kevin., a European fintech firm, has made history by successfully conducting the first-ever account-to-account NFC transaction on an iPhone, marking a significant breakthrough in the in-store payment landscape. This technological leap follows the European Commission’s pressure on Apple to democratize NFC access, challenging Apple's strict control over NFC technology in iOS devices, which had stifled third-party competition. The implications for the New York City metro area, a hub for financial technology and retail, are substantial: consumers could soon bypass traditional card networks, reducing fees for businesses and offering more payment choices.
Pavel Sokolovas, co-founder of kevin., expressed the magnitude of this achievement, stating, 'Breaking through the final barriers of NFC payments on iOS devices represents a true watershed moment. We’re immensely proud to be the first to provide account-to-account transactions using Apple’s NFC, giving consumers the power to choose how they pay.' This development allows iPhone users to tap their devices at point-of-sale terminals to pay directly from their bank accounts, bypassing credit card networks and their associated fees.
In January 2022, kevin. enabled this innovative payment method for Android users, and now, with regulatory changes in stride, kevin. swiftly attained authorization under Apple's NFC Entitlement Program and embarked on development in their controlled environment. Just six weeks following Apple's program launch, kevin. celebrated the successful execution of the experimental transaction in development mode, setting the stage for what could revolutionize Point of Sale (POS) interactions. For New York retailers, this could mean lower transaction costs and faster settlement times.
Sokolovas outlined the technical journey, explaining, 'Our team worked tirelessly to integrate our kevin. technical solution within Apple host card emulation (HCE), including security standards, transaction validation, and so much more to create a seamless experience allowing users transactions from within their banking or wallet apps.' The European Commission continues to monitor feedback from early developers like kevin., underscoring the Commission's dedication to nurturing innovation and equitable competition in the mobile payment sphere.
Looking ahead, the industry anticipates a surge in similar payment solutions following this initial success. kevin. has indeed set a dominant precedent, promising an open market where consumers are no longer limited by device-specific payment platforms — a fundamental reshaping of how transactions are conducted worldwide. For the New York City metro area, where contactless payments are already widespread, this innovation could accelerate adoption of account-to-account payments, reducing reliance on card networks and potentially lowering costs for both businesses and consumers.
kevin. is a visionary technology firm reshaping payment systems for tomorrow’s needs. From their global headquarters in Europe to the recent expansion into the bustling financial hub of Dubai, kevin.’s mission has been consistent: to offer reliable end-to-end technology and significant savings on transaction fees without changing the way people pay. The introduction of their multi-tenant, brand-agnostic payment acceptance network marks a significant shift for consumers and businesses alike, granting autonomy and value unimpeded by the constraints of legacy technology.
kevin. is backed by Accel, Eurazeo, and other investors, including OTB Ventures, Speedinvest, Open Ocean, and Global Paytech Venture. This achievement by kevin. sets a precedent for the future of in-store payments, offering consumers and businesses a more open and flexible payment ecosystem, ultimately reshaping the way transactions are conducted on a global scale.
