To allow users to safely transact with their cards while also utilizing their cards and tap-to-pay feature across online merchants and NFC-enabled point of sale terminals, Google Pay is in collaboration with Visa and banking partners for the tokenisation across its platform. 

And with Kotak and more banks expected to follow suit very soon, this feature is now available to users of Axis and SBI Cards. Through a secure digital token attached to their phone without having to physically share their credit or debit card details, Google Pay Android users can use their debit or credit card to make payments with tokenization.  

"We are hopeful that the tokenisation feature will further encourage users to transact securely and safely in the current times, and expand merchant transactions both online and offline," said Sajith Sivanandan, Business Head: Google Pay and NBU-India.Moreover, delivering more native and seamless OTP experiences without any redirects to 3D Secure sites, this feature also works with online merchants. 

"Visa recently crossed over 1 billion token credentials globally and with Google Pay live in India, we expect these numbers to rise significantly. We are excited to partner with Google to further accelerate digital payment innovations in times to come for the Indian market and beyond," said TR Ramachandran, Group Country Manager, Visa, India & South Asia.