Tencent and Visa announced a significant strategic partnership to introduce palm recognition technology into digital payments.

The initial rollout will take place in Singapore, allowing Visa cardholders from banks including DBS, OCBC and UOB to participate in a pilot program in which they can use “Pay by Palm” technology in select locations.

The service was showcased at the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), where attendees were able to experience the technology at the Tencent and Visa booths.

The pilot program allows users to pay by scanning their palm at Alchemist Cafe in Singapore.

Yang Wenhui, General Manager of Tencent Financial Technology Asia Pacific, presented the initiative at SFF, highlighting Tencent’s commitment to data security and privacy, as well as the innovative nature of the palm recognition system.

Mr. Yang described the benefits of the system, emphasizing Tencent’s commitment to security and technology that improves user convenience.

Through its Singapore subsidiary, Tencent SenseTech Pte. Ltd, Tencent plans to offer technical support and comply with Singapore’s data localization requirements, ensuring privacy and compliance.

Adeline Kim, Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, reinforced the partnership’s vision by sharing that almost 70% of Singapore consumers view biometric payments as secure, based on Visa’s recent biometric study.

Kim highlighted the convenience and security that the palm recognition system would bring, reflecting Visa’s continued commitment to improving consumers’ payment experiences.

The “Pay by Palm” service allows Visa cardholders to register through a single setup process at participating merchants.

The registration process involves tapping their Visa card, scanning their palm, and performing one-time authentication. Following this setup, users can simply swipe their palm over the payment terminal for future transactions. This process links a Visa payment token to palm biometric data, meaning that physical cards or mobile phones are not required for subsequent payments at participating merchants.

Tencent’s palm recognition system was designed with advanced security and privacy measures. The technology can authenticate a user’s palm through a double-verification system, recognizing both palm prints and unique vein patterns under the skin.

This layered authentication increases accuracy and security, making it suitable for various lighting conditions. Additionally, user data is encrypted and stored in an irreversible format, preventing its decryption or misuse by third parties. According to Tencent, this encryption approach aims to protect personal data from theft or misuse.

The collaboration between Tencent and Visa is expected to provide consumers in Singapore with a seamless and secure payment method that leverages cutting-edge biometric technology.

Tencent seeks to expand the applications of this technology by partnering with other industries and exploring new use cases in various sectors. This strategic decision is part of Singapore’s drive for innovative fintech solutions, positioning Tencent and Visa as pioneers in biometric payment technology.