Wise taps Google Pay

Wise has become the first global non-bank in the Philippines to enable Google Pay for its cardholders, allowing users to make secure contactless payments using their Android devices anywhere Google Pay is accepted.

The feature, launched on 19 November, is available to both Wise Account and Wise Business customers, who can now add their Wise cards to Google Wallet and pay in-store, online, in-app, and on public transport locally and abroad.

The rollout comes as digital payments continue to rise sharply in the country. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, digital transactions now make up over 57 percent of retail payments by volume. Wise data also shows that customers are 1.5 times more likely to transact when using mobile wallets than physical cards.

The service introduces multiple security features for Filipino users. Aside from the physical Wise card, customers may add up to three digital cards to Google Wallet, each with a unique number. These digital cards can be frozen or unfrozen instantly and tracked in real time, allowing users to assign different cards for specific spending needs.

With a Wise account and card, customers can hold, send, spend, and manage funds in more than 40 currencies at mid-market exchange rates with no hidden fees. The company also offers two free ATM withdrawals per month of up to P12,000 each.

“Filipino customers shouldn’t have to choose between the convenience of a traditional bank and the transparency of modern fintech. As the first global non-bank to launch Google Pay here, we’re proving you can have both,” said Areson Cuevas, country manager of Wise Philippines. “Whether you’re a business owner managing expenses across borders, a freelancer receiving international payments, or a traveler exploring the world, you can now tap and pay in over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate — with the same convenience major bank customers enjoy, but with the transparency and fairness Wise is known for.”

Google Philippines welcomed the development, citing its push for more secure digital transactions in the country.