EVONET Launches Cross-Border Wallet Connectivity in Partnership with au PAY
EVONET has launched a cross-border mobile wallet interoperability service in partnership with KDDI Corporation and Tenpay Payment Technology.
In the first phase of this initiative, more than 1.4 billion WeChat users from China can make payments by WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) at au PAY-affiliated stores across Japan by simply scanning the QR codes installed at the stores (MPM method: Merchant-Presented Mode). This enables inbound travelers from China to enjoy a seamless payment experience across Japan using their familiar WeChat app, without worrying about language or currency barriers.
Japan welcomes tens of millions of inbound tourists annually, but differences in payment systems have been a significant inconvenience. With this collaboration, merchants do not need to install new systems or make complex configuration changes, enabling them to easily accept WeChat Pay users and capture inbound demand.
"This marks the first time that KDDI is opening its au PAY merchant network to non-Japanese users. EVONET provides the technological platform that underpins this global collaboration, serving as a hub to address the complexities of international payment infrastructure." said James Zhao, chief executive officer of Evonet Global.
Going forward, EVONET plans to expand its network by partnering with more mobile wallet providers across Asia. In addition to the MPM method, the company also plans to support the CPM method (Consumer-Presented Mode), where merchants scan the user's QR code, enabling more flexible payment options suited to various business types.
EVONET aims to build an open network that allows multiple wallet operators to connect seamlessly across countries and regions, enabling users to pay easily using their regular mobile apps wherever they are. In the future, the company also envisions enabling Japanese users to make outbound payments at overseas merchants using their domestic mobile wallets, thereby enhancing global payment convenience.
