Spanish CaixaBank SA is launching its TAP Visa contactless payment system in Barcelona. To enable payments, the system uses smart chip-embedded TAP Visa stickers attached to the backs of mobile devices.

Customers using the system simply tap their sticker-clad devices against an NFC-enabled POS terminal. Approximately 50,000 such terminals have already been deployed throughout Barcelona.

Transactions for less than €20 ($26) are completed with a tap; larger transactions require the customer to enter a PIN for user verification. An SMS message confirms transactions completed using the contactless TAP Visa sticker.

La Caixa also offers an application for iOS, Android and Blackberry devices that allows users to view account history and transactions.

CaixaBank said it will conduct an initial rollout of the project to 5,000 customers starting in December, with 200,000 users expected by February when the Mobile World Congress conference will take place in Barcelona.

Along with payments at the point of sale, CaixaBank has also set up contactless ATMs in Spain. Approximately 730 such terminals are available nationwide. Consumers will also be able to access these terminals using their TAP Visa stickers as well.

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