Saying the payment processing landscape evolves fast is an understatement. Such a fast-moving industry can leave any agent or Independent Sales Organization (ISO) reeling. Fortunately, you can help ensure you’re riding a wave of success by understanding and capitalizing on merchant services portfolio trends in 2025.
Velocity Funding is an experienced leader in the merchant account purchasing industry. With so much happening, let us be your trusted resource for understanding trends in credit card processing portfolios.
We’ll cover all the top merchant services portfolio trends in 2025, including:
- A closer look at the buy now, pay later (BNPL) expansion
- Why digital wallets and super apps make a great pair
- The ever-quickening rise of cryptocurrency payments into the mainstream
- Why consumers and businesses want omnichannel payments
- How AI-driven payments are improving merchant services
- The takeover of contactless payments and biometric authentication
1. Digital Wallets and Super Apps Make Mainstream Moves
What people only imagined about paying with smartphones is now a reality, thanks to services such as Samsung Pay, Google Wallet, and Apple Pay. There’s no denying the convenience of quickly tapping your smartphone instead of getting out a wallet or purse and fumbling with credit or debit cards.
More recently, super apps and digital wallets have combined to offer seamless, fast, and convenient purchasing experiences. As this wave of momentum hits the merchant services industry, demand increases for processors that can support digital wallet integrations, ideally across multiple platforms.
For ISOs and agents, having portfolios with merchants ready to integrate with super apps and digital wallets is a major plus. Having these merchants in your portfolio now can make it stand out above the rest before others capitalize on this 2025 merchant services portfolio trend.
2. Cryptocurrency Payments Continue Gaining Ground
While it may not have had the smoothest history, cryptocurrency continues carving out a fast-growing space on its path to mainstream popularity. Even compared to several years ago, companies and people are using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins to pay for online services, tech products, and luxury goods.
We can’t predict if or when cryptocurrency payments will take over the world of currency. However, keeping up to date on the future crypto-payment options could mean sizable portfolio growth in the not-so-distant future.
Keeping up with this 2025 merchant services portfolio trend is a bit easier than that. Occasionally peeking in on terminal technology that will be crypto enabled or apps that are accepting crypto could lead to your portfolio’s overall worth skyrocketing.
3. Omnichannel Payments Skyrocket Valuations
In the distant past, companies offering mobile apps were at the forefront of the retail industry. However, as shoppers have grown accustomed to convenient shopping experiences, they are now pushing for a seamless payment journey across every possible touchpoint. An omnichannel system can enable customers to pay in person, while browsing a company’s website, and when using the brand’s mobile app.
Platforms like Authorize.net, Clover, and Pay Anywhere are a few major brands that make omnichannel payments possible for companies of any size, including small businesses, which now have another way to compete with much larger corporations.
4. AI-Driven Payments Transform Business Operations
AI is everywhere. So, it is no surprise that AI will be involved in merchant services portfolio trends in 2025. Companies utilize AI technology to aid in fraud detection and chargeback management. Another example is artificial intelligence powering dynamic routing systems to optimize transaction paths.
However, AI’s role in the merchant services industry goes far beyond preventing fraud. Companies also utilize AI to develop more innovative inventory management tools, leading to fewer product shortages and reduced overstocking. Payment processors are increasingly leveraging AI by using its machine learning algorithms to provide real-time transaction approvals and personalized marketing messages.
As more companies continue to adopt AI-powered systems, those that don’t will quickly risk falling behind. As an agent or ISO, now could be an ideal time to help merchants explore how AI can help them save time, effort, and money. Having your merchants on board with AI can create an enticing credit card processing portfolio for many potential buyers, especially those focused on the future.
As you delve into AI and its role in merchant services portfolio trends in 2025, it’s also beneficial to pay attention to the growing influence of regulatory compliance in this field. State and federal agencies are likely to continue sharpening their focus on protecting consumers and ensuring the security of transactions.
5. Contactless Payments and Biometric Authentication Are Quickly Becoming Standard
Swiping credit or debit cards and entering PINs could soon be a thing of the past if 2025 merchant services portfolio trends are anything to go by. As consumers have noticed in recent years, many card-based payment systems will accept a quick tap, gathering a card’s information by scanning a small chip. While tap-to-pay cards remain popular, the future could make paying for goods and services even easier.
Mobile apps now support facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and voice authentication to confirm purchases, providing a higher level of security while maintaining fast checkout processes. This shift toward biometric verification isn’t only convenient. It’s also helpful for reducing fraud, a common problem in the payment processing industry.
Merchants that adopt these technologies position themselves as ready for the future, which increases the long-term appeal of their portfolios. If your merchants use outdated terminals or deal with other issues preventing them from offering contactless payments, now’s the time to change that.
Contact Velocity Funding for Help With Your Merchant Services Portfolio
We hope this look at the top 2025 merchant services portfolio trends sets you up for success this year and beyond. These trends are more than catchy headlines—they’re critical indicators of where the merchant services industry is heading. Whether helping clients implement AI-driven payments, contactless payments, or biometric authentication, these actions could lead to significant boosts in your residual income.
Now is the time to future-proof your portfolio. While that might sound intimidating, it’s easier than you might think. Take the first step and contact Velocity Funding. We understand how much time and effort it takes to stay on top of trends in such a fast-paced industry.
Whether you’re ready to sell your portfolio or just want insight into merchant services portfolio trends in 2025, Velocity Funding is ready to help. Contact us online by clicking or tapping the button below. You can also call Velocity Funding at (888) 818-3552.
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Dean Caso is a Managing Partner at Velocity Funding, which he founded with this company’s other Managing Partner, David Caso, in 2006. Caso graduated in 1983 from Babson College with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Investments. With over 35 years of experience, Caso has acquired over 300 credit card processing portfolios. He has a superior eye for opportunity and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Caso’s leadership instills confidence, fosters innovation, and inspires those under his professional command. His decades of industry experience and proven track record of success continue to drive Velocity Funding’s growth and industry-leading presence.