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Mastercard launches Agent Pay for Machines to offer high-speed payments available 24 hours a day.

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Mastercard launches Agent Pay for Machines to offer high-speed payments available 24 hours a day.

The emergence of AI has created new ways to buy and sell goods and services. It is now demanding a new class of payments. Mastercard envisions a future where companies create services for AI agents to make purchases. Operating at machine speed, these agents could transact with each other continuously at high speed, executing transaction chains, including microtransactions. This shift could unleash a new massive wave of innovation, business models, and economic activity, where any company, from individual entrepreneurs to the largest corporations, can become a virtual powerhouse.

To enable this new form of commerce, Mastercard has developed a new way to pay for these services: payments, even if they are just cents, to be completed quickly, programmatically, and securely. The company introduces the Agent Pay for Machines (AP4M), a new service that will allow these transactions to be authorized, orchestrated, and settled at machine speed across its global payment network.

“Agent Pay for Machines will create the conditions for an explosion of AI business models,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Product Officer of Mastercard. “Payments between machines can enable the buying and selling of services between agents on fundamentally different scales than current payments — very high volumes, very low values, with great speed and extremely low latency.”

Unlike traditional payments at points of sale or between people and merchants, which are transactional and user-initiated, these transactions are programmatic, always active, and executed between systems behind the scenes of digital commerce. Agent Pay for Machines allows participants in the Mastercard network to bring the trust and controls of the company’s global network to machine-driven commerce, helping AI innovators enable secure and reliable payments as software can perform transactions autonomously.

Building a new class of payments

AI agents are no longer just assisting in decisions. They can act according to human intent, coordinate services, and complete custom transactions for their users. An entrepreneur opening a florist shop could instruct an AI agent to build and launch the store’s online presence, purchasing a domain name, hosting services, images, and checkout pages within a defined budget, transforming a single human-initiated request into a chain of transactions executed automatically between providers.

In another example, a logistics agent managing a delivery route could pay for shipping, book access to the loading platform, purchase temporary monitoring data for the chain, and settle warehouse handling fees automatically as a shipment moves from origin to destination.

Payments not only increase. They change form. They become continuous, embedded, authorized, and executed at machine speed. This creates a new requirement: an infrastructure capable of keeping pace with this movement.

In this new environment, businesses seek the peace of mind that they will receive payment. Agents need transactions to move instantly, with each transaction completed securely and as expected. The Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines is designed to meet these needs.

The service is based on the Agent Pay program by Mastercard, introduced in 2025, providing a system to scale high-frequency, low-latency, low-value payments executed by agents and machines. While Agent Pay defines how trusted AI agents participate in payments, Agent Pay for Machines is designed for a complementary opportunity: automated, micro, and machine-driven transactions that occur continuously in the background of digital commerce.

This is where Mastercard’s global network plays a critical role. The Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines supports credentialing, controls, and guaranteed settlement across multiple payment types, from cards to stablecoins, allowing organizations to deploy automated payments with the interoperability, reliability, and governance that the digital economy demands.

How it works

The Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines establishes a trusted system for machine-driven transactions through a set of foundational capabilities:

· Credentialing: Each agent is credentialed and, with Verifiable Intent, can be recognized and transact confidently across ecosystems.

· Authorization: Organizations can set authorization rules and spending limits that are applied programmatically, ensuring that transactions remain within defined parameters.

· Transaction: Verified participants can connect and transact among providers and systems, enabling continuous and high-frequency automated commerce.

· Settlement: Supports reliable and guaranteed multi-rail settlement among cards, accounts, and stablecoins.

Transactions happen predictably, enhancing transparency and consistency.

Partnering to scale an open ecosystem

Mastercard is collaborating with many partners to validate priority use cases, establish common rules, and accelerate adoption across sectors. Initial participants and supporters include: Aave Labs, Adyen, Alchemy, Anchorage Digital, Ant International, Basis Theory, BVNK, Catena, Checkout.com, Cloudflare, Coinbase, Coinflow, Crossmint, Getnet from Santander, Global Payments, Lovable, Mastercard Merchant Cloud, MoonPay, Nevermined, OKX, PayOS, Polygon, Rain, Ripple, Sapiom, Skyfire, Solana Foundation, Stripe, t54 Labs, Tempo, Turnkey, and Utila.

Supporting the next phase of digital commerce

The Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines expands Mastercard’s efforts to enable trusted digital interactions, from identity and authentication to reliable data exchange, so that businesses can adopt new technologies without compromising the security, reliability, and reach they expect from Mastercard’s global network. Together with Agent Pay and Verifiable Intent, the Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines reflects Mastercard’s ongoing investment in building an open and trustworthy infrastructure for autonomous payments, driven by agents and powered by machines.

Brazil brings innovation with local partners in Agent Pay

In Brazil, Mastercard has been strengthening strategic partnerships to boost agent-driven commerce with Agent Pay, involving local issuers and processors like Itaú and Santander. These institutions have already conducted live transactions using Mastercard’s infrastructure, demonstrating the viability of AI agent-initiated payments at scale and with full security. The operations involved real purchases across different segments, reinforcing Brazil’s role as a leader in adopting innovative payment solutions and consolidating the region as fertile ground for advancing AI-driven commerce.

To learn more about the Mastercard Agent Pay for Machines, visit Link.

What is an Online Marketplace?

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What is an Online Marketplace?

An online marketplace is a digital platform that connects buyers and sellers, allowing them to conduct commercial transactions over the internet. These platforms act as intermediaries, providing an infrastructure for individual sellers or businesses to offer their products or services to a large number of potential customers. Some popular examples of online marketplaces include Amazon, eBay, Mercado Livre, and Airbnb.

History:

Online marketplaces emerged in the late 1990s with the advent of e-commerce. One of the first and most successful examples was eBay, founded in 1995, which began as an online auction site for consumers to sell items to each other. As the internet became more accessible and trust in e-commerce grew, more marketplaces emerged, covering a wide range of sectors and business models.

Types of online marketplaces:

There are several types of online marketplaces, each with its own characteristics and target audiences:

1. Horizontal marketplaces: Offer a wide variety of products from different categories, such as Amazon and Mercado Livre.

2. Vertical marketplaces: Focus on a specific niche or sector, like Etsy for handmade and vintage products, or Zalando for fashion.

3. Service marketplaces: Connect service providers to customers, such as Fiverr for freelancers or Uber for transportation services.

4. P2P (peer-to-peer) marketplaces: Allow consumers to sell products or services directly to each other, like eBay or Airbnb.

Advantages:

Online marketplaces offer various advantages for sellers and buyers:

1. Expanded reach: Sellers can access a much larger audience than would be possible with a physical store.

2. Convenience: Buyers can easily find and purchase products or services anytime and anywhere.

3. Variety: Marketplaces typically offer a large selection of products or services, allowing buyers to find exactly what they are looking for.

4. Trust: Established platforms provide reputation systems and consumer protection, increasing trust in transactions.

5. Reduced costs: Sellers can save on operational costs like rent for physical space and employees.

Challenges:

Despite their advantages, online marketplaces also present some challenges:

1. Competition: With many sellers offering similar products, it can be challenging to stand out and attract customers.

2. Fees: Platforms often charge fees on sales, which can reduce sellers’ profit margins.

3. Platform dependency: Sellers may become overly reliant on the marketplace, limiting their ability to build their own brand.

4. Quality issues: Ensuring the quality and authenticity of products can be challenging, especially in marketplaces with many sellers.

Future of online marketplaces:

As e-commerce continues to grow, online marketplaces are expected to become even more prevalent and sophisticated. Some trends that are likely to shape the future of marketplaces include:

1. Personalization: The use of data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized shopping experiences.

2. Omnichannel integration: The combination of online and offline experiences to create a seamless shopping journey.

3. Specialized marketplaces: The emergence of more marketplaces focused on specific niches or communities.

4. Globalization: The expansion of marketplaces into new international markets, connecting sellers and buyers worldwide.

Conclusion:

Online marketplaces have revolutionized the way we buy and sell products and services, offering unprecedented convenience, variety, and accessibility. As technology advances and consumer habits evolve, marketplaces are set to continue playing a central role in e-commerce and the global economy. Although there are challenges to be faced, the future of online marketplaces looks promising, with new innovations and opportunities continually arising.

What is e-commerce?

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What is e-commerce?

E-commerce, also known as electronic commerce, is the practice of conducting business transactions via the internet. This includes the buying and selling of products, services, and information online. E-commerce has revolutionized the way companies conduct their business and how consumers acquire goods and services.

History:

E-commerce started gaining popularity in the 1990s with the advent of the World Wide Web. Initially, online transactions were mostly limited to selling books, CDs, and software. Over time, as technology advanced and consumer trust in electronic commerce grew, more companies began offering a wide variety of products and services online.

Types of e-commerce:

There are several types of e-commerce, including:

1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Involves selling products or services directly to end consumers.

2. Business-to-Business (B2B): Occurs when one company sells products or services to another company.

3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): Allows consumers to sell products or services directly to each other, usually through online platforms like eBay or OLX.

4. Consumer-to-Business (C2B): Involves consumers offering products or services to businesses, like freelancers providing their services through platforms like Fiverr or 99Freelas.

Advantages:

E-commerce offers various advantages for businesses and consumers, such as:

1. Convenience: Consumers can buy products or services anytime and anywhere, as long as they have internet access.

2. Wide variety: Online stores typically offer a much broader selection of products than physical stores.

3. Price comparison: Consumers can easily compare prices from different suppliers to find the best deals.

4. Reduced costs: Companies can save on operational costs, such as renting physical space and employees, by selling online.

5. Global reach: E-commerce allows companies to reach a much wider audience than would be possible with a physical store.

Challenges:

Despite its many advantages, e-commerce also presents some challenges, including:

1. Security: Protecting consumers’ financial and personal data is a constant concern in e-commerce.

2. Logistics: Ensuring that products are delivered quickly, efficiently, and reliably can be a challenge, especially for smaller companies.

3. Intense competition: With so many companies selling online, it can be difficult to stand out and attract customers.

4. Trust issues: Some consumers still hesitate to shop online due to concerns about fraud and the inability to see and touch products before purchasing.

Future of e-commerce:

As technology continues to advance and more people around the world gain access to the internet, e-commerce is expected to continue to grow and evolve. Some trends that will shape the future of e-commerce include:

1. Mobile shopping: More and more consumers are using their smartphones and tablets to shop online.

2. Personalization: Companies are using data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized shopping experiences for consumers.

3. Augmented reality: Some companies are experimenting with augmented reality to allow consumers to “try on” products virtually before buying.

4. Digital payments: As digital payment options, like e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, become more popular, they are expected to become even more integrated into e-commerce.

Conclusion:

E-commerce has fundamentally changed the way we do business and continues to evolve rapidly. As more companies and consumers adopt electronic commerce, it becomes an increasingly essential part of the global economy. While there are still challenges to overcome, the future of e-commerce looks bright, with new technologies and trends constantly emerging to enhance the online shopping experience.

Research reveals high adoption of technologies in Brazilian retail and growth of e-commerce apps

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Research reveals high adoption of technologies in Brazilian retail and growth of e-commerce apps

A survey conducted by Instituto Locomotiva and PwC revealed that 88% of Brazilians have used some technology or trend applied to retail. The study highlights that shopping in marketplaces is the most adopted trend, with 66% uptake, followed by in-store pickup after online purchase (58%) and automated online support (46%).

The survey also showed that nine out of ten consumers prioritize brands that offer pleasant shopping experiences, convenience in delivery, and actions focused on sustainability. Renato Meirelles, president of Instituto Locomotiva, emphasizes that Brazilians still shop a lot in physical stores, even though they prefer to buy certain products online.

Although physical stores continue to be the most frequent experience, some products are already showing a predominance of online purchases, varying by category. Electronics and various courses have a higher uptake in e-commerce, while supermarkets, construction materials, and hygiene and beauty products are still more often purchased in physical stores.

Meanwhile, the e-commerce app market is on the rise. According to Adjust’s annual Mobile App Trends report, there was a 43% increase in installs and a 14% increase in sessions of virtual commerce apps in 2023. Bruno Bulso, COO of Kobe Apps, states that this growth reflects the increasing preference of consumers for mobile shopping experiences.

Latin America stood out by recording an increase in the average time spent per session in e-commerce apps, contrary to the global trend. Additionally, Shein’s leadership in the ranking of the most downloaded apps in the world highlights the need for brands to expand their digital channels to apps.

Brazil, classified as the fourth country in the world with the most app downloads in 2023, demonstrates the growing importance of mobile devices in the lives of Brazilian consumers. Experts emphasize that the omnichannel journey, integrating physical stores and apps, is a determining factor for completing purchases and customer loyalty.

Essential points for having a competitive e-commerce

Clóvis Souza
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Essential points for having a competitive e-commerce

E-commerce continues to grow. Numbers from the Brazilian Electronic Commerce Association (ABComm) indicate a revenue of R$ 73.5 billion in the first half of 2022. This represents a growth of 5% compared to the same period in 2021. 

This increase is aided by virtual stores enabling the sale of products to all regions of Brazil, for example. In addition to providing unique gifts for different styles and celebrations. However, an important point for the full functioning of the store is an engaged team.

For an e-commerce to explore its potential, it is necessary to implement strategies across all sectors – production, inventory, logistics, customer service, post-sales – to offer a complete experience to customers. Therefore, there are three fundamental pillars for an e-commerce to thrive: strategic planning, quality products, and efficient customer service.

The planning consists of selecting the products that the company will sell, taking good photos, and creating texts and creative content that attract the consumer. It is also essential to know the partners, check the expiry dates of perishable products, evaluate the logistics arrangements, meet deadlines, and address all the details that might eventually hinder the customer experience.

Quality products are a basic premise in any store, whether online or physical. When shopping for personal use or for gifts, there is always the care of researching versions, sizes, colors, in addition to the financial and emotional investment involved. This way, the customer may take into account the store where they made the purchase and, on a future occasion, return to the same place.

A differentiated customer service, in turn, can contribute to the return of customers to the e-commerce. It is an essential tool for gathering feedback from consumers, both positive and negative, and thus, enhancing the experience.

The habit of shopping online is a reality in the country, as it is a practical, efficient, comfortable, and often fast way, depending on the logistics process. It has become a path that should run parallel to the physical environment, so it is necessary to be careful to meet consumer expectations in the best possible way.

Expansion beyond e-commerce: how to differentiate strategies for retailers?

Clóvis Souza
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Expansion beyond e-commerce: how to differentiate strategies for retailers?

With a lot of determination and planning, it is possible to increase profits even in times of crisis. Despite the political and economic scenario in Brazil, coupled with the post-pandemic situation, Brazilian entrepreneurs are proving to be resilient. According to the Business Map Bulletin, in 2022, the country set a record for new business openings, with micro-enterprises and individual micro-entrepreneurs. In the first four months of the year, 1.3 million new companies were born.

For those in e-commerce, sales showed a decline this year, after the boom of online shopping during social isolation and the closure of physical stores. Research from the Brazilian Electronic Commerce Association (ABComm) indicates that there was a growth of 5% in the first half of 2022, when more than 6% was expected for online sales.

In this scenario, those in the segment need to invest in strategies that aim at expansion beyond online sales. Seeking a broader audience, focusing on addressing demands across various platforms. It is important to expand possibilities, combining e-commerce with physical stores, kiosks in shopping malls, and marketplaces.

The units selling in person provide the opportunity to evaluate the product, check the material, and have contact with the item before making the investment. The stimulation of various senses, such as touch, smell, hearing, sight, and even taste can make a difference in the shopping experience. Personal contact is warmer and enhances the reliability of a business. Talking to the seller is a factor that impacts a customer’s buying journey, which is why physical stores have this advantage.

When the store is on the street, it is possible to offer a more personalized experience, focusing on the product and the customer. However, kiosks in shopping malls and commercial centers also present the same benefits and gain points for practicality, as consumers can resolve other pending matters in the same environment.

The marketplace, on the other hand, is a business model that has revolutionized online retail, connecting different retailers to customers. According to a survey by Ebit Nielsen, these collaborative environments already account for 78% of the electronic commerce in Brazil. Furthermore, this sales model is one of the favorites among consumers.

According to research from the French company Mirakl, 86% of Brazilians identify marketplaces as the most satisfying way to shop online. Another opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain strength and go beyond traditional e-commerce – uniting the most diverse possibilities to their business.

Tramontina launches B2B e-commerce to expand reach and facilitate business purchases

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Tramontina launches B2B e-commerce to expand reach and facilitate business purchases

Tramontina, the renowned Brazilian company of utensils and tools, announced the launch of its exclusive e-commerce platform for B2B (business-to-business) sales and for use and consumption. This initiative marks an important digital expansion of the brand, complementing traditional service by representatives and offering a new way to interact with business clients.

The new online channel, available at empresas.tramontina.com.br, allows customers to access the company’s vast portfolio, which includes over 22,000 items. The range of products spans from household utilities and tools to furniture, also serving the hospitality and food service segments, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels, as well as retailers, wholesalers, and resellers.

Among the main benefits of the platform are:

  1. Fast and personalized shopping
  2. Complete order management, including those made online and by representatives
  3. Specialized support tailored to the specific needs of each client
  4. Free shipping for orders that meet the minimum purchase value

This initiative by Tramontina represents a significant step in digitizing its sales processes, aiming for closer ties with the brand and facilitating business management for its corporate clients. The company hopes that this new B2B sales channel will enhance its market reach and provide a more efficient and convenient shopping experience for its corporate clients.

Anatel releases a list of e-commerce sites with ads for illegal cell phones; Amazon and Mercado Livre top the ranking.

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Anatel releases a list of e-commerce sites with ads for illegal cell phones; Amazon and Mercado Livre top the ranking.

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) revealed last Friday (21) the results of an inspection carried out on e-commerce sites, focusing on advertisements for mobile phones without official certification or that entered the country illegally. This action is part of a new precautionary measure published by the agency to combat piracy.

According to the report, Amazon and Mercado Livre had the worst statistics. On Amazon, 51.52% of mobile phone ads were for non-certified products, while on Mercado Livre, this number reached 42.86%. Both companies were classified as “non-compliant” and will need to remove the irregular listings, under penalty of fines and possible removal of their sites.

Other companies, such as Lojas Americanas (22.86%) and Grupo Casas Bahia (7.79%), were considered “partially compliant” and will also need to make adjustments. On the other hand, Magazine Luiza did not have any records of illegal ads, being classified as “compliant”. Shopee and Carrefour, although no percentages were disclosed, were listed as “compliant” for already having made commitments to Anatel.

The president of Anatel, Carlos Baigorri, highlighted that negotiations with e-commerce companies have been occurring for about four years. He specifically criticized Amazon and Mercado Livre for not engaging in the collaborative process.

The inspection took place between June 1st and 7th, using a scanning tool with 95% accuracy. Anatel reported that after focusing on mobile phones, the agency will investigate other products illegally marketed without certification.

The precautionary measure published today aims to give companies another opportunity to comply with regulations, starting with mobile phones. Anatel emphasized that other companies, beyond the seven largest retailers mentioned, are also subject to the same requirements.

Magazine Luiza and AliExpress announce a groundbreaking partnership in e-commerce.

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Magazine Luiza and AliExpress announce a groundbreaking partnership in e-commerce.

Magazine Luiza and AliExpress have signed a historic agreement that will allow for cross-selling of products on their respective e-commerce platforms. This partnership marks the first time the Chinese marketplace will make its products available for sale by a foreign company, in an unprecedented cross-border strategy.

The collaboration aims to diversify the catalogs of both companies, leveraging each one’s strengths. While AliExpress is known for its variety in beauty items and tech accessories, Magazine Luiza has a strong presence in the market for home appliances and electronics.

With this initiative, the two platforms, which together account for over 700 million monthly visits and 60 million active customers, expect to significantly increase their sales conversion rates. The companies assure that there will be no changes to tax policies for consumers and that the guidelines of the Remessa Conforme program will be maintained, including the exemption of fees for purchases under $50.

The announcement of the partnership was well received by the financial market, resulting in a more than 10% increase in the shares of Magazine Luiza, which had been facing a nearly 50% decline over the year.

This collaboration represents an important milestone in the Brazilian and international e-commerce landscape, promising to expand purchasing options for consumers and strengthen the position of both companies in the market.

Deliveries and prices: how to retain customers in e-commerce?

Clóvis Souza
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Deliveries and prices: how to retain customers in e-commerce?

Philip Kotler, in his book “Marketing Management,” states that acquiring a new customer costs five to seven times more than keeping the existing ones. After all, for the recurring customer, there is no need to invest marketing effort to present the brand and gain trust. This consumer already knows the company, the service, and the products.

In the online environment, this task is more strategic due to the lack of the face to face experience. Retaining customers in e-commerce requires specific actions to satisfy the consumer, strengthen the relationship, and encourage them to buy more often.

This finding may seem obvious, but it is only possible to retain buyers who were satisfied with the experience they had. If they are dissatisfied due to an error in the payment process or delayed delivery, for example, they may not return and could even speak negatively about the brand.

On the other hand, loyalty is also beneficial for the consumer. Upon discovering a reliable e-commerce platform with quality products and fair prices, good service, and timely deliveries, they do not get exhausted and begin to see that store as a reference. This generates trust and credibility that the company meets their needs effectively.

In this scenario, two elements are essential to ensure the loyalty process: deliveries and prices. It’s interesting to know some essential strategies to strengthen these operations, especially in the virtual environment:

1) Investment in last mile 

The final phase of delivery to the consumer is one of the keys to ensuring a good experience. In a company with national reach, for example, it is crucial to establish partnerships with local organizations that can handle deliveries in a more personalized manner. Additionally, a tip is to conduct exchanges and training with regional delivery personnel to ensure that the order arrives in perfect condition and reflects the brand well. Finally, this strategy also lowers costs and reduces shipping for the consumer, providing a solution to one of the main pain points in today’s online sales market.

2) Packaging

The moment of packaging the product is important. Treating each delivery as unique, considering the packaging needs and peculiarities of each item is essential to ensure proper handling. Furthermore, personalizing deliveries with special touches makes a difference, such as handwritten cards, spritzes of perfume, and sending gifts.

3) Omnichannel

Having data tools and thorough, careful analysis is essential in a business to bring this experience to the consumer. The benefits are numerous. Firstly, there is more assertive communication and smarter strategies when we implement omnichannel, since the user enjoys a unified experience online and offline. The service becomes even more personalized and accurate.

4) Marketplace

Entering a broader environment of offerings allows for a variety of shopping options. This way, it is possible to meet the diverse needs of the audience, bringing alternatives for all tastes and styles. Today, this tool has become essential for e-commerce. It is necessary to offer diversified options, with effective solutions for the audience’s demands, as well as to focus on different offers with low price options.

5) Inclusion

Finally, thinking about inclusive platforms enables democratic service and reaches an even larger audience. Offering purchases via phone or WhatsApp, as well as providing personalized service through customer support, are alternatives widely used today.

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