Blab Tech
TrueMoney Launches Thailands First Inclusive Tap-to-Pay Service
TrueMoney, the Southeast Asian fintech arm of Ascend Money, began rolling out Thailand’s first inclusive tap‑to‑pay digital payment service on July 21, 2026. The launch adds both closed‑loop and open‑loop contactless options to the TrueMoney Wallet, expanding the platform’s reach to more than 35 million registered users across the country.
The new service is part of Ascend Money’s strategy to make contactless payments more accessible, according to Monsinee Nakapanant, co‑president of Ascend Money. She said that technology, artificial intelligence and deep customer understanding will shape the next era of payment technology. Digital payments are already deeply embedded in everyday life across Southeast Asia, she added.
TrueMoney’s closed‑loop option, called BlueTap, is available at 7‑Eleven stores and select merchant partners. The company plans to expand BlueTap to more than 50 000 paypoints nationwide by September 2026. Since its launch, BlueTap has attracted more than 1.5 million users and recorded over 5 million taps, with strong adoption among younger consumers and office workers, the company said.
The open‑loop option uses EMV contactless terminals that support Europay, Mastercard and Visa. Developed in partnership with Alipay+ and leveraging Mastercard’s Wallet Pay technology, the open‑loop tap‑to‑pay lets users activate contactless wallet payments within seconds and tap the TrueMoney app at any EMV terminal without needing a physical card.
TrueMoney estimates that its open‑loop service will be usable at more than 900 000 contactless acceptance points across Thailand and at over 150 million contactless points in more than 220 markets worldwide. The service is currently available to eligible Android users, with a broader rollout planned.
Transit integration is a key focus. TrueMoney users can tap and pay on roughly 6 000 Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMA) buses, using EMV terminals carried by bus conductors. The company is also working with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, the operator of the MRT Blue and Purple Lines, to introduce tap payments at station gates using the same infrastructure. That launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Tanarat Thuvasujirake, TrueMoney’s commercial director, said that a major obstacle for digital payments is the multiple steps required to complete a transaction. He added that consumers are looking for simpler and faster experiences.
TrueMoney’s dual‑model approach makes it one of the first wallet platforms globally to support both closed‑loop and open‑loop tap‑to‑pay experiences at scale. The company’s expansion plans, partnership with Alipay+ and integration with Thailand’s transit systems position it as a significant player in the country’s evolving digital payments landscape.
At present, the service is live for Android users and will expand to other platforms and regions as the company scales its infrastructure. The rollout aligns with broader industry moves toward contactless payments and the increasing adoption of NFC‑based mobile wallets across Southeast Asia.
The launch marks a milestone for TrueMoney and Ascend Money as they continue to grow their user base and expand services beyond Thailand into other Southeast Asian markets.
The new service is part of Ascend Money’s strategy to make contactless payments more accessible, according to Monsinee Nakapanant, co‑president of Ascend Money. She said that technology, artificial intelligence and deep customer understanding will shape the next era of payment technology. Digital payments are already deeply embedded in everyday life across Southeast Asia, she added.
TrueMoney’s closed‑loop option, called BlueTap, is available at 7‑Eleven stores and select merchant partners. The company plans to expand BlueTap to more than 50 000 paypoints nationwide by September 2026. Since its launch, BlueTap has attracted more than 1.5 million users and recorded over 5 million taps, with strong adoption among younger consumers and office workers, the company said.
The open‑loop option uses EMV contactless terminals that support Europay, Mastercard and Visa. Developed in partnership with Alipay+ and leveraging Mastercard’s Wallet Pay technology, the open‑loop tap‑to‑pay lets users activate contactless wallet payments within seconds and tap the TrueMoney app at any EMV terminal without needing a physical card.
TrueMoney estimates that its open‑loop service will be usable at more than 900 000 contactless acceptance points across Thailand and at over 150 million contactless points in more than 220 markets worldwide. The service is currently available to eligible Android users, with a broader rollout planned.
Transit integration is a key focus. TrueMoney users can tap and pay on roughly 6 000 Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMA) buses, using EMV terminals carried by bus conductors. The company is also working with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, the operator of the MRT Blue and Purple Lines, to introduce tap payments at station gates using the same infrastructure. That launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Tanarat Thuvasujirake, TrueMoney’s commercial director, said that a major obstacle for digital payments is the multiple steps required to complete a transaction. He added that consumers are looking for simpler and faster experiences.
TrueMoney’s dual‑model approach makes it one of the first wallet platforms globally to support both closed‑loop and open‑loop tap‑to‑pay experiences at scale. The company’s expansion plans, partnership with Alipay+ and integration with Thailand’s transit systems position it as a significant player in the country’s evolving digital payments landscape.
At present, the service is live for Android users and will expand to other platforms and regions as the company scales its infrastructure. The rollout aligns with broader industry moves toward contactless payments and the increasing adoption of NFC‑based mobile wallets across Southeast Asia.
The launch marks a milestone for TrueMoney and Ascend Money as they continue to grow their user base and expand services beyond Thailand into other Southeast Asian markets.
