How AI and Digital Payments Are Shaping Holiday Spending in 2025

The 2025 holiday season isn’t just about shopping sprees and festive cheer, it’s about how technology is transforming the way people spend, shop, and gift.

According to Visa’s latest survey, nearly half of U.S. consumers are now using AI tools to enhance their shopping experience, and younger generations are turning cryptocurrency into the newest form of holiday gifting.

But what do these changes mean for businesses - especially those in high-risk or digital-first industries?

At PayConsults, we believe these trends reveal a powerful shift in consumer trust, technology adoption, and payment behavior that every merchant should pay attention to.

AI Is the New Holiday Assistant

Nearly 47% of U.S. shoppers have already used AI for at least one shopping task this season, from finding the perfect gift idea to comparing prices across platforms.

AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s an everyday companion guiding buying decisions.

For businesses, that means your customers are interacting with AI-powered tools long before they reach your checkout page. Whether it’s a chatbot that recommends products or a personalized shopping engine that compares offers, AI is now part of the buyer journey, and merchants must adapt.

PayConsults helps high-risk merchants integrate smarter payment and fraud detection systems powered by AI, protecting revenue while keeping the checkout experience seamless.

Crypto Gifts and Digital Wallets Are Going Mainstream

This year, 28% of shoppers said they’d be thrilled to receive cryptocurrency as a holiday gift, a number that jumps to 45% among Gen Z.

Younger shoppers are redefining what “value” means, it’s not just about the latest gadget; it’s about digital assets, tokens, and financial flexibility.

And it’s not just crypto.

More consumers are relying on digital wallets for holiday purchases, with Gen Z now almost equally split between preferring wallets (36%) and physical cards (34%).

For merchants, this is a clear signal: digital payment adoption is accelerating, and businesses that don’t support modern payment rails risk losing relevance.

At PayConsults, we help merchants expand their payment stack with local acquirers, stablecoin settlement options, and global PSP partnerships, ensuring smooth, compliant payment experiences.

Trust Is the True Currency This Holiday Season

Even as consumers embrace technology, trust remains a deciding factor.

Visa’s report shows that while people enjoy the convenience of AI-driven tools, 61% still prefer human support, and 60% want more transparency about how their data is used.

At the same time, two-thirds of shoppers worry about scams, and nearly four in ten have already encountered one this year.

With online shopping at its peak, fraudsters are just as active as buyers.

That’s where PayConsults steps in, by helping high-risk merchants deploy advanced fraud prevention, chargeback control, and transaction monitoring solutions that keep both businesses and consumers safe.

Early Shopping, Faster Payments

Visa’s forecast shows 4.6% year-over-year growth in holiday spending, and more than a quarter of consumers started shopping before November even began.

For merchants, that means one thing: the spending window is expanding, and so are transaction volumes.

If your payment setup isn’t optimized for higher traffic, diverse payment methods, or real-time fraud detection, you could lose more than sales, you could lose your acquirer’s trust.

Smarter Shoppers Need Smarter Merchants

This holiday season, consumers aren’t just buying, they’re thinking smarter, spending digitally, and expecting security.

AI, crypto, and alternative payment methods are no longer trends; they’re the new foundation of commerce.

At PayConsults, we help high-risk and digital-first businesses prepare for this future, by designing smarter, safer, and globally scalable payment solutions that adapt to how customers shop today.

So while shoppers unwrap gifts this season, let’s make sure your business unwraps opportunity, not risk.

Contact us today