Polar rolls out payment wristbands powered by Fidesmo

By Gloria Methri

Polar Electro Oy has partnered with the Swedish tech company Fidesmo to introduce a new collection of sports watch wristbands that enable convenient and safe contactless payments.

Simple to adapt and made of soft, durable silicone, these payment wristbands are compatible with all Polar watches that support standard 20mm and 22mm lug widths. With this solution, integrating contactless payments into a Polar watch is as simple as swapping wristbands.

The new Payment Wristbands are fitted with an NFC chip that links payment cards and Fidesmo Pay, a robust and safe contactless payment service. With the Fidesmo Pay app, users can connect their payment card to the wearable. As soon as the payment function is activated on the Fidesmo Pay app, users can pay for goods and services at any contactless terminal in-store.

The solution is highly secure since the wristband only stores a token representing the user’s payment card, eliminating the need to transmit the actual card number during transactions. Fidesmo’s solution enables advanced secure hardware transactions, like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

“This innovative approach makes contactless payment with Polar watches as simple and secure as can be and elevates the appeal of our products instantly,” said Tarja Määttä, Business Director of devices and Consumer Channels at Polar. “Since the chip is embedded within the wristband, this solution is compatible with most Polar watches. This includes not only the latest and most advanced models, such as the Polar Vantage V3 and the new Polar Grit X2 Pro but also beloved classics like the Ignite series and entry-level watches like Polar Unite.”

“Integrating Fidesmo’s cutting-edge, secure and flexible solution into Polar’s trusted line of sports watches represents the joint compatibility and vision of both brands,” said Anders Malmström, CEO of Fidesmo. “We are proud to bring Fidesmo Pay’s convenience and security to Polar’s active audience, making everyday transactions seamless and more integrated into our users’ lifestyles, not to mention the possibility of bringing more services to Polar. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, quality, and enhancing the user experience.”

Like other Polar wristbands, the new Payment Wristbands are designed specifically for sports. They are crafted from soft yet durable, sweat-resistant silicone to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Fidesmo Pay is available in over 40 European countries and works with any terminal that supports contactless payments worldwide.