Alfa-Bank introduced a new generation of payment terminals capable of biometric identification of shoppers. The announcement came from the bank’s press service and signals a shift toward faster, more private checkout experiences. The devices combine strong security with a user friendly interface and are designed to work smoothly with a wide range of payment methods already in use. This launch positions Alfa-Bank at the forefront of integrating biometric verification into everyday commerce, offering merchants a practical upgrade rather than a disruptive overhaul.
The rollout took place at Finopolis-2024, the Moscow forum focused on innovative financial technologies. The event gathered industry players to showcase the next wave of fintech solutions and to discuss how biometric checkout can fit into current retail ecosystems. Alfa-Bank presented the terminals as a bridge between traditional cash flows and modern digital identity verification, emphasizing ease of integration with existing point-of-sale systems.
The bank noted that the new terminals run on the Android operating system, support all on market cash solutions, and feature a sleek design with an intuitive interface. Their powerful hardware and software enable applications to respond quickly and to run multiple payment tools in parallel, reducing wait times for customers and improving merchant efficiency.
Payments can be made in numerous ways through these terminals: by card, through the SBP, with rings, stickers, bracelets, watches, and QR codes, or via various banking payment services using biometric ID. Integration of the digital ruble is expected in the near future, which would expand the options available to customers and merchants alike.
To pay for a purchase with biometrics, customers simply press the Pay at a glance button on the screen and look at the terminal camera. The system then verifies identity and completes the payment, offering a fast, contactless experience while reducing the need for card handling and PIN entry.
Alfa-Bank announced that the technology is operating in pilot mode, with scaling planned for early 2025. The company intends to broaden deployment to more merchants, financial partners, and service points as pilot results confirm reliability, security, and user acceptance.
Denis Osin, Alfa-Bank’s director for Small and Micro Business, noted that such innovations contribute to the development of payment solutions in Russia and expand the range of instruments available to consumers and businesses. He highlighted the potential for more flexible financing options and faster settlements as the ecosystem evolves.
During Finopolis-2024, the two-day demonstration saw more than 300 successful payments conducted using biometric identity, and Alfa-Bank described this as just the beginning of a broader rollout and continued experimentation with biometric checkout across the market.