Worldpay, now part of Global Payments, has unveiled its 2026 Global Payments Report, revealing that the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region remains the global leader in digital wallet adoption. In 2025, digital wallets accounted for 77% of online spending, totalling $2.7t, and 63% of in-person spending, amounting to $6.3t, the highest shares globally. The report also highlights the rapid growth of account-to-account (A2A) payments across Southeast Asia, driven by robust national payment systems.The report underscores the transformative impact of digital wallets in countries like India and South Korea, where they are set to overtake traditional card payments by 2030. In Singapore, cards account for 44% of e-commerce ($10.8b) and 40% of POS ($55b) spend in 2025. Digital wallets follow closely at 40% ($10b) and 36% ($49b) respectively. In Hong Kong, digital wallets have surpassed cards as the leading payment method, marking a significant milestone.
Phil Pomford, General Manager of Global eCommerce for APAC at Global Payments, noted, “Asia’s payment landscape is evolving faster than anywhere else in the world.”
A2A payments are gaining traction, particularly in Thailand, where the government’s PromptPay system is a key driver. The popularity of QR code systems is further propelling A2A growth, offering a low-cost, intuitive payment method that is becoming increasingly interoperable across the region. In Singapore, the PayNow system is contributing to the rise of A2A payments, projected to account for 13% of e-commerce and 15% of point-of-sale transactions by 2030.
The report highlights the ongoing evolution of Asia’s payment landscape, with digital wallets and A2A payments reshaping consumer and business transactions. As these trends continue, they are expected to redefine cross-border trade and digital commerce in the region.
