Spectra Technologies and MYPINPAD launch SoftPOS payment solution in Hong Kong

By Leandra Monteiro

MYPINPAD, a PCI certified payments software solution company together with a Hong Kong- based payment terminal manufacturer and payment solution provider, SPECTRA Technologies, today announced the launch of a software-based contactless payments solution for smart devices. This new solution is anticipated to transform the customer experience for small and micro merchants in Hong Kong.

Known as SoePay, a universal SoftPOS solution for accepting contactless Visa and Mastercard card payments on any Android smartphone. SoePay is a mobile payment solution that eliminates POS rental and provides an affordable and secure way for small and micro merchants to accept card payments.

The news of the first transaction comes following the October 2020 announcement of the Hong Kong government’s subsidy scheme to promote contactless payment in public markets under the third round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, which the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department opened for applications. The scheme was created to encourage the use of contactless payments to improve public hygiene and reduce virus transmission risk in street markets.

Head of Asia Pacific at MYPINPAD, Morten Hofstad commented, “MYPINPAD’s contactless payment software is the first to be globally certified by PCI to accept contactless payments on smart devices without requiring additional hardware. With Hong Kong so prominent in Asia for contactless payments, we are privileged to work with such a tech savvy company, like SPECTRA Technologies, to deploy their solution and increase the reach of contactless payments in the country. This is just the start of MYPINPAD’s payments software presence in APAC as we continue to deploy solutions elsewhere in the region over the coming months. We very much look forward to growing our partnership with SPECTRA Technologies in developing secure payments and enhancing the customer experience.”

Damien Chow, Director of Digital Payment, Spectra Technologies said, “SoftPOS is a key strategic initiative of SPECTRA Technologies to make payment acceptance safe, affordable, frictionless and hassle-free for our customers. We’re proud to be the first in Hong Kong to launch a SoftPOS solution that supports Visa and Mastercard contactless payment.  We look forward to further evolution of SoePay and accelerating contactless adoption in Hong Kong and Asia with MYPINPAD.”

Helena Chen, Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard shared, “Mastercard is thrilled to join forces with MYPINPAD and SPECTRA to further expand the Mastercard Tap on Phone acceptance network with the launch of the new SoePay solution, which provides safe, fast and secure contactless payments that meets consumers’ everyday needs. The Mastercard Sonic feature is also applied to SoePay, which accompanies payments with a sound that indicates cardholders’ successfully made payment. The new partnership is in line with Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to promote contactless payment across the city and to support local SMEs’ future development through digitalization.”

Maaike Steinebach, General Manager, Visa Hong Kong and Macau added, “Visa is excited to partner with MYPINPAD and SPECTRA to enable off-the-shelf ‘tap-to-phone’ mobile devices to accept contactless payments without additional hardware in Hong Kong. More than seven in ten of all face-to-face Visa transactions are contactless. This new low-cost and simple solution will help micro, small and medium-sized businesses stay competitive on their digital transformation journeys.”