GCash will soon let users link their Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards directly to their accounts as a payment source for transactions, according to an announcement from Mynt’s newsroom.

Set to roll out within August, the feature will enable in-store purchases even when a user’s GCash wallet balance is low or empty, removing the need to cash in first.

Users will be able to link up to three Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards to their GCash account, set a default payment card, and manage or unlink cards directly within the app.

Card linking will be authenticated through a one-time password, while eligible transactions will also be authenticated using biometrics or a phone PIN where available.

“As we prepare to roll out this feature, we remain committed to giving Filipinos the freedom to pay their way with ultimate convenience and total peace of mind,” said Ren-ren Reyes, President and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc., GCash’s mobile wallet operator.

Rappler reported that Visa Payment Passkey, a FIDO-based authentication standard, will specifically protect transactions, verifying purchases via fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN instead of passwords or SMS one-time passwords.

Neither GCash’s announcement nor other coverage mentions NFC support, suggesting the feature will likely limit itself to QR-based transactions for now.

Building on an Existing Card Ecosystem

This differs from GCash’s existing physical GCash Card powered by Visa, a prepaid debit card tied directly to a user’s GCash balance, launched to give unbanked Filipinos access to a payment card.

The new feature instead lets users connect external bank-issued Visa or Mastercard cards as a separate funding source, expanding how GCash users can pay beyond their wallet balance alone.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on an image by vishaldesignstudio via Magnific.