Those of us embedded in the identity industry pay special attention to mobile credentials. Although I have wondered whether mobile ID adoption will decrease, we’ve assumed that digital identities will advance.
Just like the death of passwords.
You can see where this is going.
ABI Research has shared its predictions on 13 technology trends for 2026. I paid special attention to number 11.
“It is clear that digital-first identity systems are unlikely to become standard. Most governments will still rely heavily on physical credentials through 2026. Physical documents, such as diver’s licenses and passports, have long life spans. Physical security is already a proven technology, making it essential for continued trust and accessibility in the wake of ever-more sophisticated attack methods. ABI Research cybersecurity analysts view mobile ID as more of a companion to physical credentials.”
Oh, and number 12.
“Interest in biometric payment cards has waned due to high costs and complex onboarding. Zwipe’s bankruptcy in March 2025 is emblematic of this latest trend. To extract returns from their prior investments in biometrics, digital payment providers are pivoting to other markets like secure access and cold wallets. Going forward, the technology will shift from mainstream ambition to specialty use cases, with fewer launches expected in 2026.”
To see what these and the other 11 predictions mean, read the ABI Research article.
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