Cellphones have come a long way in the last 5 decades and perhaps one of their most profound impact is revolutionizing transactions with mobile systems. These systems lay the groundwork for the ease of transactions that we access today.
Picture this. You go to a coffee shop and pull out your smartphone to pay for your coffee. After that, you do the same for your shopping at the supermarket and your cab ride home. You barely carry cash with you and conduct most of your transactions on your phone or smartwatch. But to fully understand and appreciate the extent of revolutionizing transactions with mobile systems, we must first look at how we got here.
The evolution of Mobile Systems in Financial Transactions
A stroll down memory lane will help us have a better understanding of how far things have come. Prior to the mobile phone takeover, any monetary transactions either had to be via cash or bank. If you got paid, money would be sent to your bank account, or you would be given a check, which would be cashed in at a bank.
Back in the day, the brick and mortar banking model was quite popular and successful. Banks were the portal through which people had access to cash and back then cash was king. Rapid advancement in mobile technology over the years has been key in revolutionizing transactions with mobile systems.
If you really think about it, advancements in chip technology and battery technology have made things much easier. For example, chips allow phones to rival computers in processing power. Allowing them to conduct multiple complex computations that are more than capable of supporting processes underpinning the current mobile systems.
Battery technology has advanced enough to make smartphones extremely thin and functional for significant durations. This portability is what makes them the perfect digital tool. But perhaps one of the technological advancements that have been most crucial in the success of mobile systems in the remittance and banking industries is the internet.
Most people can afford to own a smartphone nowadays and the internet provides the network through which communication necessary for transactions to take place. This is advantageous because it eliminates one of the last mile problem limiting access, and enhancing reach.
Key Technologies revolutionizing transactions with mobile systems
Various technologies have to be implemented in order for the idea of banking at the palm of your hand to be a successful concept. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Mobile Wallets
A safe and secure medium is necessary for a mobile device to function as a tool for receiving, holding and sending funds securely. Major industry players are aware of this hence the development of mobile wallet services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. These services use encryption, biometric authentication and tokenization to cover security which is one of the most important aspects of successful mobile transaction systems. The convenience factor is in that billions of people can access them. It also helps that they are developed by widely accepted companies.
Blockchain Technology
:This is the latest technology that has come out swinging and promising to make massive changes in how the internet works through WEB3. Security has been a major concern in WEB2 but blockchain promises to overcome this problem since it is decentralized, immutable and cannot be hacked. These characteristics not only boost security, but also transparency.
Near-Field Communication (NFC)
What if there was a technology that could allow devices to communicate and open a channel of transfer safely and conveniently? A technology that only facilitates close proximity application. This sums up NFC or Near Field Communication in a nutshell. It facilitates contactless payment through NFC-enabled terminals. Payments using NFC-enabled phones can be used to pay for products or services in a tap to pay setting.
QR Codes
They are useful especially in scenarios where the other mentioned options are not available. And just like those other options, QR codes provide an easy and quick option for payments. Merchants generate QR codes that contain payment details which the customers can scan to retrieve transaction data and make payments.
Benefits of revolutionizing transactions with mobile payments
- The convenience factor: Thanks to mobile phones, our phones are not just an entertainment hub. They are a tool that we can use to access financial services on the go.
- Security: Mobile systems have a security layer to them. They support biometric authentication and encryption to protect against unauthorized access. Despite this, cybersecurity risks my still pose a threat. Safe user practices are important too as part of ensuring security.
- Speed: Thanks to mobile systems, you no longer have to dash to the bank to get some money for daily errands. You can simply pay with your smartphone. Saving time and energy.
- Accessibility: Most banks now have internet banking, allowing them to expand accessibility beyond brick and mortar. Mobile apps also accommodate loan apps which compete with banks in the debt industry.
Impact on Consumer Behavior and Business Operations
- Consumer Adoption: Ease of access to digital payments systems makes it easier for companies leveraging mobile payments to benefit from user growth. As a result, they enjoy accelerated revenue growth.
- Changing Spending Habits: The mobile systems revolution has certainly had a significant impact on what people consume. This is because it provides access to products especially in the digital realm. For example, thanks to mobile technology, one can easily pay for a subscription to Netflix with their PayPal on their mobile device. The same applies to many other online purchases.
- Business Adaptation: Failure to adapt to rapid changes in industries is often a disadvantage. By adapting to changes brought forth by mobile systems, businesses can stay competitive and also enjoy the perks of expanded access.
Products that have revolutionized transactions with mobile systems.
There is a rich list of companies with services that have successfully deployed mobile systems and achieved incredible levels of success. Here are some examples.
institution | service | Users (monthly) | industry | Revenue (Q124) | Region |
Block | Cash App | 55 million | Fintech | $4.17 Bn (Q124) | U.S |
Safaricom | M-Pesa | 56.7 million | Fintech | $1.05 Bn | Africa |
Tencent | WeChat Pay | 1.35 billion | Fintech | $7.1 billion | China |
Coinbase Global | Coinbase exchange wallet | 7 million plus | Crypto | $1.6 billion | U.S |
Brazil Central Bank | Pix | 153 million | Fintech | $119.4 million | Brazil |
Apple | Apple Pay | 507 million (globally) | Mobile tech | $1.9 billion (annual 2023) | U.S |
Samsung | Apple Pay | 227 million (globally) | Mobile tech | $7.8 million (annually) | South Korea |
Future Trends in Mobile Transactions
- Integration with IoT: Imagine your fridge could detect that you are running out of milk before you even notice. Now imagine if it places an order pays for the order, so that you get an unexpected delivery. This is the next step for mobile systems and payments. Devices and machines will be able to communicate and transact.
- Expansion in Developing Economies: There are many bankless individuals in most developing countries. If banks do not have an incentive to set up branches in specific locations, then the residents may be affected by lack of access to liquidity. Mobile systems and transactions bridge the gap and by providing access to digital finance tools.
- Innovations in Digital Wallets: Digital wallets are slated to become even more popular especially in the crypto segment. Meanwhile, traditional digital wallets have also become the got-and their impact on global commerce.
Conclusion on revolutionizing transactions with mobile payments
So far we have seen that technology has in fact played a central role in revolutionizing transactions with mobile systems. Change whose impact is widely felt and continues to proliferate. Companies across the world have built their empires through opportunities in mobile systems. A trend that will likely keep growing especially as the world becomes more digitized.
Also check out how Digital Technology is Powering Doorstep Banking: Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Banking and Financial Inclusion