The Paypers has released the Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025, designed to enlighten both traditional payment providers and Web 3 innovators about the latest trends shaping future payments.
Why this report?
The Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025 – Insights for Banks, Merchants, and PSPs bridges the gap between traditional finance and Web 3 by exploring how businesses and consumers can harness Web 3 payment options like stablecoins, tokens, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to facilitate faster, more efficient cross-border money transfers. We adopt a bidirectional approach: demystifying legacy payment processes for Web 3 innovators and introducing modern technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain to traditional players to foster mutual understanding.
The report also delves into core payment functions like authorization, clearing, and settlement to help all stakeholders navigate the evolving payments landscape with confidence.
The context
In 2025, refining knowledge around digital payments is more crucial than ever. Technological advancements, innovative approaches to established processes, and evolving regulations are propelling innovation forward. The geopolitical landscape also contributes to this momentum.
Triple-A reports that global cryptocurrency ownership surged to 560 million users in 2024, creating ample opportunities for both merchants and consumers. Cryptorefills research indicates that 80% of crypto shoppers now prefer stablecoins over volatile assets like Bitcoin or Ether. BVNK processed USD 12 billion in annualized stablecoin payment volume, while the global stablecoin market capitalization exceeded USD 200 billion by early 2025. Traditional players are also moving forward; SG-FORGE accelerated the rollout of its EUR CoinVertible stablecoin in 2024.
Overall, blockchain and digital assets are transforming the financial system’s infrastructure, offering improved automation, faster settlement, better services, and lower transaction costs.
Key themes explored in the report
From Legacy Systems to Decentralised Frontiers: Redefining Payment Ecosystems for the Modern Era – traditionally, traditional financial systems (TradFi) have been centralised, heavily regulated, and offered familiar services such as loans, savings accounts, and investments. However, blockchain technology and decentralised finance (DeFi) are now presenting compelling use cases that address some of TradFi’s inefficiencies.
The Evolution of Digital Ledgers: from Siloes to Seamless Interconnectivity – financial institutions are progressing beyond pilot projects toward full-scale implementation of blockchain systems. By 2025, major banks are expected to operate interconnected ledger networks for cross-border payments and settlements, driven by the rise of CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenised assets.
From Crypto-Remote to Crypto-Inside: How PSPs are Adopting Stablecoins – in 2022, many in the payments industry saw stablecoins as a distant possibility. Fast forward to 2024, and stablecoin adoption is accelerating, with annual transfer volumes reaching USD 27.6 trillion, surpassing those of Visa and Mastercard. Regulatory support, institutional interest, and market competition are driving PSPs deeper into digital assets.
How to Integrate Crypto Payments into Your Business – as consumer demand for crypto payment options rises, businesses looking to attract high-value customers are embracing digital currencies. Cryptorefills data shows a growing number of users spending crypto on everyday goods, with stablecoins becoming the preferred choice for routine transactions.
Ushering in the Future of Crypto Payments with Stablecoins – stablecoins are becoming essential in payments, remittances, DeFi, and cross-border transactions. Their price stability ensures smooth fund transfers without value loss, making them a trusted option for consumers and businesses alike. Looking ahead, stablecoins will be central to global finance, tokenisation, and the evolution of DeFi.
Tokenization of Assets: New Payment Opportunities – the crypto market is expanding rapidly in both scale and global adoption, increasingly rivaling traditional payment methods. Banks are becoming more aware of this shift, with many moving quickly to launch crypto-related offerings, especially following the implementation of MiCA.
Navigating the Future of Digital Asset Regulation – clear digital asset regulation is key to ensuring consumer protection, financial stability, and fair competition. Without it, businesses face uncertainty, hindering growth and investment.
Exclusive in-house research: the Web 3 ecosystem landscape
The Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025 – Insights for Banks, Merchants, and PSPs includes exclusive research from The Paypers, featuring a detailed infographic that maps out the key players in the Web 3 payment ecosystem based on their capabilities. We’ve identified 10 core categories, each with subcategories, providing clear definitions and context for better understanding:
- Crypto Payment Infrastructure (Rails & PSPs)
- Wallets & Custody Solutions
- Crypto Exchanges & Trading Platforms
- Fiat On/Off-Ramps & Liquidity Providers
- DeFi (Decentralised Finance) & Lending/Borrowing Protocols
- Institutional & Regulated Crypto Services
- Compliance, Identity & Blockchain Security
- Web 3 Infrastructure & Middleware
- NFTs, Tokenisation & Digital Assets
- Emerging Sectors in Web 3 & Crypto
This comprehensive map serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to explore services and products within the Web 3 space.
Top industry collaborators
The Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025 – Insights for Banks, Merchants, and PSPs features expert insights and real-world examples from leading companies such as Avail, BVNK, Circle, Cryptorefills, Crystal Intelligence, Fireblocks, INNOPAY, Ripple, SG-FORGE, Triple-A, and industry expert Neira Jones.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our contributors and key media partners, Money Motion and UN:BLOCK 2025. Stay updated with the latest insights in Web 3 by downloading your free copy of the report.
