Group 1 - The global economic situation in 2025 is complex, with significant challenges and opportunities in the financial sector, including a notable increase in global economic volatility and a restructuring of international trade order [2] - The domestic economy is undergoing important adjustments, with a focus on stabilizing internal demand and managing the transition between old and new growth drivers, while preventing overheating in emerging industries and capacity excess [2] - Financial risks in areas such as the real estate market, local government debt, and small financial institutions remain key areas of concern [2] Group 2 - The 2025 "Excellent Financial Award" aims to comprehensively review the development of the financial system across various sectors, including banking, insurance, securities, and fintech, leveraging the influence of mainstream financial media [3] - The evaluation process will follow principles of independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor, ensuring fairness and social value through multiple layers of assessment, including market indicators and expert reviews [3][4] - Award categories include various segments such as annual bank awards, insurance company awards, and fintech awards, reflecting a wide range of financial services [4] Group 3 - Evaluation dimensions include policy responsiveness to financial supply-side structural reforms, industry leadership in financial metrics, innovation in financial technology, and support for the real economy, particularly in promoting inclusive finance for small and micro enterprises [4]

Industry Overview - In 2024, the global mobile payment industry made significant progress, with over 2 billion registered accounts and more than 514 million monthly active accounts, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 14% and 11% respectively [26][41][46] - The industry contributed an additional $720 billion to the GDP of countries with mobile money services in 2023, representing a 1.7% increase in GDP [26][7][28] Business Growth - The transaction volume in 2024 reached approximately 108 billion transactions, with a total value exceeding $1.68 trillion, marking a 20% increase in transaction volume and a 16% increase in transaction value year-on-year [28][31] - Merchant payments accounted for the highest transaction value, surpassing international remittances, with customers paying over $100 billion to merchants via mobile money in 2024, a 21% increase from 2023 [28][31] Regional Development - Sub-Saharan Africa remains the core region for mobile payments, with over 1.1 billion registered accounts, while East Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Middle East and North Africa, are emerging as significant growth areas [9][42] - In 2024, the number of registered mobile money agents increased by 20% to 28 million, with 10 million active agents monthly, indicating improved accessibility for users [26][31] Regulatory and Policy Trends - The regulatory environment has become more favorable for mobile payment providers, with many benefiting from supportive regulations, although challenges such as fraud and cross-border data transmission remain [2][29] - Approximately 60% of mobile money providers have initiated digital skills programs to enhance financial literacy and combat fraud, which is crucial for the industry's sustainable growth [11][29] Socio-Economic Impact - Mobile payments have positively impacted financial inclusion, providing services to underserved populations and supporting sectors like agricultural insurance and renewable energy [5][2] - The gender gap in mobile money account ownership persists in eight out of twelve surveyed countries, highlighting the need for increased awareness and accessibility for women [20][29]

Industry Overview - Mobile payments are financial transactions conducted via smartphones, tablets, or wearable devices, eliminating the need for cash or physical cards [1] - The global mobile payments market was valued at $88.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38% from 2025 to 2030, driven by smartphone penetration and e-commerce growth [4] Technological Advancements - Technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence are enhancing transaction transparency, automating processes, and improving fraud prevention in mobile payments [2] - Digital wallets and contactless technologies, including NFC, are facilitating seamless transactions and peer-to-peer transfers [1][2] Key Players - Affirm Holdings, Inc. is known for its "Buy Now, Pay Later" solutions, allowing consumers to split purchases into biweekly or monthly payments, with 21 million active consumers and 337,000 active merchants as of December 31, 2024 [6][7] - Fiserv, Inc. offers a comprehensive suite of mobile payment solutions, including Clover Go, which supports around 3.5 million POS devices globally and has been adopted by over 2,100 financial institutions [9][10] - MercadoLibre, Inc. operates Mercado Pago, which processed approximately 11.3 billion transactions last year and has over 56 million monthly active users, highlighting its significant growth potential in Latin America [13][14] - Paymentus Holdings, Inc. provides an all-in-one electronic bill presentment and payment platform, processing 166 million transactions in the fourth quarter of 2024, showcasing its operational scale [16][18] Market Trends - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for contactless and secure payment solutions, further driving the adoption of mobile payments [3] - Companies are leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance their service offerings and expand into new markets, such as Affirm's collaboration with Shopify for international expansion [8]