Russia Launches Smartphone Payments Without Internet or NFC
Sberbank has introduced Vzhukh, a Bluetooth‑based payment service that works even on devices without NFC and supports international cards.
Sber has rolled out its Vzhukh service for all Android smartphones, including those without a Mir card and devices lacking NFC modules, according to First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank Kirill Tsaryov ahead of the “Made at Sber” conference.
The service is built on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and works with any payment card, including Visa and Mastercard. Vzhukh operates at a distance and enables purchases even with poor or no internet connectivity.
Growing Demand
“Support for Vzhukh on Android addresses
the need for contactless payments among smartphone owners without NFC.
According to our estimates, this includes around 10 million of our clients, and
it is important for us to provide them with a seamless payment experience. The
technology will also be useful for customers who want to connect international
payment cards to their smartphone,” Tsaryov noted.
He added that T‑Bank and Alfa‑Bank have already launched the service in their mobile apps, with two more banks expected to join by the end of the year.
