Uber

As long as we can create enough trust between the parties involved in a payment transaction, the system works, writes Francis Limousy, principal adviser for UL Transaction Security Advisory Services.

Both merchants and consumers still see the act of making a payment as a barrier and again look to technology to enhance the experience, writes Chris Koide, senior advisor and vice president of financial services for Bambora North America.

The ride-sharing service Uber is reportedly considering hiring a female chief executive to help it move past the reputational damage it suffered under ousted co-founder Travis Kalanick.

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Consumers are comfortable with push payments, which makes them a good fit to boost usage of digital wallets and other mobile payment options.

Contextual commerce is the next big thing in retail as the payments transaction slides to the background. But it relies on building sophisticated consumer relationships.

As consumers use digital channels more, merchants are under pressure to not only make payments seamless, but tie transactions to broader customer-facing and internal functions.

Uber and other digital commerce plays are drawing attention to online fraud and innovation. Payment companies and merchants will need to adjust to meet the pace of change in the year ahead.

The new year will ring in developments in the ways banks use chatbots and other artificial intelligence, and produce digital products and services.

India's cash crisis may threaten the country's traditional wedding season. Uber is attempting to solve some of the problem with a new car booking service.