How to Understand Merchant Payment Processing Statements
Understanding your payment processing statement is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs, spot issues, and keep your business running smoothly. Most merchants…
PAYMENTS RESEARCH
Payments Research and Industry Data
Research and practical analysis on payment costs, merchant economics and the technology behind transactions.
Research archive · Page 3
Card Brands vs Card Networks in Payment Processing
For most merchants, “Visa,” “Mastercard,” or “Amex” are just logos on a terminal screen. Behind those logos lies a comprehensive ecosystem of brands, networks,…
Average Payment Processing Fees by Card Type (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Interac) in Canada 2025
Payment processing fees are one of the most overlooked expenses for businesses. For many retail, restaurant, and service merchants operating on thin margins, a…
Visa vs. Solana: Which Payment Rails Move Money Faster?
When you tap your card at a coffee shop or send crypto across the world, you’re using two very different payment systems. One is…
What are PCI Non-Compliance Fees?
When your business accepts credit or debit cards, adhering to the PCI DSS (“Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard”) is non-negotiable. Failure to validate…
How Much Are Payment Processing Fees in the USA in 2025?
Accepting credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets is table stakes now. In the United States, more than 80 percent of in-store transactions and…
What PCI Compliance Means for Your Business (In Plain English)
Running a business today means dealing with payments. If you accept credit or debit cards, you’re part of a global system that depends on…
How to Handle Seasonal Spikes in Transaction Volume: A Merchant’s Guide
For many merchants, sales don’t flow at a steady pace year-round. Instead, they surge during certain months, holidays, or promotional periods, whether it’s Black…
The Future of Interchange Fees: 2026 and Beyond
Interchange fees make up a large share of the cost merchants pay to accept credit and debit cards. These fees are set by card…
What Is the Average Credit Card Acceptance Rate?
Every credit card transaction tells a story. A customer decides to buy, they tap or type in their card details, and the merchant waits…
What Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) Means for Your Business
If your business accepts Visa credit or debit cards, you’re part of a global payments ecosystem that depends on trust, security, and compliance. Visa’s…
Which Payment Methods Do Most Businesses Accept in 2025?
Consumers expect to pay instantly, securely, and however they prefer, whether it’s a tap, a phone, or even a crypto wallet. Across North America,…
What is the Average Transaction Size in Payments by Sector in 2025?
In 2025, the average transaction size, sometimes called average order value (AOV) or average ticket, or average transaction size (ATS), varies a lot by…
The Payments Ecosystem in 2025: Processors, Acquirers, ISOs, Fraud Solutions, & Merchant Services
Every time a consumer taps their phone, swipes a card, or clicks “buy now,” they trigger one of the world’s most complex financial systems.…
How Big Is the Payment Processing Market by Region in 2025?
The payment processing industry is the engine of global commerce. In 2025, the sector is projected to generate between $60 billion and $140 billion…
How Long Does It Take Merchants to Get Paid from Credit Card Sales?
When a customer pays by credit card, the money does not instantly appear in the merchant’s bank account. Instead, transactions must go through several…
How Many Businesses in the US and Canada Accept Credit Cards in 2025?
Credit cards are one of the most widely used payment methods in North America. For consumers, they provide convenience, security, and rewards. For merchants,…
How to Slash Credit Card Processing Fees in 2025: A Merchant’s Guide to Transparent Payment Solutions
In 2025, merchants are projected to lose over $120 billion globally to credit card processing fees and chargebacks, yet 70% of businesses overpay due…
Inside the World of Organized Credit Card Fraud: Losses, Tactics, and Real Cases
Credit card fraud is not just the work of isolated criminals. Today, much of it is driven by organized fraud rings, sophisticated groups that…
Visa Chargeback Monitoring Program (VCMP): What Merchants Need to Know
Chargebacks are one of the most expensive challenges in payments. They don’t just mean lost revenue; they also come with fees, operational costs, and…
Payment Gateway Integration Guide for Small Businesses
If you run a business that accepts payments online, the way your checkout works can determine whether a sale is completed or lost. Customers…
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