We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Digital Currency and Payments Stocks To Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) stands against the other digital currency and payments stocks.
The Digital Payment Revolution: Growth Trends and Insights
The digital currency and payments sector is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer expectations. Digital money continues to reshape how transactions are conducted, making them faster, cheaper, and more accessible. According to a report by The Business Research Company, the global digital payments market was valued at $115.93 billion in 2023. The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% during 2024-2028 to reach a value of $180.26 billion by the end of the forecast period.
The rise of e-commerce and technology-driven initiatives is significantly boosting the digital payments market. Consumers are increasingly choosing non-cash payment methods because they are easier and more convenient for transactions. This trend is expected to lead to a growth in low-cost payment terminals and methods like QR codes in the near future.
A major driver behind this shift is the younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation Z, who are quick to adopt digital payment services. Online banking has become a popular choice among young users, who demand personalized and flexible experiences. As businesses adapt to these expectations, enhancing customer experience has become crucial for success in the competitive digital payment landscape.
The McKinsey Digital Payments Survey 2024 reveals that the use of digital payments is steadily increasing in both the United States and Europe. Approximately 9 in 10 consumers in these regions have made at least one digital payment in the past year, with the US reaching a record high of 92%. In the US, in-app and in-store digital payments are growing rapidly. In-app purchases now account for 60% of digital payment usage, up by 8 percentage points since 2019. Additionally, the adoption of digital wallets for in-store transactions has risen from 19% in 2019 to 28% in 2024. This shift represents a significant market, with around $10 trillion spent annually by consumers across the United States and Europe.
Notably, the survey also found that about one in five users often leave their physical wallets at home, opting for digital payment methods instead. In-store digital wallet usage is similar between the US and several European countries. This also includes traditionally cash-heavy nations like Germany and Italy, where about a quarter of respondents reported using digital wallets for in-store purchases in the past year. This trend indicates a broader acceptance of digital payments among consumers across various markets.
Methodology
To compile our list of the 10 best digital currency and payments stocks to invest in, we consulted various online resources and also reviewed our own rankings. This exercise provided us with a list of the best digital money stocks. From an initial pool of more than 20 digital currency and payments stocks, we focused on the top 10 stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q3 2024 database of 900 elite hedge funds. The 10 best digital currency and payments stocks to invest in are ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
Is Block Inc. (SQ) The Best Digital Currency and Payments Stock To Invest In?
A man and a woman in matching suits with a a digital tablet highlighting a payment solution.
Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ), previously known as Square Inc., is a prominent technology company focused on financial services. Its ecosystem includes Square, Cash App, TIDAL, and TBD, all designed to enhance access to the economy for various users. Square simplifies commerce for sellers with integrated solutions, while Cash App allows users to easily send, spend, and invest their money in stocks or even Bitcoin. Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) is one of the best digital money stocks to invest in.
In the third quarter of 2024, Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) reported impressive financial results. Gross profit grew by 19% year-over-year, reaching $2.25 billion. Square contributed $932 million to this figure, up 16%, while Cash App significantly increased its gross profit by 21%, totaling $1.31 billion. This growth reflects the company’s strong market position and effective strategies for expanding its services.
The company is also innovating with new features for sellers, including an enhanced point-of-sale experience for restaurants and a unified app for sellers expected to launch broadly in 2025. Additionally, Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) is on track to transform 24 million Cash App Cards into a better alternative to credit cards when the company introduces Afterpay on Cash App Cards. Given these strategic moves and the robust financial performance demonstrated in Q3 2024, Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) presents a compelling opportunity for investors looking at digital currency and payments stocks.
Overall SQ ranks 6th on our list of the best digital currency and payments stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of SQ as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SQ but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
