JCB unites with Soft Space to develop ‘Tap on Mobile’

JCB Co, Japan’s only international payment brand, is leveraging Asia’s leading fintech player, Soft Space technological expertise to develop the Tap on Mobile programme that capitalises on the wide availability of Android smartphones equipped with NFC (near-field communication).

JCB Contactless card or mobile device can be used at any merchants that support JCB Contactless. Aimed at driving greater contactless acceptance among JCB acquirers worldwide, JCB has developed the Tap on Mobile programme which will be used to govern all aspects of contactless payment transactions securely made on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, off the shelf. This programme is secure and interoperable based on EMV and PCI standards.

The initiative to develop the Tap on Mobile programme is a significant milestone for JCB as it believes that the Tap on Mobile solution is the future of payments, and is poised to help JCB significantly grow its acceptance business globally going forward.

Tac Watanabe, the Executive Vice President for JCB’s Brand Infrastructure and Technologies Department commented: “We are pleased to be working with Soft Space on this Tap on Mobile programme. 

“The Tap on Mobile is secure yet convenient for our customers, and given the growth of contactless payment transaction and consumer smartphones worldwide, we believe that the Tap on Mobile will be the key initiative for JCB to drive our contactless agenda to grow globally.”

Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer of Soft Space added: “We are privileged to be working on JCB’s Tap on Mobile programme. With businesses being constantly challenged by changing global economic scenarios, Tap on Mobile is a tool that can aid them through such times by offering them an innovative, cost-effective and secure payment solution.”

The Tap on Mobile programme builds on the expertise gained through Soft Space’s development of “Fasstap”.