Tap to Phone unveils a new era for Lebanese commerce and a faster, cost-effective way to accept digital payments
Beirut, Lebanon, February 09, 2026 – Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced a partnership with BLOM Bank to introduce BLOM Tap to Phone, a new payment solution that transforms smartphones into secure contactless payment terminals. Powered by the Visa Acceptance Platform, this launch marks a significant step in advancing Lebanon’s digital payment ecosystem and supporting businesses of all sizes.
Tap to Phone eliminates the need for traditional Point of Sale (POS) devices, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments directly on their NFC-enabled smartphones. This innovation provides a faster, more accessible, and cost-effective way for businesses to accept payments—empowering small businesses and micro-sellers.
Mario Makary, Vice President, Levant Cluster Country Manager at Visa, said, “We are pleased to partner with BLOM Bank to bring Tap to Phone to Lebanon. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and at Visa, we are committed to equipping them with innovative tools to thrive in the digital age. Through the Visa Acceptance Platform—our open, modular foundation for payment solutions and part of Visa’s Value-Added Services suite of over 200 solutions—we enable partners to deliver innovations like Tap to Phone quickly and with less complexity.”
Lebanon’s high digital readiness — with over 5.3 million internet users (representing 91.6% penetration) — creates a strong foundation for innovations like Tap to Phone. Globally, adoption of Tap to Phone grew by 200% in 2024 , underscoring the growing demand for secure, flexible payment solutions that empower small businesses and micro-sellers. This partnership reflects Visa’s commitment to accelerating Lebanon’s digital economy and driving inclusive growth
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.