Visa and GCash are expanding digital payment options in the Philippines with a new feature that will allow consumers to use eligible Visa cards as a funding source for QR transactions within the GCash app.
The upcoming capability will enable users to link their Visa cards to GCash and pay merchants through QR payments even without sufficient wallet balance. Instead of topping up through linked bank accounts or fund transfers, consumers can use their connected Visa cards directly for everyday purchases at GCash-accepted merchants.
The new payment experience aims to provide greater flexibility and convenience for Filipinos, allowing them to use their preferred funding method when paying at restaurants, markets, retail stores, and tourist destinations.
Security is also a key component of the initiative. Transactions made using Visa cards will be protected by Visa Payment Passkey, a biometric authentication solution that allows users to verify online purchases through fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, or device PIN instead of traditional passwords or SMS one-time passwords (OTPs).
Built on Fast Identity Online (FIDO®) standards, Visa Payment Passkey is designed to improve checkout experiences while helping protect consumers against phishing and other online fraud risks. Visa said biometric authentication can reduce fraud rates by up to 50% compared with SMS-based OTP methods.
“Consumers increasingly expect flexibility in how they pay, and are looking for payment experiences that are simple, secure, and seamless,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines. “This collaboration expands that flexibility by allowing consumers to use their Visa credentials across everyday digital payment journeys, including QR payments.”
Ren-Ren Reyes, President and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, said the new feature strengthens the GCash ecosystem by giving millions of Filipinos more options for managing payments while supporting broader financial inclusion.
The partnership comes as digital payments continue to accelerate in the Philippines. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital transactions now represent 57.4% of total monthly retail payment volume in the country.
By combining Visa’s payment technology with GCash’s digital wallet ecosystem, the companies aim to support the continued growth of cashless transactions and make digital commerce more accessible, secure, and convenient for Filipino consumers.
