In recent years, mobile payment methods have seen rapid evolution across the globe-especially in China, where mobile wallets have become the norm. While QR code payments have long dominated the market, a new trend is emerging: "Tap for Pay", powered by NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, is gaining momentum. Leading this shift is Alipay, one of the world's most popular mobile payment platforms.

From QR Codes to Contactless: A New Era Begins

QR code payments revolutionized the payment experience by enabling users to scan and pay within seconds. They were easy to implement, required no expensive hardware, and were especially well-suited to small vendors and local markets. But while QR codes were a leap forward in convenience, they had limitations—such as the need to unlock the phone, open the app, and scan the code in variable lighting or camera conditions.

Enter Tap for Pay.

Using NFC, Tap for Pay allows users to simply tap their smartphones or NFC-enabled cards against a payment terminal—no scanning, no app navigation, no friction. It brings the payment experience in line with what consumers have come to expect: fast, seamless, and secure.

Why NFC Matters

NFC technology enables close-range communication between devices, offering faster and more secure transactions than QR-based payments. It is already widely used in access control, transportation, and loyalty programs—making it a natural fit for mobile payments.

Alipay's adoption of NFC not only improves user experience but also aligns China with global contactless payment trends already well-established in regions like Europe, Japan, and North America.

Market Shift and Adoption

While QR payments still account for the majority of mobile transactions in China, NFC-based Tap for Pay is growing steadily, particularly in urban areas and among younger, tech-savvy consumers. According to recent reports, contactless transactions now account for over 80% of Alipay's in-store payments, a figure expected to rise sharply over the next two years.

As more merchants upgrade their point-of-sale systems to support NFC, and as consumers grow accustomed to tapping for transit, office entry, and hotel check-ins, Tap for Pay is poised to become a mainstream payment option.

What This Means for the RFID & NFC Industry

For RFID and NFC technology providers, this trend presents a huge opportunity. The demand for NFC-enabled cards, tags, and devices is on the rise—not just for payments, but for multi-application use cases including verify,review,connect,order&pay,start the car,unlock the door,smart directions,control the device,etc

At RZX, we are proud to support this digital transformation with high-quality, custom RFID and NFC products designed to meet the evolving needs of modern payment systems.

Final Thoughts

Alipay’s “Tap for Pay” marks an important milestone in the global shift toward contactless payments. As NFC adoption grows, businesses across sectors—from retail to hospitality—need to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're looking to upgrade your access control systems or introduce NFC-based payment solutions, now is the time to embrace the future.

Explore our full range of NFC cards and RFID solutions to power your next innovation.