Payments Research and Industry Data
Maintained to reflect market changes, statistics, network rules, pricing structures, and prevailing cost dynamics.
Most Recent Analysis
Payment Processing for Accountants and Accounting Firms
An accounting firm can finish a tax return on time and still spend weeks collecting the fee. A client forgets a cheque, an invoice gets buried in email, or a monthly bookkeeping payment needs another reminder. Payment processing should make those moments easier without creating more reconciliation work for the
How Long Do Credit Card Payments Take to Settle?
Credit card payments typically take 1–3 business days to settle, although some transactions can settle as quickly as the next business day. The exact timing
October 12, 2026
List of Payment Processors in the USA and Canada
Businesses in the United States and Canada have hundreds of payment processing providers to choose from, including merchant account providers, acquiring banks, payment facilitators, ISOs,
September 18, 2026
Moneris Alternatives & Competitors in 2026
Moneris is one of Canada’s best-known payment processors, but it isn’t the only option. Canadian businesses comparing payment providers may want to consider pricing structure, contract
August 17, 2026
What Are Level 2 and Level 3 Interchange Programs?
If your business accepts payments from other businesses, government agencies, or large organizations, you may be paying more in credit card processing fees than necessary.
August 5, 2026
Payment Processing for Distributors: How to Reduce Credit Card Fees
Payment processing has become an increasingly important part of running a distribution business. As more commercial buyers expect to pay by credit card, virtual card,
July 24, 2026
Stripe vs Traditional Merchant Accounts: True Cost Comparison
Spoiler: Processing rates are only one piece of the puzzle. Many businesses choose a payment processor based on a simple comparison: 2.9% + 30¢ sounds
July 7, 2026
Best Payment Processing for Contractors (2026 Guide)
Whether you’re an electrician, plumber, HVAC company, roofer, landscaper, painter, home renovator, or general contractor, getting paid quickly matters. Contractors often pay for labour, materials,
June 30, 2026
Why Merchant Acquiring is Consolidating Around Distribution, Not Technology
The payments industry has spent decades investing in technology. Processors built massive infrastructure platforms. Acquirers invested billions in connectivity, security, compliance, hardware certifications, and payment
June 22, 2026
Canadian Credit Card Statistics 2025: Usage, Spending, Debt & Payment Trends
More than $850 billion flowed through Canadian credit cards in 2025. That works out to approximately $2.3 billion every day, $97 million every hour, and
June 18, 2026
The Hidden Economics Behind Interchange Fees
When a customer taps, inserts, or enters a credit card online, the transaction appears almost instantaneous. A receipt is generated, funds begin moving, and the
June 15, 2026
How Much Revenue Can a Software Company Generate from Embedded Payments
For many software companies, subscription (SaaS) revenue has traditionally been the primary business model. Customers pay a monthly or annual fee to access the platform,
June 11, 2026
The Economics of a $100 Online Transaction in 2026
Every day, millions of online purchases move through a global payments infrastructure that most consumers never see. A customer clicks “Buy Now”, receives an approval
May 31, 2026
AI Agents Will Eventually Need Native Payment Rails
Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from a passive assistant into an active participant in the economy. Today, AI systems summarize documents, answer questions, generate code,
May 20, 2026
What Merchant Churn Looks Like by Vertical, 2026 Industry Report
Key Takeaways Merchant churn can vary by more than 5x depending on vertical, with professional services below 10% annual logo churn while high-risk ecommerce categories
May 10, 2026
Payment Facilitator vs ISO: What’s the Difference?
The payments industry has changed dramatically over the last decade. Businesses can now start accepting payments in minutes, software platforms are embedding financial services directly
May 7, 2026
Payments for Dentists in Canada (2026 Guide): Fees, Systems, and How to Reduce Costs
Key Takeaways: Dental clinics typically pay between 1.5% and 3.0% in total payment processing fees depending on card mix and setup Insurance-driven billing creates delayed
April 29, 2026
Best Payment Processors in USA (2026): Fees, Features & Comparison Table
Choosing a payment processor in the U.S. is less about finding a single “best” option and more about matching the right pricing model and infrastructure
April 19, 2026
Payment Systems Architecture (2026): Flows, Infrastructure, and Business Models
Payment processing is often described in simple terms, charging a card, receiving funds, and reconciling transactions. In practice, modern payment systems are far more complex,
April 13, 2026
Best Payment Processors in Canada (2026): Fees, Features & Comparison Table
Choosing the right payment processor in Canada can materially impact your margins. Fees vary widely, contracts can be restrictive, and pricing models are often difficult
April 10, 2026
Debit vs Credit Card Processing Fees in Canada: 2026 Cost Breakdown for Merchants
If you run a business in Canada, understanding payment processing fees can have a direct impact on your margins. Many merchants assume debit and credit
April 7, 2026
How Payment Processing Works And What It Costs You
Payment processing feels simple on the surface. A customer taps a card. You get paid. Behind the scenes, however, multiple banks, networks, risk systems, and
March 12, 2026