Bluecode Launches NFC Payments on iOS and Android, Expanding Global Acceptance While Strengthening European Payment Sovereignty

Bluecode, the European mobile payment system, today announced the go-live of its NFC payment solution on both iOS and Android devices. Through a strategic collaboration with Discover® Network, Bluecode scheme members can enable NFC payments for their users at millions of locations worldwide¹, while maintaining European payment sovereignty.

23.06.2026 - The collaboration with Discover Network underscores Bluecode’s concept of “Payment Roaming,” which aims to make its payment system interoperable with other national and international payment networks while upholding key European principles. Integrating with Discover® Network and Diners Club International® infrastructure represents a major milestone in Bluecode’s mission to build a sovereign, interoperable European payment solution with global reach.

Two phones with Bluecode Screens. One shows the a Bluecode card and the option to pay via NFC. The other one shows the success screen after the payment.

Discover Network connects 30+ Network Alliances worldwide², including RuPay (India), Elo (Brazil), and Troy (Turkey), and provides access to a broad global merchant ecosystem. For Bluecode issuing banks and their users, this collaboration enables interoperability with all of these payment schemes while maintaining highest European standards for security, privacy, and data protection.

The core foundation of this sovereignty is Bluecode’s European payment infrastructure. The solution is built on a European SDK (Software Development Kit) and a European token service, allowing for complete transaction processing to take place within Europe, without any data or fees leaving Europe. Consequently, all transactions remain within the Bluecode scheme, meaning that all banks issue Bluecode and all their users pay with Bluecode.

“Working with Discover Network marks a significant milestone in further establishing Bluecode as a European mobile payment system with worldwide reach,” said Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode. “It allows our issuing banks to offer a globally accepted, account-based NFC payment solution while remaining fully within the Bluecode scheme.”

This development also supports Europe’s strategic goal of greater autonomy in payments. Bluecode’s interoperability approach is a strong path to achieve European-wide and even global coverage for a truly European way to pay. It offers European issuing banks a compelling alternative to non-European payment schemes, one that combines sovereignty, regulatory alignment, and user convenience with global acceptance.

Matt Sloan, Vice President, International Markets at Discover® Network, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Bluecode is a strong example of how Discover Network can bring value to European domestic schemes, banks, merchants, and consumers. Together, we are providing Bluecode users with access to millions of locations worldwide.”

The first issuing partners have already integrated Bluecode’s NFC payment capabilities, starting with payments across the Eurozone. By enabling NFC payments across both major mobile platforms, Bluecode continues to drive adoption while advancing its vision of interoperability, payment sovereignty, and global acceptance. With this, Bluecode represents a viable European path to deliver a truly European payment system, built in Europe, for Europeans, and accepted worldwide.

¹ Total cards include open cards on Discover® Network, DCI and network alliances. Based on information provided by network participants, and RBR Data Services published as of 2024.

² Based on signed Network Alliance Agreements

About Bluecode:

Bluecode is a European mobile payment system enabling cashless payments via barcode, QR code, and NFC directly out of digital wallets, bank and partner apps into the largest point-of-sale payment network in the world. Bluecode is either directly linked to the user’s bank account, digital wallet or used as a prepaid solution. Bluecode collaborates with international networks such as Discover Network, Alipay+, and EMPSA (European Mobile Payment Systems Association) and implemented legal, technical and commercial interoperability with over 50 payment schemes around the world, building a global acceptance network of over 200 million merchants. The Bluecode payment technology is available in the Bluecode app and can be integrated into any digital wallet, bank or partner app enabling payments at point-of-sale globally. One connection to the Bluecode scheme gives global payment reach. More information: www.bluecode.com

Press contact:

Blue Code International AG
Schützenstrasse 7
CH-8853 Lachen SZ Switzerland
press@bluecode.com
Claudio Wilhelmer
PR & Special Projects
+43 (0)676 4959890