Latest news with #NFC-enabled
India Today
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
5 smart payment tips from Visa to elevate your concert experience
As music festivals and concerts continue to grow in scale and excitement, fans are no longer just attendees—they're investing in unforgettable experiences. Technology is transforming how we enjoy live events, and payment methods have become faster, smarter, and more secure. On World Music Day, here are some simple, tech-friendly tips powered by Visa that music lovers can use to make the most of every concert music festivals and concerts are becoming bigger, louder, and more unforgettable, with Indian fans travelling across the world to see their favourite artists perform live. Visa data shows a 70% increase in face-to-face card transactions by Indian cardholders during the Coldplay concerts in the UAE, indicating that consumers are relying on secure and seamless payments to enhance their concert World Music Day, Visa shares smart, tech-enabled tips to help music lovers enjoy every moment of concerts, without missing a early access with credit card rewards: Get ahead of the crowd to buy tickets by making the most of your credit cards, like those on the Visa network, and enjoy other benefits, including exclusive discounts, cashback and with Contactless Confidence: Ditch cash and arm yourself with your contactless-enabled Visa credit card for fast and secure purchases at the venue. One tap is all it takes to start building a light, pay right with cards in your mobile wallet: Don't even want to carry a wallet? Simply add your Visa card to your mobile wallet or use your NFC-enabled phone or smartwatch for secure, on-the-go payments — whether it's for your favourite band tee or a quick energy time and coast through lines: Many concerts use QR code–based wallet payments. Load your stored wallet in advance using your Visa card to earn rewards as well as have a seamless checkout at food and merch Safely and Wander Freely: Need cash for your commute home? Your Visa Debit card has got your back with secure withdrawals at nearby ATMs to ensure emergency cash is always at hand. Keep these tips handy to navigate every tap, dip and swipe at your next concert experience and let the music take over.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Now, Axis Bank users can tap and pay up to ₹5,000 via a smartwatch
Axis Bank customers can now make contactless payments through their smartwatch by tokenising their cards on the Crest Pay app, the bank announced on June 19, 2025. The new payment feature is available on the Wave Fortune smartwatch, launched in partnership with boAt and Mastercard. The wearable device, priced at ₹3,299 and currently selling at an introductory rate of ₹2,599, allows users to make tap-and-pay transactions without pulling out their phone or wallet. 'With Crest Pay and tokenisation, we're making secure contactless payments more accessible,' said a Mastercard spokesperson. The service works with both Mastercard and Visa cards issued by Axis Bank. The tap-and-pay feature uses tokenisation, replacing actual card details with a unique digital code stored securely in the smartwatch strap—making it safe from scammers, skimmed cards, and duplicate payments. Contactless payments through the strap The NFC payment feature is embedded in the watch strap itself. Once users add their Axis Bank credit or debit cards via the Crest Pay app, the card is tokenised—meaning it is converted into a secure digital version—before being stored in the strap. 'The smartwatch will allow the users with the highest standards of safety and security, combined with a quick and convenient payment experience,' said Arnika Dixit, president and head of cards, payments and wealth management at Axis Bank. Tokenisation is handled by Mastercard's system, while the backend infrastructure is provided by Tappy Technologies. Users can pay up to ₹5,000 per transaction at any compatible point-of-sale terminal without entering a PIN. According to Mastercard, wearable tech will soon become a standard way to pay. 'In the near future, payments will be gesture-based — integrated into our daily routines, with transactions occurring in a frictionless manner. Wearable devices, irrespective of the form factor, will play a key role in this evolution, offering quick and secure payment experiences,' said Gautam Aggarwal, division president for South Asia at Mastercard. Despite being wearable-based, cardholders continue to receive cashback, reward points, or any benefits linked to their original plastic cards. The smartwatch is currently available in an Active Black finish and can be purchased from the official boAt website. Other smartwatch payment options in India India has seen several NFC-enabled wearable launches over the past few years: Titan Pay Launched: October 2020 Titan partnered with SBI and YELDI Softcom to introduce Visa card payments through a chip in the watch strap. GOQii Smart Vital Launched: September 2021 Enabled NFC payments through a tie-up with YES Bank and Mastercard on GOQii fitness bands. Apple Watch (Apple Pay in India) Launched: May 2022 Introduced with limited support via HDFC Bank and Axis Bank for Mastercard and Visa users. Garmin Pay Launched: January 2021 Rolled out with contactless payment support for Axis and ICICI Bank cardholders using Mastercard and Visa. Each of these solutions uses a combination of tokenisation and embedded chips to enable secure, contactless transactions directly from wearables.
Biz Bahrain
5 days ago
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
NBB and Batelco by Beyon Sign Strategic Agreement to Empower Businesses with Integrated Digital Solutions
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Batelco by Beyon, to deliver integrated service packages to their business clients. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in advancing Bahrain's digital economy by combining secure fintech services with comprehensive connectivity offerings. The agreement will allow Batelco to offer its corporate customers a bundled suite of services that includes its range of connectivity solutions alongside 'NBB GO', the Bank's SoftPOS application. The collaboration aims to provide a seamless one-stop solution for businesses, enabling them to manage both their connectivity and payment processing needs with greater ease and efficiency. Commenting on the occasion, Hisham AlKurdi, Group Chief Executive – Markets & Client Solutions at NBB said, 'This partnership represents a powerful alignment of two national institutions working together to deliver meaningful value to businesses across Bahrain. By integrating NBB GO into Batelco's bundled offerings, we are enabling entrepreneurs and SMEs to benefit from a streamlined, secure, and efficient payment solution that complements their communication needs. It is a significant step towards creating a digitally inclusive ecosystem where innovation and ease-of-use are at the forefront of service delivery.' For his part, Abdulla Danesh, General Manager of Enterprise at Batelco stated, 'This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to rethinking how businesses across Bahrain access and utilise digital services. By joining hands with NBB, we are combining secure payment technologies with advanced connectivity solutions to deliver a comprehensive experience for our enterprise clients. It highlights how we are focused on enriching their capabilities to embrace innovation, operate more effectively, and contribute to the Kingdom's broader developmental objectives.' NBB GO is an innovative Android-based solution that transforms any NFC-enabled smartphone into a secure POS terminal, allowing businesses to accept contactless card and mobile wallet payments without the need for traditional point-of-sale devices. Offered as an app on the Google Play Store, it provides an accessible, secure, and cost-effective way for merchants to modernise their payment infrastructure and embrace cashless transactions. With connectivity and fintech services packaged together, businesses can enhance their operational capabilities, reduce overheads, and deliver a better experience to their customers. The collaboration reflects both organisations' dedication to supporting economic development by equipping businesses with forward-looking tools that drive convenience, security, and scalability. Through this initiative, NBB and Beyon continue to empower Bahraini enterprises and contribute to the broader vision of a cashless, digitally advanced ecosystem.
Bahrain This Week
5 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
NBB and Batelco by Beyon Partner to Deliver Integrated Digital Solutions for Businesses
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Batelco by Beyon, to deliver integrated service packages to their business clients. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in advancing Bahrain's digital economy by combining secure fintech services with comprehensive connectivity offerings. The agreement will allow Batelco to offer its corporate customers a bundled suite of services that includes its range of connectivity solutions alongside 'NBB GO', the Bank's SoftPOS application. The collaboration aims to provide a seamless one-stop solution for businesses, enabling them to manage both their connectivity and payment processing needs with greater ease and efficiency. Commenting on the occasion, Hisham AlKurdi, Group Chief Executive – Markets & Client Solutions at NBB said, 'This partnership represents a powerful alignment of two national institutions working together to deliver meaningful value to businesses across Bahrain. By integrating NBB GO into Batelco's bundled offerings, we are enabling entrepreneurs and SMEs to benefit from a streamlined, secure, and efficient payment solution that complements their communication needs. It is a significant step towards creating a digitally inclusive ecosystem where innovation and ease-of-use are at the forefront of service delivery.' For his part, Abdulla Danesh, General Manager of Enterprise at Batelco stated, 'This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to rethinking how businesses across Bahrain access and utilise digital services. By joining hands with NBB, we are combining secure payment technologies with advanced connectivity solutions to deliver a comprehensive experience for our enterprise clients. It highlights how we are focused on enriching their capabilities to embrace innovation, operate more effectively, and contribute to the Kingdom's broader developmental objectives.' NBB GO is an innovative Android-based solution that transforms any NFC-enabled smartphone into a secure POS terminal, allowing businesses to accept contactless card and mobile wallet payments without the need for traditional point-of-sale devices. Offered as an app on the Google Play Store, it provides an accessible, secure, and cost-effective way for merchants to modernise their payment infrastructure and embrace cashless transactions. With connectivity and fintech services packaged together, businesses can enhance their operational capabilities, reduce overheads, and deliver a better experience to their customers. The collaboration reflects both organisations' dedication to supporting economic development by equipping businesses with forward-looking tools that drive convenience, security, and scalability. Through this initiative, NBB and Beyon continue to empower Bahraini enterprises and contribute to the broader vision of a cashless, digitally advanced ecosystem.
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Turning Smartphones into Sales Tools: OAB Leads Digital Innovation
Muscat. 16 June 2025. In a bold stride toward digital innovation and financial inclusion, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has unveiled its cutting-edge Soft POS (Point of Sale) solution, transforming ordinary smartphones into secure, contactless payment terminals. This game-changing product is reshaping how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Oman conduct business—streamlining operations, boosting mobility, and reducing overhead. Designed with the needs of entrepreneurs, mobile vendors, and growing SMEs in mind, OAB's Soft POS system eliminates the cost and complexity of traditional POS devices. By simply downloading the 'OAB Mobile Pay' app on any NFC-enabled Android smartphone, merchants can start accepting card payments instantly—no cables, no paper, and no extra equipment. The system supports contactless payments via debit and credit cards, mobile wallets, and smart devices. It also offers digital receipts, real-time inventory management, tax tools, and liquidity tracking—all from the palm of the merchant's hand. Most merchants are up and running within 24 hours of applying. Mr Juma Al Fulaiti, Deputy Head of Retail Banking in Oman Arab Bank, stated, 'Our Soft POS solution reflects OAB's deep commitment to SME empowerment and financial accessibility. We believe in giving businesses the needed digital tools to thrive. So by reducing the barriers to cashless commerce, we're helping Oman's entrepreneurs grow with agility and confidence.' The technology was also on display at the Muscat International Book Fair 2025, where it facilitated a totally cashless experience, showcasing its scalability and ease of use during high-traffic events. As part of its broader digital banking strategy, Oman Arab Bank continues to bridge the gap between innovation and inclusion. And with the Soft POS platform, OAB is not only meeting the market's evolving needs but also enabling a smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial ecosystem, empowering a nation with intuitive solutions that drive forward customers, and enables them to persevere.
