Swedish mobile payments outfit Seamless is arriving in Belgium after striking deals with local bank bpost and fast food giant McDonald's.
From next spring, bpost customers will be able to download the Seamless Seqr app and link it to their bank account, letting them make in-store and online purchases using their handsets.
Users scan or tap a QR/NFC code at the checkout at partner merchants before approving the payment by entering their PIN. Seamless says that its system is independent from existing payment structures such as card networks, enabling retailers to slash their interchange fees.
McDonald's, which already works with Seamless in Sweden and Kuwait, is the first merchant partner onboard, promising to accept Seqr payments at all of its Belgium restaurants at launch.
Frédéric Jonnart, director, marketing and sales, bpost bank, says: "As a simple and free solution, Seqr accords with the values of bpost bank, who wants to provide products and services which are easy to use, secure and for everyone."
Having raised EUR36 million in funding earlier this month, Seamless is working hard to bring in bank and retail partners around the world. It recently teamed up with GarantiBank in Romania and also operates in Norway and Finland.