The cross-border payments industry is entering a structural shift. In 2026, growth won’t come from simply moving money faster or cheaper. It will come from building smarter, revenue-generating ecosystems around the transaction. 

In this article, we’ll cover: 

• How interoperability reduces friction and unlocks cleaner, faster processing 

• Revenue-driving add-ons that increase customer lifetime value 

• Why digital liquidity tools free up capital and improve margin control 

• How AI-driven optimisation protects revenue while lowering operational strain 

Let’s look at what’s really shaping the next phase. 

1. Interoperability Becomes the Baseline 

Cross-border payments still move through a web of banks, wallets, correspondent networks and clearing systems. When those systems aren’t well connected, payments slow down, data gets lost in translation, and manual intervention increases.  

In 2026, interoperability is becoming an expectation rather than an advantage. Institutions increasingly require infrastructure that allows them to connect with multiple partners, corridors and services through a unified framework — reducing complexity while enabling faster expansion.  

This is why hub-based connectivity models are gaining traction, enabling senders, receivers, payment gateways and verification layers to plug into a single ecosystem instead of operating in silos — an approach we’ve built into our own R1 Hub architecture to simplify global connectivity. 

Another key enabler of this shift is ISO 20022, the global messaging standard being adopted across major payment networks.  

Together, stronger connectivity and standardised messaging enable: 

• Scalable multi-corridor expansion without bespoke integrations 

• Cleaner data exchange across senders, payout partners and gateways 

• Reduced operational friction and exception handling 

• Faster reconciliation and improved straight-through processing 

Interoperability in 2026 is about building intelligent, unified connectivity that supports growth without multiplying complexity. 

2. Value Add-On Services That Drive Revenue & Loyalty 

Cross-border payments are no longer just about moving money, they’re about the value businesses can unlock beyond each transaction, as showcased in our recent webinar. 

Add-ons reduce customer churn and increase customer retention. Instead of being a one-time transfer business can become part of their customers’ financial journey through: 

• Prepaid cards – Enable recipients to spend funds instantly on everyday purchases and subscriptions, increasing engagement beyond the initial payout. 

• Travel eSIMs – Keep customers connected when travelling, maintaining brand relevance between transfers while opening additional revenue streams. 

• Mobile Top-Ups – Offer convenient, low-friction add-ons that encourage repeat usage. 

• Loyalty & Rewards Programmes – Incentivise repeat transfers through points-based systems, reducing switching. 

Together, these extensions encourage repeat usage, reduce customer switching, and enable money service businesses (MSBs) to generate greater value from their existing customer base without rebuilding core infrastructure. 

As pricing pressures intensify, diversification becomes critical. Those who expand their value beyond simple transaction processing will outperform those who don’t. 

We offer these add-ons, so if you’d like to simply know more or explore how it can be tailored to your operations, then feel free to book a free call. 

3. Digital Liquidity & Tokenised Settlement Rails 

Another defining cross-border trend in 2026 is the mainstream use of regulated digital assets for settlement. Institutions are exploring tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins to improve liquidity management and reduce pre-funding costs. 

Traditionally, cross-border payments providers and banks have had to pre-fund accounts in multiple countries to ensure payouts happen instantly. That means keeping large sums of money sitting idle abroad, tying up capital and increasing operational risk. 

Now, regulated digital assets, such as tokenised bank deposits and regulated stablecoins, are beginning to change that model. They allow institutions to move value across borders faster and more efficiently, without needing to park large pools of funds in every country. 

But beyond cost savings, this infrastructure shift enables: 

• Dynamic FX optimisation 

• Real-time treasury dashboards 

• Monetisable priority settlement options 

Instead of simply managing where money sits, institutions can actively optimise how capital is deployed and reduce balances. 

4. AI-powered Automation & Compliance 

We’re seeing the rise of agentic AI that doesn’t just analyse data but actively makes decisions within rules. 

Traditionally, operations teams have had to monitor transaction flows, review compliance alerts, and adjust FX rates. Agentic AI changes that dynamic; it learns from transaction patterns, responds to risk signals in real time, and makes decisions that improve speed, cost efficiency and compliance simultaneously. 

It can help: 

• Identify the fastest and cheapest payment routes instantly  

• Predict potential delays and re-route transactions before they fail  

• Monitor liquidity across multiple accounts and currencies  

• Optimise foreign exchange rates in real time 

• Identify fraud patterns that humans or static systems would miss 

This isn’t about replacing people. It’s about removing operational friction so teams can focus on growth to stay ahead of the competition. 

At RemitONE, our AI-powered tools have been developed around the real operational pressures MSBs face, from reducing failed transactions and improving FX outcomes, to easing compliance workload. They’re designed to integrate smoothly into existing systems, helping teams streamline workflows without disruption. 

 If you’d like to explore it more, book a call or see it in action here: https://www.remitone.com/ai-cross-border-payments-1/ 

Next Steps  

This is a pivotal moment in the industry. As margins tighten and competition increases, the businesses that innovate beyond basic transfers will move ahead, while others gradually fall behind. 

If you’re exploring how to evolve your cross-border strategy, we’re always open to a conversation. Share where you’re seeing operational pressure or growth challenges, and we can explore what smarter infrastructure could look like for you. 

You can book a call or reach out to us at marketing@remitone.com