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Merchant Payments Friction Report 2026

We’re compiling operator perspectives on where merchant financial operations still break down.

This short form (6–8 minutes) is focused on operational friction across payments, reconciliation, reporting, and settlement.


A summary of findings will be shared with contributors.

What best describes your current level of responsibility?

Choose one that is most aligned with your work
What best describes your current level of responsibility?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

Which area best describes your role?

Choose one that is most aligned with your work
Which area best describes your role?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

Company stage

Choose One
Company stage
A
B
C
D
E

How directly are you involved in payments, finance, or settlement operations?

How directly are you involved in payments, finance, or settlement operations?
A
B
C
D

From a financial operations perspective, where does your business experience the most friction today?

Choose any that apply (multi-select)
From a financial operations perspective, where does your business experience the most friction today?

Which of the following still require manual work or workarounds?

Choose any that apply (multi-select)
Which of the following still require manual work or workarounds?

How clearly can you answer the following today?

Define each from Very clearly (best) to Not at all (worst)
Very clearly
Somewhat
Not clearly
Not at all
N/A to my work
Where our money is right now
What fees we are actually paying
What will settle today vs later
What is tied up in reserves or holds
Our true net revenue by channel

Which capabilities would materially improve how you operate your business?

Choose any that apply (multi-select)
Which capabilities would materially improve how you operate your business?

If you could improve only ONE of the above in 2026, which would it be?

Choose One
If you could improve only ONE of the above in 2026, which would it be?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J

How relevant are stablecoins or non-traditional rails to your business today?

Choose One
How relevant are stablecoins or non-traditional rails to your business today?
A
B
C
D