Apple Pay has gone live in Taiwan, making the island nation the 14th country to adopt the mobile payment system. Users can now add MasterCard and Visa cards issued by Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank, E.SUN Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Taishin International Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank and Union Bank of Taiwan.
The China Post reports that The Breeze Center, Far Eastern Department Stores, Sogo, Carrefour and PXMart are among the businesses allowing Apple Pay to be used at all locations. FamilyMarts throughout the country are also jumping on the bandwagon, but currently only allow purchases from users with Taishin International Bank cards, planning to open up sales to those with cards from CTBC Bank, Cathay United Bank and E.SUN Bank in July.
Apple Pay faces stiff competition from several existing mobile payment options in the country, as well as Samsung Pay and Google Pay, “which have both been approved by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Committee, will reportedly be launching in the country in May.” To drive up interest, several stores are offering promotional events, like Breeze Center’s off of a NT$100 coupon for those spending at least NT$399 on any Thursday of the month.
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