Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay set to change the way Filipinos pay
Cashless payments in the Philippines continue to grow at a rapid pace, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reporting that digital transactions already make up more than half of retail payments. Riding on this momentum, Visa Philippines is preparing banks for the next big step: the adoption of xPays—digital wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Through a recently held enablement workshop, Visa worked with partners across Southeast Asia, including Google Southeast Asia, Vietcombank, and Starbucks Vietnam, to share global best practices on how banks can successfully integrate and scale these payment solutions for the local market.
What xPay Means for Filipinos
Unlike traditional e-wallets, xPays don’t store funds. Instead, they link directly to your existing credit, debit, or e-money accounts. Once you add your Visa card to Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, you can tap and pay in stores, online, or through apps without pulling out your physical card.
The best part? Every tap is backed by Visa’s advanced security, giving Filipinos both convenience and peace of mind.
How Visa Makes Payments Safer
A major innovation behind these digital wallets is tokenization. Each time a Visa card is added to an xPay, the real card number is replaced with a unique digital token. This token, along with a dynamic cryptogram, is used to approve every transaction. The result? Your actual account number is never exposed to merchants or stored on your device—dramatically reducing the risk of fraud.
Visa has already issued over 10 billion tokens globally and enables 1.5 million merchants daily through its Visa Token Service (VTS). In 2023 alone, VTS drove a US$2 billion uplift for Asia Pacific merchants, while cutting payment fraud by more than 58%.
Global Learnings, Local Application
During the workshop, leaders from across the region discussed how xPays are shaping consumer behavior.
Nguyen Hong Thanh of Vietcombank shared how Vietnamese consumers embraced xPays since their rollout (Google Pay and Samsung Pay in 2022, Apple Pay in 2023).
Google’s TG Ramakrishnan highlighted strategic opportunities for banks to partner with tech providers.
Starbucks Vietnam’s Nguyen Bao Tram showcased how retailers benefit from seamless mobile payments.
Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro noted that digital wallets amplify Visa’s mission: “Each tap is protected by Visa’s network token technology, ensuring trust and security while advancing the Philippines’ digital payments landscape.” He emphasized that Visa is committed to supporting the BSP’s financial inclusion goals by enabling Filipinos to “pay and be paid with confidence.”
The Philippines’ growing digital economy makes xPays timely. According to Visa research, 97% of Asia Pacific travelers prefer to bring cards, while only 17% bring foreign currency. Yet, 44% of travelers in the Philippines still experience payment challenges such as merchant non-acceptance.
With xPays, these barriers can be reduced, improving the experience for both locals and international visitors. As digital retail payments in the country already account for 57.4% of transactions, the adoption of xPays will push the nation closer to the BSP’s 70% target by 2028.
The arrival of Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay in the Philippines is more than just a tech upgrade—it’s a step towards a more inclusive, seamless, and secure cashless society. For Filipinos who are always on the go, these solutions promise convenience at every tap. Keep an eye out for your bank’s announcements, because the next time you shop or travel, you may not even need to carry your wallet.