Mobile wallet GCash and Singapore-based fintech firm Open Fabric rolled out Tap to Pay—a new contactless payment system that offers customers convenient, quick and secure transactions.
The partnership allowed for faster and more seamless integration with Mastercard. The platform enables GCash users to send payments to merchants that accept Mastercard across the Philippines securely and conveniently.
The system uses Open Fabric’s encrypted tokenization transaction technology, which ensures payments remain secure and operational even in areas with limited connectivity. This is a key consideration in the Philippines, where digital infrastructure can be uneven.
Tap to Pay lets GCash users complete transactions by tapping their NFC-enabled Android phone on any compatible point-of-sale (POS) terminal that accepts card payments. This expands the use of the GCash app, allowing users to pay with GCash at Mastercard-accepting merchants nationwide.
“At GCash, we continuously push the boundaries of digital payments to deliver a faster, more secure, and more inclusive cashless experience for Filipinos,” said Ferdie Perez, GCash vice president and head of product innovation.
“We believe that ensuring tech leadership is critical, and with the Open Fabric platform helping enable Tap to Pay, the next stage of digital transactions is achieved — and one that aligns with the pace of the country’s fast-evolving digital economy,” he said.
Soma Ramasamy, founder and chief executive of Open Fabric, said GCash’s Tap to Pay solution is a “game-changer,” demonstrating how account tokenization and contactless technology can bridge gaps in financial access.
“We’re honored to collaborate with GCash on this milestone. We look forward to scaling its impact – empowering more Filipinos with inclusive and next-generation payment experiences,” Ramasamy said.
The move reflects a global trend towards tap-and-go payments, already established in countries like Singapore, Japan and the United States. With Open Fabric’s infrastructure, the collaboration aims to ensure Filipinos gain access to the same level of efficiency and security common in more advanced digital economies.
The expansion of GCash into NFC technology signals a shift in the local fintech landscape, where QR codes have long dominated digital transactions. While the Philippines’ reliance on cash remains high, the increasing adoption of contactless payments — fueled by growing smartphone penetration and consumer preference for frictionless transactions — suggests a transition toward a more digital-first economy.
