Alipay+, a payment gateway under Ant International, has announced plans to collaborate with Mastercard in assisting Kakao Pay to launch NFC payments for international transactions.

Incorporating Secure Tap-to-Pay Experiences

Kakao Pay is set to become one of the first Alipay+ partners to offer users secure Tap-to-Pay experiences abroad. This partnership will enable Kakao Pay users to make NFC payments at over 150 million Mastercard merchant locations globally, including regions such as Japan, Southeast Asia, the United States, Europe, and Oceania.

Alipay+’s NFC payment solution complements Kakao Pay’s existing QR code-based cross-border payment methods, enhancing users’ travel and shopping experiences when traveling internationally.

Convenience and Security Through NFC Payments

NFC payments allow users to tap their NFC-enabled Android phones on contactless Point of Sale (POS) terminals that accept Mastercard. This solution not only reduces the need for carrying physical payment methods but also enhances transaction security through improved authentication and encryption.

The new service is currently available in the latest versions of the Kakao Pay app and will be rolled out to the KakaoTalk app on Android devices later this September 2025, with iOS launches planned sequentially. According to Kakao Pay officials, the company aims to offer its international users a convenient and rewarding payment experience akin to that provided to South Korean customers.

Expanding Digital Payment Acceptance

By partnering with Mastercard, Ant International intends to expand digital payment acceptance among merchants worldwide. Together, they plan to build a more inclusive and interoperable global payment ecosystem.