Six mobile
wallets across Europe, together with Alipay, will collaborate to enable QR
code-based digital payment interoperability for travelers both in Europe and
from China.
Alipay is
working with European brands Bluecode, ePassi, momo Pocket, Pagaqui, Pivo and
Vipps on the effort.
The intent
is that users of these six European e-wallets - estimated to be five million
people - will be able to make QR code payments
with their apps at nearly 200,000 merchants in 10 European countries, while
Alipay’s Chinese customers will also be able to make payments to those
merchants when they visit Europe.
“It has
always been our vision to enable European banks with a widely accepted European
mobile payment offering,” says Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode.
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“As a
payment solution provider, we naturally support this collaboration of European
wallets agreeing on a technical format. Even more compelling that it is
compatible with Asia’s leading lifestyle app Alipay.”
The
partners have agreed to use a compatible QR code format provided by Alipay; ePassi and Bluecode will provide the technical services to enable the
integration process.
“We feel honored to help promote a smart lifestyle and digital experiences in
Europe, while continuing to connect more merchants with more Chinese tourists,”
says Eric Jing, chairman and CEO at Ant Financial.
Launched in 2004, Alipay currently serves more than one billion users with its
Asia-based local e-wallets partners. Alipay’s in-store payment service covers
more than 50 markets across the world, and tax reimbursement via the app is
supported in 35 markets.
“This
unique cooperation is a testament to how collaboration in Europe can simplify
the market for businesses and users to create better outcome for everyone,” says
Rune Garbog, CEO of Vipps.
“We are
extremely enthusiastic about new partners joining this collaboration, giving
all our combined users broader possibilities for using their preferred mobile
app also when traveling abroad."
Earlier this month, Alipay announced a partnership with Splyt to bring ride-hailing to Chinese tourists.