merchants Tue, 10 Aug 2021 12:43:39 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=944292 Mobile payment systems provide flexibility to consumers and merchants while unifying online and offline operations. Here is a list of mobile payment services for merchants. There are point-of-sale systems, digital wallets, mobile hardware, software for mobile and web applications, and more.

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]]> The State of Cannabis Payments in U.S. https://www.practicalecommerce.com/the-state-of-cannabis-payments-in-u-s Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:20:38 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=799160 How does the cannabis industry flourish when it is banned by federal law, shunned by the credit card networks, and rejected by most banks? How do cannabis retailers accept payments when credit cards and merchant accounts are unavailable? I'll examine those questions and more in this post.

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]]> Will Central Banks Replace Cryptocurrencies? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/will-central-banks-replace-cryptocurrencies Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:21:53 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=615536 Last month, I explained why cryptocurrencies are not ready for mainstream retail. The reasons include rampant volatility, lack of regulation, and extraordinary risk. Aiming to bring stability, governments worldwide are considering central bank digital currencies — CBDCs.

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]]> 8 Reasons to Avoid Cryptocurrencies for Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/8-reasons-to-avoid-cryptocurrencies-for-ecommerce Sun, 18 Apr 2021 12:53:17 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=373163 Cryptocurrencies are hot news. Merchants may be wondering if cryptocurrencies are ready for mainstream ecommerce. The answer is no. Here’s why.

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]]> Pros, Cons of Credit Card Surcharges https://www.practicalecommerce.com/pros-cons-of-credit-card-surcharges Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:57:10 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=368313 Credit card processing is expensive. "Surcharging" allows merchants to recoup some of the cost by passing a fee to customers at the point of sale. In this post, I’ll explain surcharging. I’ll address the rules and the pros and cons for merchants wishing to apply surcharges as a way of recovering processing fees.

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]]> Digital Payments in China Are Cheap and Convenient https://www.practicalecommerce.com/digital-payments-in-china-are-cheap-and-convenient Tue, 02 Feb 2021 23:27:51 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=367306 In "China Is Dominating Ecommerce," contributor Marcia Kaplan addressed that country's innovation in online shopping. Digital payments in China are equally innovative. I'll address what that could mean for North American merchants in this post.

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]]> What Merchants Should Know about ISOs https://www.practicalecommerce.com/what-merchants-should-know-about-isos Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:39:26 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=366041 The pandemic-induced shift to online and contactless payments has been a boon for credit card providers and their sales agents. The industry depends on those agents, called "independent sales organizations." In this post, I will examine the role of ISOs.

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]]> Does Buy Now, Pay Later Threaten Credit Card Issuers? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/does-buy-now-pay-later-threaten-credit-card-issuers Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:14:53 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=364550 Capital One recently announced that it will ban the use of its credit cards to fund buy-now-pay-later transactions. According to a Capital One spokesperson, BNPL transactions “can be risky for customers and the banks that serve them.” In this article, I will examine Capital One’s claim.

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