Russia Rolls Out New Contactless Payment Service That Works on iPhones
PSB customers in Russia can now pay via Bluetooth using a service called Volna.
A new contactless payment service has become available to PSB clients in Russia. Called Volna, it allows users to pay via Bluetooth directly from the bank’s mobile app, without NFC, QR codes, or an internet connection. The service is already integrated into PSB’s payment infrastructure and works on both iOS and Android smartphones.
Direct, With No Middlemen
Payments are processed directly between the smartphone and the payment terminal via Bluetooth. To pay, users simply turn on Bluetooth, open the “Payments” section in the app, select Volna, bring the phone close to the terminal, and confirm the transaction. The entire process takes just a few seconds, with data transmitted directly between the two devices.
No Internet Required
The technology was developed by the National Payment Card System. Transactions are processed through the Faster Payments System, meaning the service can be used even in locations where connectivity is unstable or completely unavailable. This makes it particularly useful for shops, cafes, and other venues with limited internet access.
PSB emphasizes that Volna is designed for everyday purchases but can also handle higher-value transactions. The Bluetooth connection is established only briefly, and payment confirmation takes place inside the bank’s app. According to Olga Aleksyuk, head of digital business innovation technologies at PSB, the share of smartphone-based payments among the bank’s customers has more than doubled over the past year, and the new service is meant to make this payment method easier without compromising security.
For now, Volna works on PSB payment terminals located at the bank’s own merchant locations. The technology is expected to be rolled out more broadly in the future, with the aim of making Bluetooth payments a routine part of everyday life for smartphone users.
