Tencent, Visa partner on palm-based authentication in Singapore

Chinese tech giant aims to expand payment system around the world

Tencent says this is the first time that palm authentication has received a full-fledged rollout outside of China. (Photo by Tencent)

ITSURO FUJINO, Nikkei staff writer

November 9, 2024 01:54 JST

GUANGZHOU -- China's Tencent Holdings announced that it is partnering with Visa to launch a palm biometric authentication payment service in Singapore, with hopes to expand the technology globally in the future.

The service will be available to holders of Visa credit cards issued by major Singaporean banks DBS, United Overseas Bank and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. After registering in advance, users will be able to make payments at retail stores and restaurants by simply holding their palm over a dedicated reader.