Visa embraces global mobile commerce

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Visa has signed agreements with three leading mobile point-of-sale providers to enable merchants of all sizes to accept Visa payments using mobile technology. Early adopters include iZettle, SumUp and SCCP Group’s Swiff — all of whom will have their mobile acceptance hardware and software tested and approved for use with Visa payments.



Visa has also approved two new mPOS devices by AnywhereCommerce and Miura Systems to accept Visa payments. The companies aim to displace cash and checks with electronic payments by making it easier for merchants and acquirers in key geographies to deploy secure mobile acceptance terminals.



“The Visa Ready Program is designed to provide innovators with an easy way to collaborate with Visa and gives merchants and consumers the peace-of-mind they need when transacting with a mobile phone,” said Jim McCarthy, global head of innovation & strategic partnerships, Visa. “Mobile acceptance technology is precisely the kind of innovation we need to bring the benefits of electronic payments to more merchants, financial institutions and consumers around the globe.”



The growing popularity of mPOS acceptance solutions, especially among micro and small merchants, is helping to drive the migration from cash to electronic payments.



As part of the agreements, iZettle, SumUp and Swiff can have access to guidance, best practices, Application Program Interfaces and Software Design Kits from Visa.



“Mobile POS opens up the market to all merchant tiers, from the largest big box retailers to the smallest micro-merchants, which never would have dreamed of accepting card payments in the past,” said Mary Monahan, EVP and research director, mobile, Javelin Strategy & Research. “Our research shows the attraction of mobile POS also extends to the other side of the counter: the majority of consumers view mobile checkout as very or extremely convenient.”