9 B2B payment industry trends to get ahead of in 2025

Key takeaways:

• Businesses are rapidly adopting digital B2B payment solutions, including issuing their own corporate cards to track business spending and embedding finance to integrate payments.

• AI, automation, and real-time payments simplify transactions, enhance security, and reduce fraud risks.

• With cross-border payments surging, payment service providers (PSPs) are evolving their solutions into all-in-one financial platforms to meet business needs.

You’re not imagining it. The shift away from paper-based B2B payments, like cheques and cash, is opening the door to faster, more secure, and more efficient ways for businesses to send and receive payments.

For global businesses, modern payment systems pave the way for smoother operations, faster transactions, and easier international expansion.

From mobile wallets to real-time settlement, digital-first solutions are transforming how companies move money. With AI-powered fraud detection, embedded finance, and new regulations all gaining momentum, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year.

In this article, we explore the top B2B payment trends shaping the future. You’ll learn what’s driving the change, where the biggest opportunities lie, and how your business can stay one step ahead.

1. Digital payments replace traditional methods 

Businesses are embracing digital payments over paper-based methods like cheques and cash – not just to keep up, but to unlock faster transactions, stronger security, and greater operational efficiency. This shift is helping companies ease processes and focus more on growth than on paperwork.

Businesses have moved away from cheques due to processing delays, fraud risks, and high admin costs. For example, B2B cheque and cash transactions in the United States have fallen from 50% in 2019 to 32% in 2024.¹

In their place, businesses are adopting faster, more secure methods like wire transfers, ACH payments (US), SEPA (EU), and GIRO (Singapore and Malaysia), along with virtual corporate cards.

Digitising the process allows payment service providers to eliminate the need for physical cards, enabling instant issuance, easier expense tracking, and simplified online payments – making B2B transactions faster and more convenient.

What you can do: Switch to digital payments to reduce inefficiencies, cut fraud risks, and speed up transactions. With Airwallex, you can securely pay out to 150+ countries using our proprietary local payment network, enabling fast an cost-efficient global transactions.

2. Corporate cards enhance payment traceability 

As businesses prioritise financial transparency, corporate cards are becoming essential for managing payments and improving traceability. Without proper oversight, unchecked expenses can strain cash flow and disrupt operations.

Experts project the global corporate card market will hit US$82 trillion by 2027.² Features like real-time expense tracking, built-in fraud prevention, and simplified reconciliation drive this surge, and they help reduce administrative burdens.

Virtual corporate cards give you greater control over spending by enabling instant issuance and cancellation. This makes it easier to manage specific use cases, reduce the risk of misuse, and avoid the delays and admin burden of manual reimbursements – all while improving oversight and accountability.

What you can do: Implement a corporate card program to enhance payment traceability, improve financial oversight, and streamline expense management. Platforms like Airwallex allow you to issue virtual multi-currency Corporate Cards with advanced controls, helping you optimise cash flow and reduce fraud risks.

3. Embedded finance drives efficiency and growth

Embedded payments are reshaping how businesses handle transactions, with their global transaction value projected to hit US$2.5 trillion by 2028.³

By eliminating manual invoicing and payment delays, these integrated solutions enhance cash flow, reduce administrative costs, help to build solid relationships with other businesses, and create a strong customer experience – giving you a competitive edge.

B2B payment networks, ACH platforms, and fintech APIs are stepping in to close the gap between traditional banks and the modern needs of B2Bs.

The appetite for embedded financial solutions is clear⁴:

• 83% of small businesses want access to financial services within their software.

• 78% would pay more for the convenience of multiple services in one platform.

• 71% view embedded finance as essential for sustaining customer relationships.

The rise of invisible payments and fintech-driven solutions

Forward-thinking businesses no longer see payments as just a backend function – they see them as a strategic advantage.

But traditional banks weren’t built for this shift. Legacy systems are slow to adapt, which prevents businesses from embedding simple, invisible payment flows like in-app checkouts, automated invoicing, or real-time cross-border transactions.

That’s why more companies are turning to fintech. With flexible, API-driven solutions, fintechs empower your business to integrate financial services directly into their products and operations – easing payments, improving customer experiences, and unlocking new revenue opportunities.

Emerging regulations are reshaping embedded finance

New regulations around open banking and API standardisation are further accelerating embedded finance adoption. Embracing these technologies early can give your business a significant competitive advantage. Additionally, these regulations are fostering a more secure and transparent financial ecosystem, which can enhance customer trust and satisfaction. By staying ahead of the regulatory curve, businesses can not only comply with new requirements but also innovate more effectively, driving growth and differentiation in the market.

APIs are the key to embedded finance

APIs are unlocking new business opportunities by offering built-in financial services, from payments to treasury management. Integrate embedded finance solutions for more efficient operations and better cash flow.

What you can do: Try platforms like Airwallex. It offers APIs for built-in financial services – ranging from payments to expense management – directly within business applications. It also allows you to automate global payments and simplify expense management without relying on slow, legacy banking infrastructure.

4. Businesses are paying globally and seeking better solutions to do so   

Businesses are expanding internationally, sourcing supplies, hiring global talent, and working with vendors across multiple countries to stay competitive – driving a surge in cross-border payments.

By 2032, the global cross-border payments market will reach US$64.5 trillion for non-wholesale payments and US$255.6 trillion for wholesale payments,⁵ a 65% increase from 2024, as money movement breaks free from borders.

However, managing global transactions isn’t without challenges. For instance, 68% of UK businesses report having to use multiple tools and processes to handle spending across regions,⁶ which shows why businesses need unified digital payment methods.

What you can do: Adopt an all-in-one global payment solution that simplifies cross-border transactions, minimises fees, and offers competitive exchange rates.

Platforms like Airwallex let you pay suppliers and employees in 150+ countries from multi-currency Business Accounts. Using their extensive local payment network, you can reduce cross-border fees and foreign currency fees. It also gives you access to the interbank FX rate should you need to convert currencies.

5. PSPs are merging into different domains   

Payment service providers (PSPs) are updating their capabilities as companies expand beyond traditional payment processing. Strong competition⁷ within the industry has pushed PSPs to integrate broader financial services, including SaaS payment processing, expense management, and multi-currency business accounts.

Rather than functioning solely as transaction processors, many PSPs now offer a "one-stop shop" approach, providing access to key financial tools on a single platform.

For example PSPs are enabling businesses to offer embedded financial services directly through their own platforms – such as:

• Issuing virtual corporate cards

• Unlocking instant access to working capital

• Automating payment workflows within a unified ecosystem

Consolidating these services allows PSPs to reduce the need for you to juggle multiple providers.

What you can do: Choose a PSP that offers more than just payment processing. Look for all-in-one platforms that connect your business account with spend management, payment acceptance, and currency solutions to streamline your financial operations and improve cash flow efficiency.

6. Businesses are using AI and automation to secure B2B payments

Advancements in AI-driven payment technology are enhancing security, reducing fraud, and automating financial operations.

AI-driven fraud detection systems analyse transaction patterns in real time, identifying suspicious activity before it becomes a costly problem. With fraud-related losses from online transactions expected to reach US$46.1 billion by 2027,⁸ staying ahead means being able to handle high volumes of digital payments.

Additionally, automated invoice processing eliminates tedious data entry, which reduces errors and helps you pay on time.

What you can do: Leverage AI-powered payment solutions to boost security, cut administrative work, and optimise cash flow. Airwallex’s AI-driven fraud detection monitors transactions in real time, identifying and preventing suspicious activity before it happens.

7. Real-time payments transform cash flow and business transactions

The demand for instant B2B payments is accelerating as businesses move away from slow, traditional transfer processes. Waiting days for payments to clear can disrupt cash flow and hinder operations, prompting companies to embrace real-time payment (RTP) systems for faster and more efficient transactions.

Governments and financial institutions worldwide are investing in RTP infrastructure, such as FedNow in the US and RTP networks across Europe. By 2028, real-time payments will likely total nearly 600 billion transactions,⁹ accounting for 25% of all global electronic payments.

This shift helps your business reduce delays in supplier payments, improve vendor relationships, and get immediate access to better working capital efficiency.

What you can do: Leverage a global payments platform like Airwallex to access real-time payment solutions. 95% of Airwallex transfers arrive in as little as one business day, helping you stay competitive and ensuring faster transactions, better cash flow management, and seamless cross-border payments.

8. BNPL for B2B payments is gaining traction 

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) isn’t just for consumers anymore. Businesses are increasingly turning to B2B BNPL solutions to unlock working capital, manage cash flow, and improve flexibility in vendor relationships.

Small and mid-sized businesses can especially benefit from payment methods that provide upfront capital. BNPL allows you to extend payment terms on large purchases without relying on traditional credit lines – giving you breathing room to grow while keeping operations running smoothly.

In fact, the global B2B BNPL market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.2% between 2025 and 2030,¹⁰ driven by demand for short-term financing options and more flexible payment arrangements between buyers and suppliers.

What you can do: If your business works with suppliers or clients on high-value transactions, consider using a platform that offers B2B BNPL capabilities. For example, Airwallex integrates with financing partners to help extend flexible terms for both sides of a transaction, making it easier to grow without cash flow constraints.

9. Finance teams are consolidating tools to boost efficiency   

Modern finance teams are streamlining their tech stacks, bringing payments, payroll, expense tracking, and reconciliation into a single, integrated system. By consolidating tools, businesses can simplify workflows, reduce costs, and improve financial visibility across the board.

This unified approach helps eliminate data silos, reduce errors, and make it easier to stay compliant. With fewer platforms to manage and more reliable insights at their fingertips, finance teams can move faster and focus on strategic growth.

That’s why more businesses are consolidating their finance tools into all-in-one platforms that simplify financial operations from end to end.

What you can do: Evaluate your current finance stack. Are you using multiple tools for spend management, payments, and reconciliation? With Airwallex, you can manage global payments, issue employee cards, track expenses, and integrate with your accounting software – all from one unified platform.

Beyond 2025: Navigating the future of B2B payments

The future of B2B payments is fast, borderless, and intelligent. As a globalising business, you need an integrated financial solution that can easily facilitate B2B payments across borders.

Airwallex is leading this shift, powering 150,000 businesses worldwide with cutting-edge payment infrastructure. With a processing volume surpassing US$100 billion, Airwallex is redefining global financial operations by providing seamless cross-border transactions, multi-currency accounts, and competitive FX rates.

Backed by regulatory licences across key markets – including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada, and the European single market – Airwallex is building the financial operating system of the future.

Embracing these innovations will let your business unlock new efficiencies and expand its global reach. Explore Airwallex Payments today to future-proof your payment strategy.

Sources:

1. https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-b2b-payments-forecast-2024

2. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240913557434/en/US-Commercial-Payment-Cards-Trends-Report-2024-A-5.1-Trillion-Market-by-2027---Fintechs-Use-Niche-Expertise-to-Build-Out-Market-Presence---ResearchAndMarkets.com

3. https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/embedded-payment-transaction-value-to-surpass-25-trillion-globally-by-2028-a2a-to-be-a-significant-contributing-factor-for-growth/

4. https://www.airwallex.com/us/embedded-finance-opportunity-for-platforms-and-marketplaces

5. https://www.fxcintel.com/research/reports/how-big-is-the-b2b-cross-border-payments-market

6. https://www.airwallex.com/uk/report/spend-management-report

7. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/the-future-of-the-payments-industry-how-managing-risk-can-drive-growth

8. https://www.juniperresearch.com/research/fintech-payments/fraud-security/online-payment-fraud-research-report/

9. https://investor.aciworldwide.com/news-releases/news-release-details/global-real-time-payments-growth-sustainable-new-use-cases-push

10. https://www.fintechfutures.com/techwire/buy-now-pay-later-global-business-report-2025-bnpl-payments-to-grow-by-13-7-to-surpass-560-billion-this-year-driven-by-klarna-afterpay-paypal-and-affirm-forecast-to-2030