MasterCard has partnered with WebMoney Corporation and Credit Saison to launch the first MasterCard-branded prepaid card in Japan.

The prepaid card called WebMoneyCard can be used both online and at physical merchants that accept WebMoney or MasterCard payment cards.

With the WebMoneyCard, cardholders can make payments at approximately 38.1 million MasterCard acceptance locations in more than 210 countries worldwide. The card can be used for diverse everyday purchases, ranging from apps to payment at restaurants, cafes and convenience stores.

It is obtainable without credit evaluation, ensures that cardholders can shop with ease, knowing that their spending will always remain within pre-loaded amounts.

A smartphone app, WebMoney Card Case, was concurrently launched to enable cardholders to view their card balance and to reload funds online. The app also simplifies reissuance in the event of card loss.

Meanwhile, MasterCard has launched its MasterPass in Singapore, offering a simplified payment experience while protecting the user’s card and personal details. 

By selecting ‘Buy With MasterPass’ as the checkout option, customers reduce the risk of exposing their personal information over potentially unsafe networks and can look forward to more privacy as their details are not shared directly with merchants.

MasterPass will evolve to support the use of emerging technologies – NFC, QR codes and tags – for in-store purchases, based on the shopping experiences a merchant wants to make available to its customers.