Contactless 'tap-and-pay' card transactions are becoming dominant in India, potentially reaching one-third of all card swipes. This trend is fueled by younger consumers, faster transaction times, and expanding payment infrastructure.
Cash App by Block is offering a $25 physical "magic wand" that functions as an NFC-enabled payment device, linking to a user's Cash App card. The product aims to make digital payments more visible, fun, and expressive, drawing inspiration from a growing trend of whimsical payment tools.
Italian digital payments grew 13.5% in 2025, reaching 12.3 billion operations. Debit cards lead, accounting for 60.4% of card payment value. Contactless and instant transfers also saw significant increases.
Solayer Pay has launched a Visa-compatible payment card allowing users to spend USDC balances in-store, online, and via contactless transactions. The card, initially rolled out as the Emerald Card in April 2025, supports ATM withdrawals and expands Solayer's platform for digital asset management.
