Financial swindling is increasing at a global level, with certain country exceptions, though new machine-learning technologies are proving key in the fight against fraud.

Payment in cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly common, but even with the existence of stablecoins, it is not without its risks.

Consumers now have access to real-time payments through the PayTo system, with business access to follow, generating a host of advantages.

There are good reasons for most countries to improve cross-border payment efficiencies, though that desire is complicated by technical and legal issues. But new forms of digital money potentially open up some interesting new channels.

The markets are entering a period of disruption, both positive and negative, but ICMA chief executive Bryan Pascoe believes they can weather the storm and adapt in key areas.

Demand for gold-backed payments is on a sharp upward trend as customers look for stability, with regulators’ attention likely to draw in.

Huge growth in digital payments during the Covid-19 pandemic points to a longer-term trend, with physical payments set to gradually wane.

In the world of digitalisation, old trade issues have new consequences. What work is being done, what will a digitised trade finance ecosystem solve and what is needed for benefits to be realised? 

New contenders are challenging the dominance of Swift in the cross-border payments space, compelling it to improve on its flaws.

African nations are at the vanguard of the new movement towards central bank digital currencies, in a desperate bid to regain the initiative in the wake of rising cryptocurrency usage across the continent.