CurrentC
CurrentC is a mobile payment app created by a consortium of major retailers as an alternative to services like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. It allows users to pay and redeem coupons at participating merchants using a QR code scanned at checkout.
mobile-payments
qr-codes
loyalty-programs
retail
CurrentC: Mobile Payment App
Mobile payment app created by retailers, alternative to Apple Pay & Google Wallet, allows QR code scanning for coupons & payments at participating merchants
What is CurrentC?
CurrentC is a mobile payment app and platform developed by MCX (Merchant Customer Exchange), a consortium of major U.S. retailers including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Lowe's. It was intended to be an industry-standard mobile payment solution to compete with services like Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
The app allows customers to pay in-store by scanning a QR code generated at checkout. It can be linked to the user's bank account, store loyalty cards, and coupons for seamless redemption during payment. CurrentC does not support NFC payments.
In 2014 and 2015, CurrentC was in a beta testing phase but faced significant delays in full rollout. There were also concerns about security and privacy as it required access to a large amount of personal data. Major partners like Best Buy and Rite Aid backed out of the program.
As of 2022, CurrentC has essentially been discontinued after failing to gain traction against Apple Pay and Google Pay. The MCX consortium quietly closed down, although the underlying technology may be leveraged in the future for other mobile payment solutions.
CurrentC Features
Features
- QR code based mobile payments
- Merchant loyalty programs and offers
- Receipt scanning and storage
- Cash back rewards
- Coupon clipping and redemption
Pricing
- Free
- Freemium
Pros
Works across multiple retailers
Rewards and offers for loyal shoppers
No need for credit cards
Secure encrypted transactions
Cons
Limited retailer acceptance
Requires retailer app download
No major credit card backing
Discontinued development
The Best CurrentC Alternatives
Top Business & Commerce and Mobile Payments and other similar apps like CurrentC
Here are some alternatives to CurrentC:
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