Developed by fintech player Soft Space, JCB's introduction of this solution is aimed at driving innovative contactless
payments worldwide
TOKYO, Apr 28, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB Co. Ltd. ("JCB"), Japan's only international payment brand, is leveraging
Asia's leading fintech player, Soft Space Sdn. Bhd.'s ("Soft Space") technological expertise to develop the Tap on
Mobile programme that capitalises on the wide availability of Android smartphones equipped with NFC (near-field
communication).
JCB Contactless card or mobile device can be used at any merchants that support JCB Contactless. Aimed at driving
greater contactless acceptance among JCB acquirers worldwide, JCB has developed the Tap on Mobile programme which will
be used to govern all aspects of contactless payment transactions securely made on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, off
the shelf. This programme is secure and interoperable based on EMV and PCI standards.
The initiative to develop Tap on Mobile programme is a significant milestone for JCB because it believes that the Tap on
Mobile solution is the future of payments, and is poised to help JCB significantly grow its acceptance business globally
going forward.
"We are pleased to be working with Soft Space on this Tap on Mobile programme," said Tac Watanabe, the Executive Vice
President for JCB's Brand Infrastructure and Technologies Department. "The Tap on Mobile is secure yet convenient for
our customers, and given the growth of contactless payment transaction and consumer smartphones worldwide, we believe
that the Tap on Mobile will be the key initiative for JCB to drive our contactless agenda to grow globally."
"We are privileged to be working on JCB's Tap on Mobile programme," said Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer of Soft
Space. "With businesses being constantly challenged by changing global economic scenarios, Tap on Mobile is a tool that
can aid them through such times by offering them an innovative, cost-effective and secure payment solution."
The Tap on Mobile programme builds on the expertise gained through Soft Space's development of "Fasstap", world's first
NFC-enabled payment solution with PIN verification, certified by card brands in 2018[1] and subsequently 2019[2].
Tap on Mobile solution has been developed by incorporating JCB's contactless kernel - the engine that powers contactless
payment transactions. Engaging Soft Space's technological expertise, the solution has met JCB's necessary standards and
approvals. This ensures that payment data transmitted is secured from potential leakage, thus reducing the risk of
fraudulent activities.
With Tap on Mobile programme in place, JCB can offer its acquirers a new, innovative cashless payment option who will in
turn, adopt and deploy as a cost-effective payment solution to their merchants.
[1] Businesses can Accept MyDebit Card Payments Using Only Mobile Phones
[2] Maybank Tap2Phone offers greater mobility for merchant mobile payments
About Soft Space
Founded in 2012, Soft Space is a leading Fintech player in the APAC region headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Soft
Space simplifies the complexity of financial infrastructure and creates value-added features for businesses to expand
their business growth. With over 20 financial institutions in 11 countries adopting its payment solutions, Soft Space is
supported by MDEC's Global Acceleration and Innovation Network (GAIN) programme and received financial support through
MIDA's Domestic Investment Strategic Fund in 2012. In 2018, Soft Space ranked 66th out of 1000 companies in the
Financial Times 'FT 1000: High Growth Companies in Asia Pacific' Special Report. For more information, please visit