For years, digital wallets in the U.S. have been steady but unspectacular—useful for tap‑to‑pay, not exactly groundbreaking. But the energy in payments today is coming from somewhere unexpected: the crypto wallet world. Stablecoins now exceed $300 billion in circulation, and the infrastructure behind them is delivering the kind of security, interoperability, and user control traditional payments have long needed.
That shift sets the stage for TRANSACT 2026, where Perficient’s Director of Payments, Amanda Estiverne, will moderate “Keys, Tokens & Trust: How Crypto Wallets Unlock Tomorrow’s Payments,” unpacking how these technologies can finally push digital wallets into their next era.
“Beyond the session I’m moderating on crypto wallets—and how this technology is set to supercharge tokenization, transform digital identity, and reinvent the very idea of a mobile wallet—I’m fired up for several powerhouse conversations.” – Amanda Estiverne
Here are three topics we’re looking forward to exploring—and why they matter now.
-
Security That Actually Builds Trust
Security remains one of the biggest obstacles to broader U.S. digital wallet adoption—but it’s also the area where crypto wallets offer the clearest blueprint forward. Having spent years securing billions in digital assets in high‑risk environments, crypto wallets have refined capabilities such as multi‑signature authentication, advanced biometrics, tokenization, and decentralized key management. They show how strong security and user‑friendly design can coexist.
As regulators sharpen guidance and consumers demand more control over their data, these crypto‑born approaches are becoming increasingly relevant to mainstream payments. In her session, Amanda will explore how these wallet innovations—originally designed for digital assets—can address the core security concerns holding back U.S. mobile wallets and help transform them from simple tap‑to‑pay tools into trusted financial hubs.
“ETA Transact is the gathering place for the entire payments ecosystem. Banks, networks, fintechs, processors, and regulators all come together under one roof to explore what’s next in payments.” – Amanda Estiverne
-
Interoperability Across Rails and Borders
One of the most persistent challenges in payments is fragmentation—different rails, incompatible systems, and cross‑border friction that create cost and complexity for businesses and consumers alike. Crypto wallets, by contrast, were designed for interoperability from the start. A single wallet can span multiple networks, assets, and payment types without the user having to think about what’s happening behind the scenes.
It’s a timely shift: real‑time payments are scaling, embedded finance is showing up in more places than ever, and stablecoins have now crossed $300 billion in circulation. With tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and traditional rails now coexisting, payment providers need ways to make these systems work together in a unified experience.
Amanda’s session will break down how the cross‑network, cross‑border capabilities pioneered in crypto wallets can help overcome the interoperability gaps limiting today’s mobile and digital wallets—and why solving this is key to building the next generation of payments.
-
Identity and Personalization in the AI Era
Digital wallets are quickly becoming more than a place to store cards. With AI, they can deliver smarter, more contextual experiences—from personalized rewards to anticipatory recommendations to voice‑enabled commerce. But to power these experiences responsibly, wallets need identity models that balance personalization with user privacy and control.
Crypto wallets have long used decentralized identity credentials that allow individuals to share only what’s necessary for each interaction. As AI‑driven personalization becomes the norm, that selective‑sharing model becomes even more valuable.
Amanda’s session will explore how decentralized identity frameworks emerging from the crypto space—and now reinforced by tokenization—can give digital wallets the foundation they need to support personalized, AI‑enhanced experiences while still preserving user trust.
“Agentic commerce, stablecoins and digital assets, digital identity, personalized payments, and instant payments are among the key themes shaping the conversation. The financial system is undergoing massive transformation, and these emerging areas will play a defining role in the infrastructure of tomorrow’s payments ecosystem.” – Amanda Estiverne
Discover the Next Payment Innovation Trends
Transact 2026 is where theory meets practice. Where banks, networks, fintechs, processors, and regulators pressure-test ideas and forge the partnerships that will define the next era of payments.
Amanda’s session focuses on how crypto‑wallet innovations—biometrics, tokenization, decentralized identity, and cross‑border interoperability—can help U.S. mobile wallets finally graduate from tap‑to‑pay conveniences into trusted, intelligent financial hubs.
“It’s where partnerships are forged, new ideas are pressure-tested, and the future of how money moves begins to take shape.” – Amanda Estiverne
For payment leaders exploring what comes next, this conversation offers a grounded look at the capabilities most likely to redefine digital wallets across security, identity, interoperability, and user experience.
Attending TRANSACT 2026? Come by the Idea Zone at 1:40pm on Thursday, March 19th to hear the exclusive insights. Not attending? Contact Perficient to explore how we help payment and Fintech firms innovate and boost market position with transformative, AI-first digital experiences and efficient operations.
