Gen Z demands immediate payment solutions in a fast-paced world

On June 16, 2025, in Chongqing, China, a significant shift in consumer payment expectations was highlighted as two young women engaged with their smartphones at a tea shop. This scene encapsulated the urgent demand from Generation Z for instantaneous transactions across various payment platforms, reflecting their growing impatience for efficiency. As they expect immediacy in services ranging from ride-sharing to refunds, there has been an increasing reliance on instant payment solutions. According to Katz, a veteran in the payments industry, this phenomenon marks the beginning of a real-time revolution, which he refers to as the 'Uberization of payments.' He noted that gig economy workers, primarily catering to the Gen Z demographic, often demand immediate or swift payment after completing tasks, and many organizations are adapting to these expectations by absorbing costs or enhancing their transactional systems. Furthermore, it was noted that companies like Visa are leveraging their advanced payment networks, VisaNet, capable of processing over 65,000 transactions per second, to meet these demands effectively. As these technological advancements unfold, there is also an emphasis on security and compliance, especially regarding Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, which are being addressed through the use of artificial intelligence. Overall, the necessity for seamless and frictionless transactions is accelerating changes in the mobile payment industry, with businesses challenged to keep up with the rapidly evolving landscape defined by the preferences of Generation Z.