Manila: Digital payments provider Visa, in collaboration with GCash, is set to launch a new feature on Tuesday that allows consumers to link their Visa cards to fund QR transactions directly through the GCash app.

According to Philippines News Agency, this innovative feature means that consumers can make payments even when their GCash wallet balance is insufficient, removing the necessity to manually cash in or top up before making a purchase. Visa's statement on Monday highlighted that the new capability is secured by Visa Payment Passkey, a biometric authentication solution. This enables consumers to verify transactions using their fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN, ensuring a faster and more secure payment experience.

Jeffrey Navarro, Visa Philippines Country Manager, stated, "Consumers increasingly expect flexibility in how they pay and are looking for payment experiences that are simple, secure, and seamless. This exciting collaboration expands that flexibility for consumers, allowing them to use their Visa credentials across everyday digital payment journeys including QR payments. This takes us forward in making digital payments more accessible and convenient for everyone."

Ren-Ren Reyes, President and Chief Executive Officer of G-Xchange Inc., expressed that the new feature will grant customers more freedom in managing their funds and making payments. "This partnership also reinforces our shared trust with Visa to expand financial inclusion and bring more Filipinos into the digital economy," Reyes added.

Visa, referencing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), noted that digital transactions now constitute 57.4 percent of the total monthly retail volume in the Philippines. The introduction of card-funded QR payments is anticipated to further accelerate this digital shift.