The number of MasterCard and Maestro contactless transactions across Europe have more than tripled from 2012 to 2013, increasing its contactless footprint in the continent.
According to MasterCard, the volume spent on those transactions has also increased four times year-on-year.
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The company said that contactless will now be available in 63 countries worldwide, and in 34 countries in Europe including seven new countries in 2013 including Azerbaijan, Finland, Ireland, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and the Netherlands.
MasterCard and Maestro contactless cards or devices have been issued by more than 220 financial institutions in Europe and can be used at almost 2 million merchant locations worldwide, representing more than a 180% year-on-year increase.
MasterCard Europe president, Javier Perez, said: "The figures we share today showcase how contactless payment has reached mass market adoption in several countries. As well as being loved by people across Europe, retailers are also seeing the benefit with some seeing well over 50% of card transactions tapped, making the shopping experience safer and simpler for all of us.
"The move to contactless is also helping us continue to drive the use of mobile payments and by the end of Q4 2013, we had 50 mobile NFC programmes live in Europe – showing just how important payment innovation is for all of us in Europe."
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By GlobalData
