Sinagpore
> The process meant that all wallets had to be compliant to SG QR and work with NETS to integrate.
NETS seems a bit like the UKs defunt Switch. Whats wrong with VISA and Mastercard?
Hmmm, Singapore QR still doesn't seem to be consistent. As a frequent visitor to Singapore I need to pay at Hawker Centres using QR codes.
Wise to huge fanfare trumpted support for paying with QR codes in Singapore, but then very quietly withdrew it.
Nearly all Digital Wallets in Singapore require you to be a Singaporean or have a FIN. Grab Wallet seems to be the exception, and allows you to spend a few thousand a dollars year without verifying. The drawback - Grab Wallet pay by QR code only works on some QR codes. Even now. Seems to fail on personal QR codes used by Hawkers mostly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce-dlP4hm8D/
WTF? So always carry cash in Singapore.
The other drawback to QR codes is that an Internet connection is required, and its easy to make a mistake typing a number. And thats before you talk about fraud with bad actors sticking a different code over the genuine one (see UK car parks).
Most Hawkers and small shops use personal QR codes, so then you look at your statement at the end of the month you will see transactions to, Ms M Lee, Mr L Ho, etc and no idea where you spend the money. Unless you spend time typing in an optional note (much to the annoyance of everyone else behind you in the fishball noodle soup queue).
Outside of Hawker centres in Singapore most places accept contactless (locally called PayWave) VISA/Mastercard. However there are some notable pecularities, where MRT topup machines will not accept foreign credit cards. And PayWaving a foreign card on a Bus or MRT will hit you with a $0.60 a day surcharge. So get an EZLink card, and the SimplyGo app which does allow you to use foreign cards to topup. But then you don't see how much the trip costs on the turnstiles. Shame you cannot use EZLink cards at Hawkers.
None of it seems very joined up to me.