The Paypers has released the Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025, aimed at educating traditional payment players and Web 3 innovators about the latest advancements shaping future payments.
Why this report?
The Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025 – Key Insights for Banks, Merchants, and PSPs bridges the gap between traditional finance and Web 3 by exploring how businesses and consumers can leverage emerging payment options like stablecoins, tokens, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to achieve faster, more efficient cross-border transactions. The approach is bidirectional: it demystifies legacy payment processes for Web 3 innovators while introducing modern technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain to traditional players.
The report also provides a breakdown of core payment functions – authorisation, clearing, and settlement – helping stakeholders navigate the evolving payments landscape with confidence.
Context
In 2025, deepening understanding of digital payments is critical. Advancements in technology, innovative approaches to established processes, and evolving regulations are driving rapid innovation. The geopolitical environment also plays a significant role.
According to Triple-A, global cryptocurrency ownership reached 560 million users by the end of 2024, offering substantial opportunities for merchants and consumers. Research from Cryptorefills found that 80% of crypto shoppers prefer stablecoins over volatile assets like Bitcoin or Ether. BVNK processed $12 billion in annualised stablecoin payment volume, while the global stablecoin market cap surpassed $200 billion early in 2025. Traditional players are also engaging: SG-FORGE launched its EUR CoinVertible stablecoin in 2024.
Overall, blockchain and digital assets are redefining the financial system’s infrastructure by offering enhanced automation, faster settlements, better services, and reduced transaction costs.
Key Themes in the Report
From Legacy Systems to Decentralised Frontiers: Redefining Payment Ecosystems for the Modern Era– Traditionally, traditional financial institutions (TradFi) have been centralised, heavily regulated, and offered familiar services such as loans, savings accounts, and investments. However, blockchain technology and decentralised finance (DeFi) present new use cases that address inefficiencies in legacy systems.
The Evolution of Digital Ledgers: from Siloes to Seamless Interconnectivity– Financial institutions are moving 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 viewed stablecoins as a distant possibility. By 2024, stablecoin adoption was accelerating, with annual transfer volumes surpassing those of Visa and Mastercard at $27.6 trillion. Regulatory support, institutional interest, and market competition are driving PSPs into digital assets.
How to Integrate Crypto Payments into Your Business– As consumer demand for crypto payment options grows, businesses aiming to attract high-value customers are integrating digital currencies. Cryptorefills data shows a rising 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 essential in payments, remittances, DeFi, and cross-border transactions due to their price stability. They ensure 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, rivaling traditional payment methods. Banks are increasingly aware of this shift, with many quickly launching crypto-related offerings following the implementation of MiCA.
Navigating the Future of Digital Asset Regulation– Clear regulation is crucial for 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 – Key Insights for Banks, Merchants, and PSPs includes exclusive research from The Paypers. It features a detailed infographic mapping out the key players in the Web 3 payment ecosystem based on their capabilities. We’ve identified ten core categories, each with subcategories, providing clear definitions and context:
- 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 exploring services and products within the Web 3 space.
Top Industry Collaborators
The Web 3 Payment Acceptance Report 2025 – Key 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 from The Paypers’ website.