In recent years, that science has completely changed. There has been a seismic shift from physical payments to digital ones, with people increasingly buying online rather than in a brick-and-mortar store and choosing to pay by card or mobile wallet, not cash. Mastercard is helping entrepreneurs across the country adjust to the rapid, irreversible shift to the digital era. During a recent visit to Ohio, company leaders met with small business owners at forums in Bowling Green and Newark, where they could share their experiences of accepting contactless payments, obtaining credit, and building an online presence. More than eight in ten consumers in the U.S. migrated to digital payments after the pandemic. It is critical that the 32.5 million small businesses in the U.S. adapt quickly to the new era, not least because they are the lifeblood of the country’s economy, contributing around 50% of the nation’s GDP.