Apple Pay Now Available for Mir Cardholders in Russia

Customers using cards with the Russian payment system "Mir" now have access to using their cards with Apple Pay, the Russian News Agency reports, citing a press release.

mir russia apple pay
The Mir payment system is Russia's national payment system, with cards being accepted in 11 countries. The payment system has 270 banks as participants, with 150 banks issuing Mir cards. Apple Pay support came to Mir cardholders for customers of several banks, according to the agency.

Sberbank, VTB, Tinkoff Bank, Russian Agricultural Bank, Promsvyazbank, Pochta Bank, Center-Invest Bank, and Primsotsbank were the first banks to provide their Mir cards clients with Apple Pay, General Director of the payment system Vladimir Komlev said.

‌Apple Pay‌ first launched in Russia in October of 2016 and has since expanded to more countries and supporting banks.

Top Rated Comments

Dimka Avatar
28 months ago
Apple pay is much more widely used in Russia than in the US. Virtually any place that excepts payments accepts it too, like shopping, gas stations, public transportation, museums, pizza delivery payment at your door etc. Mir cards often allow holders to get noticeable discounts for many kinds of payments.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IIGS User Avatar
28 months ago

Apple pay is much more widely used in Russia than in the US. Virtually any place that excepts payments accepts it too, like shopping, gas stations, public transportation, museums, pizza delivery payment at your door etc. Mir cards often allow holders to get noticeable discounts for many kinds of payments.
Only two places I've been in the US the past month that don't take Apple pay are Wal-Mart and the pay at the pump at one of the national warehouse club chains.

I use it for everything else, to the point where I'm more likely to leave the house with my watch than my wallet, or my phone.

Just about every POS system that has EMV capabilities has contactless payment capabilities at this point, which supports Apple, Google, and NFC payments with supported cards.

I can't remember last time I asked if a merchant took Apple pay, and they said no. I usually have to remind my wife as she's getting out her wallet "Hey, babe, they take Apple pay"..

She loves it too......
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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