Digital wallets and retailers are evolving beyond closed-loop ecosystems by combining alternative payment methods with EMV-grade technology, enabling proximity payments with global reach. As Apple opens NFC access on iOS (HCE in Europe and SE in the U.S. and other markets) and contactless adoption accelerates, wallets and PLCs can now deliver seamless Tap to Pay experiences. Sovereignty and interoperability take center stage, as legacy and modern infrastructures converge, creating an invisible disruption that benefits consumers and merchants.
