Synthesis Software Technologies is partnering with Trustonic to enable high-value contactless transactions for consumers in Africa. The alliance will specifically enhance the utility of Synthesis’ Halo Dot Tap on Phone solution, which allows businesses to accept card payments with a standard smartphone.
Halo Dot originally debuted in June of 2020. However, the platform could only be used to make smaller transactions at the time, and did not offer support for larger payment amounts that needed to be authorized with a PIN code.
Trustonic’s SDK will give customers the ability to enter a PIN during a transaction. That, in turn, will allow Synthesis to lift the payment cap so consumers can complete transactions above a certain threshold. The solution is compatible with any Android device with NFC capabilities, and is expected to be particularly beneficial for small businesses that will now be able to accept large card payments without needing to invest in a dedicated payment terminal.
Halo Dot made Synthesis the first company to offer a Tap on Phone feature in Africa, and the new utility will similarly make Synthesis to the first to support PIN transactions. The feature itself is delivered through a partnership with Nedbank, and allows businesses to function even without a fixed retail location.
Trustonic’s technology is compliant with a number of different payment standards. Meanwhile, the Synthesis offering is device agnostic, and lets businesses take advantage of Trustonic’s Trusted Execution Environment and its complementary Trusted User Interface.
“Halo Dot provides a novel way to accept card payments simply by tapping a payment card on a mobile phone,” said Synthesis Head of Payments Pierre Aurel. “This technology empowers both informal and formal businesses to accept contactless payments directly on their mobile phone, increasing accessibility and reducing costs.”
“By integrating our technology with Synthesis’, customers and small businesses will, for the first time, be able to safely and securely accept contactless transactions using PIN entry,” added Trustonic CRO Jon French: “We are excited to roll out this solution to other markets and broaden the use cases over the coming months.”
Both companies noted that contactless transactions increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trustonic has argued that developers need to adjust their strategy when entering different markets, and should take local preferences into account as they continue to expand.
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