xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

A New Way to Pay

Many operators in the adult space are familiar with the rapidly evolving complexities and continually changing options within the billing game. Sometimes these issues surround new regulations, while other times they involve new opportunities for profit.

Such is the case with the attack on MasterCard and Visa's billing market domination, now being conducted by telecom giants AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, which are developing a contactless, Smartphone-based retail payment system that is intended to replace traditional credit and debit card use.

Bloomberg reports that Atlanta and several other U.S. cities will host the initial trial of the m-payment solution, in cooperation with Discover Financial Services, which will provide the payment-processing infrastructure; and Barclays, tasked with managing the accounts.

"This is definitely a game-changer," Richard Crone of Crone Consulting stated, saying how the wireless carriers "are the biggest recurring billers in every market."

"They are experts at processing payments," Crone added.

Crone notes that wireless carriers enjoy advantages over the card associations, which could allow them to take control of the U.S. payments market from Visa and MasterCard.

"A mobile device is online, real-time interactivity that changes the customer relationship," Crone concluded. "A card is dumb."

For its part, Visa wants to be a part of the mobile payments loop, despite the major carriers' seeming focus on going it alone and not sharing the pie with the billing giant.

"Visa is in discussions with a number of mobile operators around the world," Bill Gajda of Visa Mobile stated. "We continue to believe that the best opportunity to create a secure, scalable, mobile-payment service is by working together, converging mobile and financial networks, and extending the value of electronic payments to the mobile channel."

Competition, especially within the world of financial services, is a good thing and may make it easier for adult merchants to enjoy access to these developing technologies.

Regardless of the final applications, however, it is clear that the streamlining of all forms of payment systems is continuing; with innovative tools and simple ease of use. Concerns over security, anti-trust issues and competitive grandstanding may hamper the swift adoption of Smartphone "wave" payment processing, but this and other forms of mobile billing are rapidly coming our way — who will provide these services is the only remaining question…

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

5 Product Trends Retail Buyers Should Bet On in 2026

In 2026, expect consumers to prioritize one thing above all else: comfort.

Sunny Rodgers ·
opinion

Making the Case for Network Tokens in Recurring Billing

A declined transaction isn’t just a technical error; it’s lost revenue you fought hard to earn. But here’s some good news for adult merchants: The same technology that helps the world’s largest subscription services smoothly process millions of monthly subscriptions is now available to you as well.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Exploring the Shift Toward Pleasure Products Designed for All Bodies

The last few years have seen a positive change in our industry, as more brands and innovators are finally prioritizing accessibility. Whether they call it inclusive design, adaptive pleasure or accessible intimacy, the aim remains the same: Pleasure should be accessible to everyone, including people with limited mobility or physical disabilities.

Alexandra Bouchard ·
opinion

Navigating Age Verification Laws Without Disrupting Revenue

With age verification laws now firmly in place across multiple markets, merchants are asking practical questions: How is this affecting traffic? What happens during onboarding? Which approaches are proving workable in real payment flows?

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How January Retail Sales Prime the Pump for Valentine's Day

January may look quiet on paper, but anyone who has worked in a pleasure store knows that the first month of the year has a very particular energy.

Rin Musick ·
profile

WIA: Corrinne Musick Fosters Harmonious Retail Relations at Sportsheets

Wherever there’s a retailer needing guidance, a trade show booth crowded with buyers or a curious YouTube viewer looking for sex education, there you’ll find Sportsheets’ traveling pleasure product expert, Corrine Musick.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

A Creator's Guide to Post-Event Networking

In the adult industry, talent, creativity and individuality are vital, but true longevity often comes from the connections you make — and how well you nurture them. Meeting people at expos and conferences, or on online forums, is only the first step. What strengthens a career and reputation is how you maintain those relationships over time. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about cultivating trust, offering value and building mutual support in an industry that thrives on collaboration and authenticity.

Mikayela Miller ·
opinion

Tips for Testing Content to Maximize Conversions

Everyone’s looking for what’s next, hot and new. That’s understandable. Who doesn’t want to be on the cutting edge, riding the next wave? But before you rush to reinvent yourself, remember this: The most successful creators aren’t the ones chasing trends. They’re the ones who take the time to figure out what actually works before committing to big changes.

Megan Stokes ·
profile

Eversense Founder Matty Hennessy Discusses Engineering Products for Trans Bodies

For transgender folks shopping for pleasure products, it can be a daunting challenge to find items that accommodate their changing bodies, address their specific needs and support gender affirmation during intimacy.

Celine Shore ·
opinion

How Adult Businesses Can Navigate Global Compliance Demands

The internet has made the world feel small. Case in point: Adult websites based in the U.S. are now getting letters from regulators demanding compliance with foreign laws, even if they don’t operate in those countries. Meanwhile, some U.S. website operators dealing with the patchwork of state-level age verification laws have considered incorporating offshore in the hopes of avoiding these new obligations — but even operators with no physical presence in the U.S. have been sued or threatened with claims for not following state AV laws.

Larry Walters ·
Show More