Block’s digital wallet, Cash App, has launched a $25 NFC payment accessory called "Wand." Users can link it to their Cash App Card to make in-person payments at merchants that support Visa contactless payments. The company says this is the first product in a new line of payment tag hardware, with more forms to be released over the coming months.
Can be linked to the Cash App Card
The company stated that the payment tag must first be linked within the app to the Cash App Card. After activation, users can use this accessory to pay at Visa tap-to-pay-compatible terminals without maintaining a minimum balance.
After payment is completed, users will immediately receive a transaction notification and can lock or unlock the tag at any time within the app. If the device is lost, users can disable it directly through the app. Cash App also states that it will monitor payments made via the tag for fraud.
Target lighter-weight offline payment scenarios
This accessory comes with a keyring for easy attachment to bags or clothing, designed for payment scenarios where retrieving a phone is inconvenient, such as concerts or sporting events. Cash App aims to transform the typically hidden payment actions on phones or wallets into a more intuitive, wearable hardware experience.
From a product design perspective, this type of hardware is more akin to a wearable payment accessory than a traditional card replacement. Its core value proposition is not adding new payment capabilities, but rather making contactless payment more visible, portable, and accessible through a physical interface.
More versions will be launched this summer.
Block’s hardware lead, Thomas Templeton, said that digital wallets are often “invisible,” and physical cards are frequently tucked away deep in wallets, whereas payment tags offer a more visible alternative for making payments. The company believes such products have the potential to make payment behavior more visible and social.
Cash App stated that it will continue rolling out more label products over the coming months, including limited-edition versions, and plans to transition some styles to permanent availability this summer. In recent years, the company has consistently expanded its product lineup targeting younger users, having previously launched teen accounts and parental-controlled children’s debit cards.