Bluecode Introduces Contactless NFC Payments Alongside Existing Barcode and QR Code technology

European mobile payment system Bluecode is introducing contactless NFC payments, expanding its offering for iOS and Android devices as a complementary technology to existing barcode and QR code solutions. This allows users of Bluecode partners, such as issuing banks, to make secure, contactless payments simply by holding their smartphones at payment terminals. Bluecode NFC is part of the Bluecode SDK (Software Development Kit), which can be easily integrated into apps from banks, but also into apps from other partners, such as retailers.

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“Bluecode NFC complements our payment technology mix for all releant use cases, including merchant scan for loyalty and value-added services, user scan for small merchants and e-commerce, and now, NFC for basic acceptance,” says Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode.

The move to add NFC to the offering also follows a recent regulatory change in the European Union requiring Apple to enable NFC access for third-party payment providers on iOS devices. Bluecode can also be activated in the future with a double click on the smartphone.

Key benefits for banks, acceptance partners, and end users:

For banks: The new NFC option allows banks to offer account-to-account payments seamlessly through various technologies, in addition to Bluecode’s existing barcode and QR code technology.
For acceptance partners: Bluecode’s NFC integration requires no additional adjustments from acceptance partners (merchants, gastronomy, tourism, sports, etc.)
For end users: Users can now benefit from the advantages of barcode, QR code and NFC payment technologies.

“We are excited to expand our offering with NFC support, giving users the choice to tap and scan across a wide range of merchants,” said Christian Pirkner and adds: “Our mission remains to deliver an account based European payment solution that is secure, accessible, and easy-to-use. Bluecode benefits European banks, merchants, and consumers alike.”

Adding the NFC technology also enables Bluecode to collaborate with NFC-based payment schemes in the future, the same way Bluecode has entered into interoperability agreements with barcode and QR code based networks (such as Alipay+ and fellow EMPSA member Bancomat). The NFC payment option is currently available for a closed user group and will be gradually rolled out by Bluecode issuers in the coming months.