Instant payments to exceed $110t by 2029, driven by Europe’s regulatory push

By Puja Sharma

Instant payments are set for a meteoric rise, with transaction values expected to surpass $110 trillion by 2029, according to new research from Juniper Research. This growth represents a staggering 84% increase in just four years, up from an estimated $60 trillion in 2025.

The surge will be underpinned by two pivotal forces reshaping global payments: Europe’s regulatory push to mainstream instant payments and the adoption of FedNow in the United States, which is redefining the country’s payments landscape.

Europe’s Regulatory Advantage

In Europe, regulation is playing a catalytic role in driving instant payments into the mainstream. Policymakers across the EU have been firm about expanding financial inclusion, improving cross-border interoperability, and ensuring that banks and PSPs (payment service providers) meet new compliance standards. By mandating instant payment availability and tackling long-standing inefficiencies, regulators are accelerating the shift away from traditional batch-based transactions.

The effect is twofold: not only are consumers gaining faster and more reliable ways to pay, but businesses are also benefiting from improved liquidity and cash-flow management. This regulatory momentum positions Europe as a global leader in instant payment adoption.

FedNow’s Transformational Promise

Across the Atlantic, FedNow, the Federal Reserve’s instant payment system launched in 2023, is being hailed as a transformative force in the U.S. market. While instant payment options like RTP (Real-Time Payments) have existed, FedNow promises broader reach and access across financial institutions of all sizes.

“While instant payments have been in the US for a while, FedNow promises to take instant payments to a new level of scale; providing broad access and reach,” explained Nick Maynard, VP of FinTech Market Research at Juniper Research. “Achieving this transformation will require stakeholders throughout the payments ecosystem to reimagine their processes, with slow-to-move vendors being left behind.”

This broad-based access could help fix one of the most fragmented payments ecosystems globally, setting the stage for faster adoption by both businesses and consumers.

Fraud Prevention as a Critical Enabler

However, growth at this scale does not come without challenges. The Juniper study emphasised that value-added services will be essential to ensuring the long-term success of instant payments. Chief among these is fraud prevention, particularly in combating Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, which is rising sharply worldwide.

APP fraud typically exploits social engineering tactics, tricking consumers or businesses into sending money to fraudsters. With instant payments, the speed of settlement makes recovery difficult once a fraudulent transfer occurs. Systems like Confirmation of Payee (CoP), which verify that the payee’s details match the intended recipient, are increasingly critical to combating this threat.

“With scams more prevalent than ever, securing instant payment systems is vital. The inherent speed of the transaction places pressure to detect fraud in real-time, and even in the set-up process before the payment,” Maynard added. “Pairing instant payments roll-outs with fraud detection advancements is vital to ensuring the modernisation of payments does not come at the cost of a deluge of fraud.”

Looking Ahead

The findings highlight both the immense opportunities and urgent responsibilities facing banks, regulators, and technology providers. As instant payments become a backbone of modern finance, the ability to integrate speed with security will determine how sustainable this growth trajectory is.

For businesses, the shift signals better cash management, faster settlement, and improved customer experiences. For regulators and financial institutions, it underscores the need to balance innovation with protection.

By 2029, instant payments may not just be an option but the default mode of global transactions—reshaping how money moves across borders, industries, and everyday lives.