The January 2026 PYMNTS Intelligence report “Digital Identity Verification in the Age of Bots and Agents” draws on a survey of 350 companies across financial services, retail, software, travel and other sectors. It found that digital identity checks now sit at the center of both growth and risk. Among financial firms, 76% generate at least three-quarters of their revenue through digital channels. Still, 74.6% say their verification technology produces inconsistent results. The upside is that firms can improve without starting over.