Tencent Launches Palm Payment Trials in Thailand
Hey Payments Fanatics!
Tencent is launching its palm biometric payment system in Thailand, teaming up with local partners to test it in places like 7-Eleven, The Mall Group, and SCB. It’s a clear move to keep pace with Alipay in the Southeast Asian market.
How does it work? Well, I've shared a video a while back that shows the process, but here’s a quick rundown: It scans the unique vein patterns and lines in your palm and links them to your payment method. After you register once, you just hold your hand over a sensor to pay, and that's it!
So, by using palm scans to pay, Tencent is betting on a mix of speed, convenience, and security. Thailand, with its push for digital services and “Cloud First” strategy, offers the right conditions to try something new. The country’s strong tourism sector and growing Fintech adoption make it an interesting starting point.
Tencent is working with MFEC and True IDC to build local support and infrastructure. While the system is still in trial mode, the strategy is: if it works in Thailand, it could scale across neighboring markets like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Alipay isn’t standing still. Its palm payment system, PL1, is already active in parts of the region. But Tencent’s existing presence through WeChat Pay and its early moves in Thailand might give it an edge.
The question now is whether users (and merchants) will be ready to leave cards and smartphones behind, and trust a scan of their hand instead.
Read more global Payments industry updates below 👇 and I'll be back with more on Monday!
Cheers,
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