PayPass

PayPass is Mastercard’s brand for its contactless payment technology, based on near-field communication (NFC). It enables cardholders to make purchases by tapping a card or an NFC-enabled device at a PayPass-enabled point-of-sale terminal. Transactions are designed to be fast, with most taps completed in a few seconds and without the need to insert a card into a reader for small-value purchases.

How it works: PayPass credentials are stored securely on the card or device, often in a secure element or trusted execution environment. When tapped, the reader and network generate and transmit cryptographic data to authorize the payment, typically a one-time code or token that protects the actual card number. Depending on the region and issuer, small transactions may not require a PIN, while higher-value purchases may require authentication according to issuer policies and local rules. The system generally aligns with EMV contactless standards and uses tokenization to reduce exposure of sensitive data.

Branding and scope: The PayPass brand has long been used for Mastercard’s early contactless services. Mastercard has since promoted Mastercard Contactless as the umbrella branding, but PayPass remains in use in some markets and on certain products. The technology is designed to be interoperable with other contactless payment readers that support EMV contactless transactions.

Availability: PayPass is issued on debit, credit, and prepaid cards by participating banks and is also supported on compatible mobile wallets and devices that carry the PayPass credential. It is intended to work at a broad range of merchants with NFC-enabled readers.