The mobile payment industry enables instant digital transactions through smartphones, including wallets, QR codes, and contactless methods that promote financial inclusion and reduce cash dependency. In 2025, targeted innovations and growth metrics from the Philippines, Spain, and Malawi illustrate this sector’s global momentum.
NMSC Viewpoint:
The global Mobile Payment Market size is predicted to reach USD 201.39 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 13.5% from 2023 to 2030. As a market research company tracking fintech ecosystems, we draw exclusively from November 2025 announcements to highlight merchant empowerment, usage intensification, and subscriber saturation.
What patterns emerge from these regional snapshots? Let us delve in.
How Does GCash’s PocketPay Transform Smartphones into Secure Terminals for MSMEs?
GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app, partnered with global payment solutions provider BPC to launch PocketPay, a card-present acceptance solution that turns any compatible NFC-enabled Android device into a payment acceptance point. Powered by BPC’s SmartVista platform, it supports Visa and Mastercard contactless payments, GCash closed-loop QR, and national QRPH standards, unifying channels for merchants.
This initiative targets over 6 million Filipino businesses, merchants, and social sellers, and social sellers in the GCash for Business ecosystem. It eliminates the need for expensive point-of-sale hardware, allowing merchants to track payments via the GCash for Business Portal with no wallet limit on receiving cashless payments, and no transaction fee for supplier payments. The modular, cloud-ready design facilitates rapid certification with international schemes and seamless API integrations.
Jong Layug, general manager of GCash for Business at G-Xchange, Inc., noted: “We always work to provide meaningful digital finance solutions that empower people, organizations, and the nation. With BPC’s SmartVista acquiring platform, we can stand up to our promise and provide modern payment acceptance. This product democratizes access to digital payment portals, which can often be intimidating for MSMEs.” Pallav Malik, BPC account manager for GCash, added: “We’re proud to power GCash for Business acquiring journey and to help in driving digitalisation through Filipino communities.”
From an analytical perspective, PocketPay exemplifies the mobile payment market’s focus on barrier reduction in emerging economies, where internet access now covers over two-thirds of the population. This fostering network effects that enhance interoperability and position the Philippines as a benchmark for inclusive QR and NFC adoption in Southeast Asia.
PocketPay empowers Filipino merchants with accessible digital tools.
- It converts Android devices into versatile payment terminals.
- It unifies card, QR, and contactless options without hardware costs.
- In essence, it propels the nationwide shift to a cash-lite economy.
Why Has CaixaBank Seen a 34.4% Jump in Mobile Payment Transactions?
CaixaBank announced, that it has 4.85 million mobile payment customers, with both the customer base and transaction volume up to 100.7 million mobile payment transactions in June 2025, up 34.4 % vs June 2024. This growth encompasses integrations with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and CaixaBank’s own wristbands and mobile apps.
Analytical evaluation underscores that in mature markets such as Spain, this 34.4% transaction surge—aligning with customer growth—indicates a deepening of habitual use beyond initial sign-ups. Our research suggests this will elevate mobile payments of Spain’s card transactions by 2027, creating opportunities for embedded services like loyalty programs and instant financing. 38 % of card purchases are now made via mobile devices or wearables.
CaixaBank’s metrics highlight sustained momentum in European digital payments.
- They reflect parallel 34.4% growth in users and transactions.
- They emphasize secure, seamless integrations across platforms.
- Ultimately, they signal mobile as the preferred method over traditional cards.
What Fuels Malawi’s Milestone of 20.1 Million Mobile Money Subscribers?
Malawi achieved 20.1 million registered mobile money subscribers by June 2025, a 13.95% increase from 17.6 million in the prior quarter, equivalent to full adult population coverage. Males comprise 55.31% and females 44.69% of subscribers, with agent networks expanding 19.94% to 656,276 total and 22.23% to 412,862 active over 90 days.
Transactions break down as airtime top-ups at 44.5%, cash-in/cash-out at 33.4%, person-to-person at 9.1%, and merchant payments at 7.2%, though 90-day activity dipped to 52.14%. Complementary rises include mobile banking subscribers at 1.8 million, with 23.16% transaction volume growth and 34.6% value increase.
Growth drivers encompass agent expansions in urban and semi-urban areas, user education for inclusion—particularly among women—and the convenience of digital platforms for everyday needs. In analytical terms, this saturation in Malawi demonstrates the mobile payment market’s leapfrog potential in underserved regions.
Malawi’s subscriber peak underscores transformative digital access.
- It covers the entire adult population with 13.95% quarterly growth.
- It expands agents and complements banking uptake.
- Collectively, it advances financial inclusion despite activity challenges.
Mobile Payment Highlight
Region
Date (2025)
Key Metric
Growth Driver
GCash PocketPay Launch
Philippines
Nov 18
NFC for 6M+ MSMEs
Hardware-free terminals via SmartVista
CaixaBank Expansion
Spain
Nov 18
5M users, +34.4% transactions
User experience enhancements
Malawi Subscriber Milestone
Africa
June (reported Nov 18)
20.1M registrations
Agent network and education initiatives
From our market research perspective, these 2025 developments—PocketPay’s MSME focus, CaixaBank’s velocity gains, and Malawi’s coverage—reveal a multifaceted mobile payment trajectory. Emerging areas tackle entry barriers for inclusion, while established ones amplify engagement, collectively forecasting 20-30% global expansion through interoperable, low-friction innovations.
Next Steps: Actionable Takeaways for Mobile Payment Stakeholders
Implement these insights for strategic advantage:
- Launch Device-Agnostic Solutions: Develop NFC/QR hybrids like PocketPay to onboard MSMEs at 50% lower costs.
- Incentivize Usage Depth: Mirror CaixaBank by rewarding frequent transactions to boost per-user activity 30%.
- Strengthen Agent Ecosystems: Expand rural networks as in Malawi to activate 50%+ of subscribers for commerce.
- Promote Gender and Rural Equity: Target initiatives for women and remote users to close representation gaps.
- Diversify Transaction Types: Shift from airtime/cash to merchant flows, aiming for 20% uplift in digital commerce.
About the Author
Prakhyat Chowdhury is a dedicated SEO Executive and Content Writer with strong expertise in digital marketing and organic growth strategy. With a keen understanding of search algorithms, keyword research, and on-page optimization, he focuses on creating high-impact content that strengthens online visibility and drives measurable engagement. Prakhyat combines analytical thinking with creative execution, ensuring every piece of content aligns with user intent and business objectives. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys exploring new technologies, following market trends, and engaging in activities that fuel continuous learning and creativity. The author can be reached out at info@nextmsc.com.
