Strengthening Our Global Advocacy for 2026

As we bring 2025 to a close, it’s clear that this has been a defining year for the ATM and cash ecosystem. Around the world, payments are transforming at unprecedented speed — yet the fundamental need for access, resilience, and choice remains unchanged. Throughout the year, ATMIA’s advocacy has been anchored by four core pillars: sustainability, resilience, financial inclusion, and hybrid cash–digital ecosystems. These pillars are shaping our strategy today and will continue to guide us into 2026.

Sustainability: Building Long-Term Strength

The sustainability of cash access and ATM operations has been at the forefront of industry discussions in 2025. Rising costs, operational pressures, and shifting consumer behaviours require long-term thinking and coordinated advocacy. ATMIA has continued to champion sustainable interchange models, modernised cash cycles, and efficient infrastructure — ensuring that ATM networks remain viable and accessible for years to come.

Resilience: Protecting Stability in an Uncertain World

The year has also highlighted the importance of payment system resilience. From cyber incidents to network outages and power disruptions, we have seen that digital systems alone cannot carry the weight of national payment needs. Cash and ATMs remain a critical fallback — a stabilising force that ensures continuity when other systems falter. ATMIA’s advocacy this year reinforced that true resilience means safeguarding cash as part of national infrastructure.

Financial Inclusion: Keeping Access at the Centre

Millions across the globe still rely on cash as their primary means of participating in the economy. ATMs, IAD networks, and cash-in/cash-out channels continue to play a vital role in serving rural communities, low-income households, and underserved populations. In 2025, ATMIA worked actively with members, partners, and policymakers to ensure that access to cash remains protected and prioritised as an essential public good.

Hybrid Ecosystems: The Payments Model of the Future

One of the clearest trends of the year is the shift toward hybrid payments ecosystems, where cash and digital coexist and reinforce each other. As countries modernise their payment systems, the message is consistent across regions: consumers want choice. A balanced cash–digital environment supports innovation while ensuring inclusion, trust, and continuity. ATMIA will continue to advocate for policies that recognise this hybrid reality as the future of payments.

The Advocacy Fund: A Collective Investment in Our Industry’s Future

The progress we’ve made this year would not be possible without the Industry (Advocacy) Fund. Your contributions directly support the research, regulatory engagement, policy dialogue, and thought leadership that elevate the voice of our industry globally.

The Fund has enabled us to:

• Develop impactful reports and white papers
• Strengthen our regional and global advocacy programmes
• Engage effectively with regulatory bodies and policymakers
• Expand our work into new markets and emerging regions
• Provide members with timely insights and strategic intelligence

As we look ahead to 2026, your ongoing support for the Advocacy Fund will be more important than ever. Regulatory landscapes are shifting rapidly, and the role of cash in society remains under scrutiny. Ensuring a fair, balanced, and sustainable future for our industry requires a united, well-resourced advocacy effort.

Looking Forward

Thank you to all our members, partners, and supporters for your commitment throughout 2025. Your engagement and contributions continue to make ATMIA the leading global voice for ATMs, cash, and payments resilience.

Together, we will enter 2026 with renewed focus — championing sustainability, protecting cash access, supporting hybrid ecosystems, and ensuring that financial inclusion remains at the heart of global payments policy.

Here’s to a resilient, innovative, and unified year ahead.