Visa and GCash will soon introduce a new link-and-pay feature that enables users to fund QR code payments using eligible linked Visa cards, eliminating the need to top up their GCash wallets before completing transactions.
The upcoming feature aims to provide a faster, more flexible payment experience by allowing consumers to choose between their GCash wallet balance and a linked Visa card when making purchases at merchants that accept GCash QR payments.
QR payments without topping up
Previously, users with insufficient wallet balances needed to cash in or transfer funds from linked bank accounts before making QR transactions.
The new capability streamlines the process by allowing eligible Visa cards to serve as the payment source during checkout, reducing the need for manual wallet funding.
The feature can be used for everyday purchases, including dining, shopping, and payments at merchants across the Philippines that accept GCash.
Biometric authentication enhances security
Each Visa-funded QR transaction will be secured by Visa Payment Passkey, the company’s biometric authentication technology.
Built on Fast Identity Online (FIDO) standards, the system allows users to verify purchases using their device’s fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN instead of passwords or SMS one-time passwords (OTPs).
According to Visa, biometric authentication can reduce fraud rates by up to 50% compared to SMS-based OTP verification while providing a faster checkout experience.
“Consumers increasingly expect flexibility in how they pay and are looking for payment experiences that are simple, secure, and seamless,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.
“This collaboration expands that flexibility, allowing consumers to use their Visa credentials across everyday digital payment journeys, including QR payments.”
Expanding digital payment options
Ren-Ren Reyes, President and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, said the feature gives users more flexibility in managing their payments while supporting broader financial inclusion.
“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,” Reyes said.
Supporting the Philippines’ digital payment growth
The launch comes as digital payments continue to expand in the country.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital transactions accounted for 57.4% of total monthly retail payment volume in the Philippines.
Visa said enabling card-funded QR payments supports its strategy of allowing consumers to pay using their preferred payment methods across cards, digital wallets, and QR platforms while helping accelerate digital commerce and financial inclusion.
