In this new environment, contactless payments are becoming the norm, not only because of their convenience, but also because they represent a leap towards more agile, secure, and user-centered experiences.
A change in the way we pay
Contactless payment, whether by NFC chip card, smartphone, smartwatch, or QR code, is no longer a futuristic option but has become part of everyday user experience in Latin America. According to MasterCard, in 2024, more than 50% of in-person transactions in the region were made contactless, and in countries such as Brazil and Chile, adoption exceeds 70%.
This change responds to a clear demand: speed, security, and zero friction. Today’s users are not willing to wait. They seek intuitive experiences that adapt to their digital lifestyle and eliminate unnecessary steps in every interaction with their bank or wallet.
A demand that exposes operational gaps
Although adoption is growing, many players in the financial system are still not prepared to support contactless payments on a large scale. Why?
- Their switch or core banking infrastructures are not optimized for high-frequency, low-value transactions.
- Integrations with wallets or smart devices are limited or dependent on third parties.
- There are gaps in the reconciliation and traceability of contactless transactions, especially when multiple players are involved.
- Security and authentication are often not aligned with these new technologies.
These flaws create friction for both users and businesses, and hinder the possibility of scaling models that are already standard in other regions.
The challenge: making contactless a seamless experience
The true value of contactless is not only in the gesture of tapping a card or phone, but in the entire system that allows the transaction to occur instantly, securely, and with complete operational visibility.
This requires an infrastructure that:
In other words, it is not just a matter of enabling contactless payments, but of designing the financial experience that users already expect.
The solution: payment orchestration with an omnichannel vision
For contactless payments to work as they should, robust orchestration is required to seamlessly integrate all players in the ecosystem. From the POS to the digital wallet, through the payment switch, card processor, and risk engines.
This allows you to:
- Process payments instantly, with a response in seconds.
- Connect devices, brands, and channels in a multi-vendor environment.
- Ensure that each transaction leaves a traceable and reconcilable footprint.
- Adapt the payment flow to the needs of each channel (commerce, app, transportation, retail, etc.).
At CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies, we design solutions that not only enable contactless payments, but also turn them into a superior user experience that is fully controllable by the financial institution. Our approach includes:
- Multi-channel payment orchestrator, capable of managing real-time transactions from cards, mobile devices, QR, or NFC.
- Open architecture, allowing integration with any digital wallet, POS provider, or banking system.
- An intelligent reconciliation module that ensures visibility and control throughout the transaction cycle.
- Multi-vendor support, so that each entity can operate seamlessly.
- A focus on security and regulatory compliance, incorporating authentication, encryption, and monitoring mechanisms throughout the flow.
Our technology makes contactless payments not only fast, but also secure, integrated, and scalable.
Contactless is no longer a trend, it is the standard. At CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies, we understand it as part of a broader ecosystem where every point of contact matters and every transaction counts. That’s why we help our clients build more human, digital, and frictionless financial experiences, ready for users who no longer accept waiting or barriers. If you would like to learn more about our solutions for building a financial ecosystem with contactless payments, please provide your details below and a specialist agent will contact you.
