The first Bluetooth payment technology for iOS devices has been launched in Russia. The pilot project, called "Volna," developed by the National Payment Card System (NSPK), is being tested by VTB, MKB, Sinara, PSB, and Dom.RF. Currently, the system only supports transfers via the Faster Payments System (FPS), but integration with card payments is planned for the future.
The development went from prototype to real implementation in just six months — a record time for such solutions, considering the complexity of certification and integration with banking IT systems. However, banks are in no hurry to draw conclusions about the mass success of the technology. According to Vedomosti, most market participants are waiting for specific metrics: turnover, resistance to failures, and the level of fraud. For example, Zenit, Pochta Bank, and Sovcombank have not yet joined the project, studying its economic feasibility.
One of the key obstacles to the rapid spread of technology remains the need to update terminals — not all existing models support Bluetooth. This may slow down implementation, especially among small businesses, where QR payments remain a more affordable option.
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