Payment trends - an interview with John Kolthof
Let’s dive into the latest trends in payment.
As we already closed the first quarter of 2025, we want to investigate trends that have become reality and have an outlook on the future of payments and upcoming trends. Our CCO John Kolthof is always at the frontrow of the industry, networks with partners, customers and industry leaders, and exploring the latest trends in payments. We caught up with him to hear about his key takeaways and a glimpse into the future.
John, what were the standout innovations in payments so far in 2025?
John: Visiting EuroCIS and NRF this year, as well as meeting with senior executives from leading retail, mobility, and tech companies, gave me a clear view: innovation is accelerating fast (i.e. Softpos and/or Android based applications on payment terminals). The standout developments include embedded payments becoming truly invisible across verticals, and significant progress in sustainability-linked payment solutions.
Out of these new solutions, what was your biggest insight, and how is CCV adapting?
John: The biggest insight? Customers now expect payments to be completely seamless and practically invisible—whether it’s at a self-checkout in retail, during an EV charging session, or while ordering through a smart device. At CCV, we are focusing on developing solutions that embed payment deeply into the user journey. Our goal is to remove friction entirely – supporting our partners with APIs, tailor-made platforms, and adaptive hardware that fits wherever the customer is.
What trends do you foresee gaining even more importance throughout 2025, and how is CCV responding?
John: Three trends are taking center stage:
- Self-service & automation – Customers want speed and autonomy, so we’re investing in scalable unattended payment solutions.
- E-mobility ecosystems – As EV adoption still grows after some hick-ups, seamless charging and payment experiences are essential. We’re helping build unified platforms to support this shift.
- Omnichannel consistency – Online, offline, mobile – the customer journey should be uninterrupted. Our tech stack is evolving to ensure consistent experiences across all touchpoints.
How do these trends align with CCV’s vision for payments?
John: These trends are directly aligned with our mission to make payments effortless, secure, and accessible - everywhere. We believe in enabling commerce without borders: whether it’s across channels, industries, or countries. Our vision is to be the invisible engine that powers everyday transactions, supporting our partners as they transform digitally.
Any advice for businesses looking to future-proof their payment solutions?
John:
- Embrace self-service where it enhances customer experience and efficiency.
- Prepare for the e-mobility shift by integrating flexible, future-ready payment solutions.
- Ensure seamless omnichannel journeys - your customers expect consistency, no matter where they shop or interact with your brand.
- And one more: Don’t innovate in isolation - work with tech partners who understand both your business and the evolving ecosystem.
The landscape of payments is evolving rapidly, with self-service and industries like e-mobility emerging as key drivers of change. Businesses that adapt to these trends will be better positioned to meet customer expectations and stay competitive.
At CCV, we’re committed to helping businesses navigate this transformation with smart, future-ready payment solutions. If you’d like to explore how CCV can support your business, feel free to reach out! You can also meet John or other experts of our team at one of the following events.