E-commerce in France 2025: payment innovations to anticipate to stay competitive

In 2024, e-commerce in France reached a record turnover of €175.3 billion , which is +9.6% compared to 2023 according to Fevad (source). For 2025, forecasts indicate that this figure could cross the symbolic threshold of €200 billion, driven by a +10% increase in transaction volumes.

However, behind this growth lies a less glorious reality: 1 in 2 consumers has already abandoned their cart due to a poor payment experience. For industry players, the challenge is no longer just to sell, but to turn every transaction into a driver of loyalty and profitability. An analysis of the changes to implement now.

Instant payments: the new regulatory standard and business opportunity

Since January 2025, instant credit transfers have been mandatory for incoming payments in the EU, requiring providers to transfer funds in under 10 seconds, 24/7This revolution, driven by regulation COM(2022)546, goes beyond simple compliance: it offers e-merchants an unprecedented cash flow advantage. However, this opportunity comes with risks. Those who lag behind will be exposed,  starting in October 2025, to sanctions from the ACPR, while agile players will capture market share through a more seamless customer experience.

The Werosolution, developed by theEuropean Payments Initiative (EPI), aims to capture 15% of the European market share by 2027, according to Les Échos (source).

BNPL 3.0: when responsible credit becomes a conversion tool

"Buy Now, Pay Later" is evolving under the impetus of the European directive 2023/2225, which strictly regulates pricing transparency and creditworthiness assessments. Players like Klarna or Alma are now integrating AI algorithms to analyze buyers' financial profiles in real time, thereby reducing default risks. This regulatory maturity opens up strategic opportunities. Brands that offer BNPL 3.0 on premium product lines are seeing a 35% increase in their average basket size (Kantar). 

Open Banking, AI, and payment ethics: technological pillars

The rise ofOpen Banking is directly linked to the implementation of the PSD2directive, which authorizes the sharing of banking data via secure APIs. This model enables direct transfers, which are less expensive than card payments, and limits fraud risks. The directive PSD3, currently being finalized, will strengthen these practices starting late 2025, according to the European Commission (source).

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in securing payments. According to Juniper Research, AI in fraud prevention could save businesses up to $10.4 billion annually worldwide by 2026.

Open Banking, AI, and PSD3: Towards smarter and more secure payments

The development of Open Banking, initiated by the PSD2 directive, now enables direct transfers via API, which are more cost-effective and secure than card payments. PSD3, expected by late 2025, will strengthen these practices, particularly regarding consent management and fraud prevention.

Artificial intelligence, meanwhile, has become a pillar of payment security. According to Juniper Research, AI tools applied to fraud prevention could generate $10.4 billion in annual savings worldwide by 2026. Better protected, payments are also more seamless and better contextualized, boosting the performance of customer journeys.

Emerging new practices: biometrics, crypto, and virtual cards

Biometric payments are booming. According to the 2024 report from Goode Intelligence, more than 3.1 billion users worldwide will use biometrics to authenticate transactions by the end of 2025 

The adoption of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in e-commerce is also accelerating. According to Crypto.com and Cointelegraph Research, 15% of e-commerce sites in Europe are expected to accept at least one stablecoin (such as USDT or EURC) by the end of 2025. 

The virtual burner cards, offered by fintechs such as Revolut or Qonto, are increasingly being used to limit data theft and fraud. These single-use or short-lived cards are recommended by organizations such as ANSSI in its cybersecurity practices (source).

Finally, financial super-apps such as Lydia, Revolut or Klarna, consolidate multiple services (payments, cashback, budgeting, credit, savings) within a single interface. This model, which dominates in Asia, is beginning to gain traction in Europe according to the McKinsey (2024) report on fintechs (source).

 Payment orchestration: the secret weapon for agile e-retailers

In an increasingly fragmented payment ecosystem, orchestration is becoming essential. These platforms unify all payment methods (mobile, online, in-store) while optimizing customer journeys based on local preferences, purchase history, and user behavior.

They also ensure regulatory compliance (PSD3, GDPR, PCI DSS, etc.) and facilitate the implementation of new solutions such as BNPL, digital wallets, or stablecoins. In short: they turn complexity into performance.

2025, the year of boldness

French e-commerce is entering a new era defined by the convergence of technology, regulation, and ethical standards. The rise of players like Wero, the rise of instant and biometric payments, and the gradual integration of cryptocurrencies are permanently transforming consumer habits.

Faced with a more informed, mobile, and engaged consumer, e-retailers must be agile, innovative, and responsible to remain competitive in an increasingly internationalized and regulated market.

French e-commerce is entering a phase of profound transformation. Technological unification, regulatory requirements, and the ethics of payment journeys require e-retailers to evolve quickly… and effectively.

In this context, mastering payments is becoming a decisive strategic advantage. 

Brands that can intelligently integrate these innovations—from BNPL 3.0 to instant payments, AI, and biometrics—will be the ones that gain in loyalty, margins… and market share.