{"id":15555,"date":"2025-07-11T21:01:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=15555"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:16:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:16:29","slug":"digital-payments-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/digital-payments-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africans Ditch Using Cash and Cards: Rise of Digital Payments in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-mobile-apps-digital-wallets-and-crypto-are-transforming-everyday-payments-in-south-africa\"><em>How Mobile Apps, Digital Wallets, and Crypto Are Transforming Everyday Payments in South Africa<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A seismic shift in consumer behaviour is sweeping the nation as more South Africans leave behind cash and cards in favour of sleek, mobile-first digital payment options. According to the 2025 State of Consumer Payments in South Africa report by fintech firm Stitch, more than 90% of surveyed individuals experimented with new payment methods beyond traditional cash and cards in the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t just a tech trend \u2014 it\u2019s a nationwide financial evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-digital-payment-adoption-surges-what-the-numbers-say\"><strong>Digital Payment Adoption Surges: What the Numbers Say<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Conducted in collaboration with research firm Censuswide, Stitch\u2019s study sampled approximately 2,000 South Africans and uncovered compelling insights. A remarkable 9 out of 10 respondents confirmed they had used at least one alternative payment method recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leading the pack? Pay-by-bank platforms \u2014 which include scan-to-pay and instant EFTs \u2014 are gaining major ground. These systems bypass cards entirely, favouring direct, real-time bank-to-bank transactions via mobile apps. Consumers are embracing the speed, convenience, and security these methods offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4063251594\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-big-names-dominating-the-space\"><strong>The Big Names Dominating the Space<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The digital wallet race is heating up, with the following apps leading the charge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Google Pay<\/strong> \u2013 Used by 37% of respondents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Samsung Pay<\/strong> \u2013 21%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apple Pay<\/strong> \u2013 18%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These wallets allow users to store card details digitally on their smartphones, watches, or computers, enabling seamless payments with a simple tap or scan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capitec Pay, a local favourite, is also seeing a rise in preference across retail and service sectors, reflecting growing trust in domestic digital banking tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-crypto-payments-from-novelty-to-normal\"><strong>Crypto Payments: From Novelty to Normal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not to be outdone, cryptocurrency is making its way into daily commerce. Major retailers like Pick n Pay now accept crypto payments via the Moneybadger platform, supporting wallets such as Bitcoin Lightning, Binance, VALR, and Luno Pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luno Pay has integrated with Zapper, expanding crypto payment options to multiple retailers across South Africa. As of July 2025, the Luno Pay ecosystem has facilitated over R20 million in transactions since its launch in late 2024 \u2014 a clear signal that crypto is no longer on the fringes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-124201812\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-cards-and-cash-still-hold-power\"><strong>Where Cards and Cash Still Hold Power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these gains, traditional payment methods still dominate some daily transactions. Grocery and food purchases, in particular, remain cash-heavy. Here&#8217;s how South Africans paid for groceries in the last year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>41%<\/strong> used a physical debit or credit card<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>26%<\/strong> paid with cash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>18%<\/strong> used pay-by-bank or Capitec Pay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only <strong>8%<\/strong> used digital wallets like Google Pay or Apple Pay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This shows that while digital payments are rising, cash and cards still have a stronghold in high-frequency, essential purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-resistance-to-going-fully-cashless\"><strong>The Resistance to Going Fully Cashless<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Attempts to push digital payments too aggressively can backfire. Stitch and DataEQ\u2019s analysis of Woolworths Caf\u00e9\u2019s cashless initiative found that nearly 75% of public sentiment was negative. Concerns included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accessibility for the unbanked<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staff tip distribution without cash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data security and fraud fears<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, 23% of South Africans who haven\u2019t used digital payments say it\u2019s simply because they prefer the feel and control of cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1810853439\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-security-still-a-key-concern\"><strong>Security Still a Key Concern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although digital wallets are generally more secure than carrying physical cards, fear of fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks continue to deter some consumers. Fintech firms now face a twofold challenge: continuing to innovate while building deeper trust through education and transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-hybrid-financial-future\"><strong>A Hybrid Financial Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa is undeniably on the path to a cash-light society, but the journey must be inclusive and measured. While major urban centres are embracing the digital age at pace, rural and underserved communities must not be left behind. A balanced approach that preserves consumer choice while enabling innovation will be key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As digital tools like Capitec Pay, scan-to-pay, and crypto wallets continue to rise, the writing is on the wall: the future of money in South Africa is mobile, real-time, and borderless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-100969042\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-quick-snapshot-south-africa-s-2025-digital-payment-landscape\"><strong>Quick Snapshot: South Africa\u2019s 2025 Digital Payment Landscape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Payment Method<\/th><th>Usage in 2025<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Pay-by-bank (Scan-to-pay, EFT)<\/td><td>Highest new user adoption<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Google Pay<\/td><td>37%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Samsung Pay<\/td><td>21%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Apple Pay<\/td><td>18%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Crypto via Luno Pay<\/td><td>R20m in transactions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pick n Pay Crypto Payments<\/td><td>R1m+ in uptake<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Digital payments are not just a passing trend in South Africa \u2014 they\u2019re becoming a new way of life. But for all the innovation, inclusion and consumer trust must remain at the heart of progress. Whether you&#8217;re scanning to pay for your latte or transferring crypto for groceries, 2025 is officially the year South Africans begin to ditch cash and cards \u2014 one tap at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africans Ditch Using Cash and Cards: Rise of Digital Payments in 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":15560,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africans Ditch Using Cash and Cards: Rise of Digital Payments in 2025","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15555","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-finance"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15555"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15561,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15555\/revisions\/15561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}