You Could Be Losing Money in 2025—Here Are 5 Financial Trends You Shouldn’t Miss

Technology has rapidly transformed how Filipinos manage money, and as we move into 2025, these changes will accelerate. Whether you're a consumer, business owner, or investor, staying informed about these evolving financial trends will help you stay ahead and make smarter decisions to help you become financially future proof in an ever-changing landscape.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the rise of cashless payments, as people began adopting safer methods of transacting. Digital wallets have seen mass adoption, and their growth is expected as more businesses embrace cashless transactions. This trend coincides with the transition towards a “cash-lite society” of the Philippines by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. 

But why digital payments? Digital payments offer consumers quick and easy transactions without the need for physical cash, enabling both online and in-store purchases. For businesses, they lead to faster checkouts and reduced payment processing time.

As online shopping grows, many Filipinos are turning to alternatives to credit cards, like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for purchasing high-ticket items such as home appliances and pay the, in installments. BNPL is becoming especially popular among younger consumers. TransUnion's Consumer Pulse Survey shows 63% of Filipinos who are aware of BNPL used it in 2024, with Gen Z adoption rising from 57% to 65% in just one year. 

Having the option to pay later and in installments means being able to use your money to pay debts or even fund a small business. Home Credit, for example, offers installment option allowing Filipinos to purchase items for their home and pay it in installments at zero interest. 

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies have continued to gain popularity, and the integration of blockchain technology into other financial systems is expected to go even further by 2025.  

According to an annual global opinion survey conducted by data analytics group YouGov, about 52% of Filipinos bought cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum last year. This is an increase from 45% in 2023, placing Philippines in second rank in cryptocurrency ownership globally next to South Africa with 65% of citizens having digital asset ownership. For Filipinos, cryptocurrencies offer a more efficient way to send and receive money, especially for those working overseas and sending remittances.

AI has become a buzzword last year thanks to plenty of editing apps as well as tech giants such as Apple and Samsung focusing on AI features for their flagship phones. Chatbots such as ChatGPT also gained prominence starting in 2023 and became a staple tool in content creation and research. 

In Finance, AI is expected to revolutionize the way Filipinos do transactions enabling benefits such as automating financial processes, identifying investment opportunities, and detecting fraudulent activity. Another benefit for consumers is personalized financial products, with features specifically catered to their spending habits and goals.

The world we live today is not the same world as before. Climate change is hitting differing parts of the world and as environmental concerns grow, sustainable investing has become a major player in how Filipinos look at investing.  

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, which includes investments in green bonds, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, is expected to rise in the coming years. In 2024, The Philippines’ rose from 20th to second most attractive market for clean power investments in just three years which proves the focus on green investing as a support to combat climate change. 

As we continue to see the financial landscape evolve and adapt to the changing world, staying updated on these rising trends is essential to making smart financial decisions in 2025. Digital banking, sustainable investing, AI and cryptocurrency will all play key roles in this transformation and when used in the right way will surely aid in achieving financial security for the next coming years.