Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, will soon launch a new and more secure payment experience allowing consumers to use Visa cards as a funding source for QR transactions in the GCash app.
The new capability gives consumers greater security and flexibility in how they pay, enabling them to link eligible Visa cards to GCash and use them for everyday purchases anywhere GCash is accepted. Previously, when consumers lacked the wallet balance to fund transactions, they would need to top-up from linked bank accounts in their GCash app or through fund transfers from other banks. The solution will make wallet funding more seamless, enabling consumers to make QR payments at checkout through their linked Visa cards.
Whether enjoying meals at restaurants, buying from weekend markets, or shopping for souvenirs across the country’s many tourist destinations, consumers can now choose the funding method that best suits their needs – all within a familiar digital wallet experience.
Consumers will also be able to transact with confidence and ease as each transaction using a Visa card is protected by Visa Payment Passkey, a next-generation biometric authentication solution that allows consumers to verify online purchases using their device’s fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN instead of passwords or SMS one-time passcodes (OTP).
Built on Fast Identity Online (FIDO) standards, Visa Payment Passkey helps deliver a faster, more seamless checkout experience while enhancing protection against phishing and other forms of online fraud. Biometric authentication can reduce up to 50% of fraud rates compared to SMS-based OTPs.
“Consumers increasingly expect flexibility in how they pay, and are looking for payment experiences that are simple, secure, and seamless. This exciting collaboration expands that flexibility for consumers, allowing consumers to use their Visa credentials across everyday digital payment journeys including QR payments. This takes us forward in making digital payments more accessible and convenient for everyone,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.
“This new feature further enhances the GCash experience for millions of Filipinos, giving them greater freedom in how they pay and manage their funds while maintaining the experience they’ve come to expect from GCash. This partnership also reinforces our shared trust with Visa to expand financial inclusion and bring more Filipinos into the digital economy,” added Ren-Ren Reyes, President & CEO of G-Xchange, Inc. (the mobile wallet operator of GCash)
GCash users may soon have a more seamless payment experience through the new Link-and-Pay feature, minimizing the need to Cash-in and Top-up from deposit accounts and enabling linked Visa cards as funding source for QR payments. Now, each transaction is protected by Visa Payment Passkey, an authentication that enhances security while keep payment experience smooth and frictionless.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital transactions now account for 57.4% of total monthly retail volume in the Philippines. Enabling card-funded QR payments accelerates this digital shift and reinforces Visa’s broader strategy of enabling consumers to pay wherever and however they choose. By supporting innovative payment experiences across cards, wallets, and QR payments, Visa and GCash continue to help drive the growth of digital commerce and advance financial inclusion across the Philippines.
