Microsoft is preparing to follow Apple and Google into mobile payments, lining up the regulatory approvals needed for the launch of a host card emulation-based service.
Last month the firm showed off the tap and pay mobile payments system for handsets running its new Windows 10 operating system at a conference in China. As well as support for Secure Element-based payments, it also taps HCE.
This prompted fintech consultant Faisal Khan to dig around State financial regulator sites looking for evidence that Microsoft had received money transmitter licenses. Khan says that the firm has filed in all 50 States and has received its first license in Idaho.
Microsoft has not commented on any imminent launch, but the expected move will see Windows phone users join Android and iOS customers in being able to make NFC payments.