Russia unveils alternative to Apple Pay
Russia’s national payment card operator has introduced a competitor to Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russia's National Payment Card System (NSPK) has introduced a new domestic service aimed at replacing Apple Pay and Google Pay, as announced by its general director on Thursday.
This innovative solution will enable users of both Android and iOS smartphones to conduct contactless payments via Bluetooth, Dmitry Dubinin stated during the Finnopolis financial technology forum held in Sochi.
According to NSPK, the operator of the Mir payment system—the Russian alternative to Visa and Mastercard—approximately 20 Russian banks have shown interest in this new technology, which also supports non-cash payments within Russia.
“Our solution is that we provide contactless payment using this technology which operates with a short range capability using a payment terminal,” Dubinin explained. “Essentially, this is a method of identifying a payment that is no longer available to us, on iPhones, for example.”
Since 2022, users within Russia have been unable to use Apple Pay and Google Pay due to Ukraine-related sanctions placed on Russian banks by Western nations. Concurrently, Visa and MasterCard halted their operations in Russia, preventing the use of Russian-issued credit or debit cards for international transactions or online purchases.
Currently, NSPK has only unveiled a prototype for the service named ‘Volna.’ The technology can be seamlessly integrated into mobile banking applications, enabling users to make payments via their smartphones.
The service is designed to function both online and offline but will necessitate a new type of payment terminal that is compatible with this technology, NSPK highlighted.
“Unlike NFC, payment using Volna can be made at a slightly longer distance from the terminal and you don’t have to worry about the position of the smartphone,” the company added.
The initiative to create a national payment system commenced in 2014, following the imposition of U.S. sanctions on the country. Mir cards were introduced into circulation in December 2015.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
This innovative solution will enable users of both Android and iOS smartphones to conduct contactless payments via Bluetooth, Dmitry Dubinin stated during the Finnopolis financial technology forum held in Sochi.
According to NSPK, the operator of the Mir payment system—the Russian alternative to Visa and Mastercard—approximately 20 Russian banks have shown interest in this new technology, which also supports non-cash payments within Russia.
“Our solution is that we provide contactless payment using this technology which operates with a short range capability using a payment terminal,” Dubinin explained. “Essentially, this is a method of identifying a payment that is no longer available to us, on iPhones, for example.”
Since 2022, users within Russia have been unable to use Apple Pay and Google Pay due to Ukraine-related sanctions placed on Russian banks by Western nations. Concurrently, Visa and MasterCard halted their operations in Russia, preventing the use of Russian-issued credit or debit cards for international transactions or online purchases.
Currently, NSPK has only unveiled a prototype for the service named ‘Volna.’ The technology can be seamlessly integrated into mobile banking applications, enabling users to make payments via their smartphones.
The service is designed to function both online and offline but will necessitate a new type of payment terminal that is compatible with this technology, NSPK highlighted.
“Unlike NFC, payment using Volna can be made at a slightly longer distance from the terminal and you don’t have to worry about the position of the smartphone,” the company added.
The initiative to create a national payment system commenced in 2014, following the imposition of U.S. sanctions on the country. Mir cards were introduced into circulation in December 2015.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
