NIC Asia becomes first in Nepal to accept Apple Pay, Google Pay

NIC Asia Bank has launched Nepal's first service enabling businesses to accept payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

The facility is for business customers using the bank's e-commerce payment gateway.

Businesses affiliated or seeking to affiliate with the bank's CyberSource payment gateway will be able to receive payments from Apple Pay and Google Pay users worldwide through their e-commerce platforms. For this, payers must have a Visa or Mastercard linked to their Apple Pay or Google Pay account.

Apple Pay and Google Pay are globally recognized mobile-based payment methods in which card details are tokenized on Apple or Android phones. This makes it easier for foreign customers to pay without the hassle of using a physical card.

According to the bank, businesses in hotels, tours and travel, handicrafts, airlines, e-commerce and information technology sectors can particularly benefit from this service.

The bank believes the service will help expand cross-border transactions in tourism, hospitality and export businesses.

The bank said the service was introduced with the aim of making digital payments modern, simple and secure.