The Tech that Powers Tap to Pay

DATE: Fri, Aug 15, 2025
PUBLICATION: The Wall Street Journal

From Apple iPhones to New York City subway turnstiles, tap-to-pay use in everyday American life is growing, thanks in part to its security and ease of use. But tap-to-pay and its small NFC antennas are more complicated than they look. WSJ takes you inside one of Square’s card readers to break down the tech that works in seconds to power contactless payments.