Philippine e-wallet provider GCash has launched an NFC-based payment feature that will allow its users to pay at more than 150 million Mastercard-accepting merchants worldwide, expanding its reach beyond QR-enabled transactions.
The new service, called GCash Tap to Pay, is powered through a partnership between Alipay+—the global payments network of Ant International—and Mastercard. It enables users to make contactless payments directly from their GCash account without the need for a linked credit or debit card.
NFC, or near field communication, is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to exchange information when held close together—similar to tapping a card or smartphone at a payment terminal.
“With Tap to Pay, we’re not just modernising payments; we’re empowering Filipinos with a seamless and globally competitive solution that is locally relevant and universally accessible,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, the operator of GCash.
The feature works with NFC-enabled Android devices and can be used at point-of-sale terminals where Mastercard contactless payments are accepted. It complements GCash’s existing QR payment option available in more than 50 markets, broadening acceptance for Filipino travellers and consumers.
Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, said GCash was among the first Alipay+ partners to enable NFC payments. “Alipay+’s collaboration with Mastercard is redefining a new future of global payments, enabling partner wallets to be accepted at Mastercard NFC merchants around the world,” he said.
GCash said the service incorporates multi-layered security protocols and encryption to safeguard transactions, whether for small purchases or higher-value payments.
The company, which has over 100 million registered users, said Tap to Pay reduces the reliance on physical cash and simplifies cross-border commerce for Filipinos.
