New dLocal data reveals how adding local payment methods can drive merchant transaction growth of up to 55%

Montevideo, Uruguay, 19th October 2026 — Merchant data from dLocal’s 2026 research shows that a second local payment method has driven significant new transaction volume for merchants, rather than taking share from existing payment options. This seems to be a consistent pattern across several markets, highlighted by merchant case studies in the publication, The Local Code, launched today by the leading cross-border payment platform connecting global enterprise merchants to emerging markets.

The Local Code is a playbook for payments in markets of the future, and draws from dLocal’s own merchant transaction data, third-party market data including the standardized payment and commerce market intelligence platform PCMI, as well as dLocal’s 2026 retail consumer survey, across 17 markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. 

A merchant in Brazil saw total transaction volume grow 55% within five months of adding Pix, the country’s instant payment system, alongside its existing payment options. A merchant in Peru had a similar result with Yape, which overtook cards as its leading payment method within three months and drove total transaction volume up more than 25% over six months. Colombia tells the same story from a different angle: Nequi’s share of one merchant’s transaction volume grew from 63% to 68% within six months, almost entirely from new spend rather than from existing cardholders switching to Nequi.

This points to local payment methods as a growth lever for merchants in emerging markets, not just a checkout function. Each additional local method reaches a different slice of the customer base, whether through an instant payment system, a local eWallet or a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider, rather than simply splitting share between options already on offer. For merchants weighing the cost of another integration against the return, these figures suggest that return often shows up as volume that wouldn’t otherwise exist.

The effect extends beyond total volume. In Mexico, a merchant that added Kueski, a local Buy Now, Pay Later  provider, alongside its existing payment options saw average order value rise 6.1% compared with debit card purchases.

Local payment methods also reduced processing costs for merchants in the data set. Processing costs fell 19% in Colombia following the addition of Nequi, and 30% in Peru after Yape became the merchant’s leading payment method.

Pedro Arnt, CEO at dLocal said, “Across the markets we work in, we keep seeing the same pattern: a second local payment method doesn’t eat into the first, it reaches customers the first one never touched. That matters beyond conversion. Millions of people across these markets have a phone and no credit history, which shouldn’t stop them buying things online. When merchants accept the payment methods people already use every day, that barrier goes away, and it becomes a real route into the digital economy for people who didn’t have access before.”

For merchants and payments leaders evaluating expansion in emerging markets, The Local Code reveals the local payment behaviors and market dynamics shaping these markets, helping them spot opportunities, guide payment strategy, and get ahead of the curve.

This press release contains forward looking statements, including statements regarding potential future expansion into additional markets and payment methods. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. dLocal nor does not undertake any obligation to update these statements except as required by law

About dLocal

dLocal builds financial infrastructure for markets of the future, connecting global enterprises with with billions of emerging market consumers in more than 60 countries across high‑growth markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Through the "One dLocal" concept (one direct API, one platform, and one contract), global companies can accept payments, send payouts, and settle funds globally without the need to manage multiple local entities and integrations. 

For more information, visit www.dlocal.com.
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