HitPay has introduced Tap to Pay on iPhones in Malaysia, allowing merchants to accept contactless payments without needing extra hardware.

This launch follows the company’s deployment of similar capabilities in Singapore in December 2025, signaling a continued expansion of this feature across Southeast Asia. Merchants can begin using it quickly by downloading the HitPay iOS app on their iPhone 11 or later models, and running the latest version of iOS. No additional point-of-sale hardware is needed.

Overcoming Challenges for MSMEs

Malaysia’s economy is dominated by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up over 90% of businesses in the country. Traditional POS systems often come with significant upfront costs and ongoing monthly rental fees, acting as a hurdle for many smaller operators. By enabling payment acceptance through an iPhone, HitPay’s solution eliminates these expenses.

This solution utilizes NFC technology. During checkout, the merchant can prompt customers to place their contactless payment cards near their iPhone. The transaction is then completed. Apple’s framework ensures that card numbers and transaction data are not stored on the device or on its servers, with the exception of encrypted card information temporarily held for transactions processed in Store and Forward mode.

This capability also benefits ecommerce merchants looking to establish or expand a physical presence. Retailers can use mobile checkout options for pop-ups, market stalls, showrooms, or event-based activations without investing in dedicated hardware. In-store retailers can equip their staff with mobile checkout capabilities, potentially reducing queue times at fixed terminals.

Strategic Context and Regional Outlook

The Malaysia launch builds on the company’s Singapore deployment, extending NFC-based acceptance to a neighboring market with a similarly MSME-heavy commercial structure.

Aditya Haripurkar, CEO of HitPay, stated that Tap to Pay’s integration allows merchants to operate seamlessly across digital and physical channels, supporting online brands moving into brick-and-mortar retail spaces by providing them with the capability to accept mobile payments easily.

The incorporation of Tap to Pay on iPhones in HitPay’s platform aligns with a broader industry trend where software-based payment acceptance, often referred to as SoftPOS, is increasingly replacing hardware-dependent terminal models, particularly for smaller merchants and those requiring flexible or mobile checkout arrangements.