Milestone for Alipay Tap! solution as daily payment transactions hit 100m in China

Alipay reports that daily payment transactions through its Alipay Tap! solution have exceeded 100 million. It says that this reflects “the rapid rise of tap-based payments and access to everyday services in China”.

Launched in July 2024, Alipay Tap! combines QR code and NFC technologies so that people can make in-store payments by unlocking their phone and tapping it against a merchant terminal or Tap! tag – with no app launch, scanning, or extra steps required.

Since launch, more than 200 million Chinese consumers have used the offering, with 100 million new users added in four months. The service has proven especially popular among younger consumers, older adults, and people with visual impairments. International visitors can also link international debit or credit cards to Alipay and pay while traveling in China.

Beyond payments, Alipay Tap! also connects users to over 2,200 everyday services, from restaurant ordering and shared bike unlocking to parcel collection and instant tax refunds.

Alipay is also expanding this to wearables through partnerships with companies such as Xiaomi, Rokid, and RayNeo. On AI smart glasses, users can look at a blue Alipay Tap! ring and activate payment with a voice command, such as “help me pay,” and confirm and complete transactions hands free.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Payments will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.