GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, has launched “Tap to Pay,” a next-generation contactless payment feature, through a partnership with Singapore-based fintech firm Open Fabric. The rollout marks a significant step in GCash’s expansion into near-field communication (NFC) technology, enabling users to make secure, tap-and-go transactions using their Android smartphones at any Mastercard-enabled point-of-sale terminal nationwide.
Powered by Open Fabric’s encrypted tokenization platform, the Tap to Pay system ensures transaction security even in areas with poor internet connectivity—a major consideration in the Philippines’ uneven digital infrastructure. The technology also fast-tracks GCash’s integration with Mastercard, broadening merchant acceptance and facilitating more seamless digital payments.
“This collaboration allows us to push the boundaries of digital payments and align with the pace of the country’s fast-evolving digital economy,” said Ferdie Perez, GCash vice president and head of product innovation. “Tap to Pay enhances convenience while reinforcing our commitment to financial inclusion.”
Soma Ramasamy, founder and CEO of Open Fabric, called the partnership a “game-changer,” emphasizing its potential to bring next-gen financial access to underbanked segments. “We’re proud to help GCash scale this solution and empower more Filipinos with inclusive, secure payments.”
The move underscores a broader global shift towards contactless payments—standard in markets like Singapore, Japan, and the U.S.—and signals a maturing of the Philippine fintech ecosystem. While QR code payments still dominate locally, the integration of NFC-based systems positions GCash as a leader in the country’s gradual but growing pivot to a digital-first economy.
