iPhone users have a new way to pay contactless – without Apple Pay. British fintech Curve is launching Curve Pay, a standalone payment option that's now available across the EU. The service leverages the newly opened NFC interface, which Apple was required to support under the European Digital Markets Act. This makes Curve the second provider outside of Apple, after PayPal, to offer iPhones with tap-to-pay functionality.
The EU has paved the way for more competition in mobile payments. Apple must grant third-party providers access to the iPhone's NFC interface. Curve Pay is responding quickly and launching a new payment app that is significantly different from well-known wallet apps.
What sets Curve Pay apart from others
Payment via NFC, without Apple Pay
With Curve Pay, you can make contactless payments by simply holding your iPhone to the terminal. You don't need Apple Wallet or Apple Pay. Payment is made directly through the Curve Pay app – secure, fast, and independent of Apple's proprietary system.
Not a classic wallet – more than just storing cards
Curve Pay doesn't work like other wallet apps. The app doesn't simply transfer stored card details to the payment terminal. Instead, Curve itself is the payment authority. After making a purchase, you decide which stored card should be used for the transaction. This allows you to, for example, pay with your iPhone first and later decide whether the amount should be debited from your personal credit card or your business card.
Combine multiple payment sources flexibly
Curve Pay allows you to add various payment sources to the app. You can integrate not only debit and credit cards, but also your PayPal account. This allows you to flexibly switch between your accounts depending on your situation or the benefits offered by individual providers.
Real-time spending analysis and cashback
Another advantage of the app: You get instant insight into your spending. The app analyzes your transactions in real time and shows you where your money is going. There are also automatic cashback programs – you get money back from certain retailers without having to do anything. Curve uses a so-called "staged wallet" architecture, which gives you more control over the payment process than with traditional wallet apps.
Curve now also available for iPhone
Until now, Curve Pay was only available for Android. More than six million people already use the service. Now Curve is expanding its offering to iPhone – with a focus on users in the EU and the entire European Economic Area (EEA). This includes all 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Competition stimulates business
Curve isn't alone. PayPal also recently launched its own NFC payment feature for iPhones in Germany. And in September, German cooperative banks plan to follow suit with their own solution. This new diversity creates more competition and better offers for you as a user.
Curve Pay opens new avenues for iPhone
Curve Pay is a breath of fresh air for mobile payments on the iPhone. Without Apple Pay and without the Wallet app, you can use your device to make contactless payments, switch between payment sources, analyze spending, and earn cashback. The app offers you a real alternative and finally makes your iPhone more independent. Now that Apple has been forced to open NFC access, the way is clear for new solutions like Curve Pay – and for more choice in mobile payments. (Image: Shutterstock / Oleksii Halutva)
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