United States NFC Payments Market Assessment, By Device Type, By Payment Type, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

United States NFC payments market is projected to witness a CAGR of 11.04% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 6.64 billion in 2024 to USD 15.34 billion in 2032. The United States NFC payments market is rapidly expanding, fueled by growing smartphone usage, mobile wallet adoption, and rising demand for secure, contactless transactions.

The United States NFC (Near Field Communication) payments market experiences strong expansion because consumers want quick, secure and smooth digital payment solutions. Consumers use NFC technology to make contactless payments through smartphones and smartwatches and NFC-enabled cards at terminals that support this technology. Technology has gained broad acceptance among the retail transportation and food services, and entertainment sectors due to its uncomplicated operation. The growing use of Apple Pay, along with Google Pay and Samsung Pay, promotes contactless payments because consumers want digital payment options, and smartphones remain prevalent in the market.

The expansion of NFC payment infrastructure receives strong support from businesses, which upgrade their point-of-sale systems to accept NFC payments. Major financial institutions, together with payment service providers, actively push NFC technology as an essential feature for both debit and credit cards. Data security concerns and small business adoption problems continue to exist, yet the market maintains very positive projections. The U.S. NFC payments market will keep strong growth momentum because of ongoing technological developments and rising consumer understanding, which will help drive the nation toward a cashless digital economy.

For instance, in June 2025, the NFC Forum announced Release 15, which extends NFC functionality to work within 2 cm distance instead of 0.5 cm, enabling improved speed and reliability for tap-to-pay and contactless applications. The new release incorporates support for the NFC Digital Product Passport, which strengthens product lifecycle tracking abilities. Public certification for compliant devices began in October 2025 with the launch of Certification Release 15 (CR15), supported by Apple, Google, and other major ecosystem partners to advance NFC functionality across payments, wearables, and IoT applications.

Widespread Adoption of Mobile Wallets and NFC-Enabled Devices Propel Market Growth

Mobile wallet usage and NFC device adoption serve as primary factors which drive the expansion of the U.S. NFC payments market. Smartphones have achieved widespread popularity, which has led to the universal adoption of NFC technology for contactless secure payments. The technology behind Apple Pay, together with Google Pay and Samsung Pay, uses NFC to provide users with quick and easy payment methods, which involve tapping their devices at retail terminals. The rising convenience of digital wallets has transformed consumer preferences toward using them rather than carrying traditional cards or cash. NFC technology now exists in smartphones and wearables, including smartwatches and fitness tracking devices, thus broadening its application points. Mobile wallets have established themselves as a commonly used payment method in the United States because their user-friendly design meets the merchant adoption of contactless payment methods.

For instance, in April 2025, Visa reported a 200% surge in Tap to Phone usage, enabling small businesses to accept contactless payments using just an NFC-enabled smartphone. Nearly 30% of new users are small businesses, which demonstrates how this technology provides easier digital payment access and increases cashless economy involvement.

High Smartphone and Internet Penetration Drive the Market Forward

The widespread use of smartphones and internet connectivity in the United States serves as a fundamental factor that supports NFC payment technology adoption. In 2024, more than 85 per cent of United States residents possess smartphones which provide them with reliable access to fast internet connections through 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi networks. The strong digital infrastructure enables consumers to operate Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay NFC-based mobile wallets easily and reliably.

NFC functionality exists in most modern smartphones, which allows users to perform tap-to-pay transactions without using physical cards. The quick payment solution appeals most to customers who live in cities because they perform multiple fast purchases at stores and coffee shops, and public transit points. Wearable technology, including smartwatches and fitness bands, enables users to make payments without using their hands through NFC functionality.

For example, in August 2024, Apple revealed that iOS 18.1 enables third-party apps to perform advanced NFC contactless transactions. Through this shift, Apple taps into the US smartphone and internet market penetration to provide millions of iPhone users with new contactless payment and digital service options through their devices.

Smartphone Dominates the United States NFC Payments Market

The United States NFC payments market will experience fast growth because of the powerful smartphone segment. Consumer adoption of mobile contactless payments continues to grow because most users own devices that include NFC technology, and they choose convenience and speed and security benefits. Through Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, users can execute smooth payments inside different retail facilities and service locations. The smartphone device serves as both a payment method for consumers and a platform for merchants to receive contactless payments. The dual-purpose nature of smartphones as payment tools and receiving devices establishes them as the most adaptable and reachable devices within the NFC system. The increasing demand for digital touch-free transactions will cause smartphones to lead the adoption curve, which will bring widespread NFC payment integration to retail establishments and other locations.

For instance, in January 2025, Mastercard Incorporated introduced its Tap-on-Phone system to U.S. businesses, allowing merchants to process NFC payments through contactless cards and mobile wallets using NFC-enabled smartphones without extra hardware. The solution enables small and micro-merchants to provide secure contactless payments at a low cost through EMV-level security and tokenization protection. The program aims to enhance NFC acceptance, availability and scalability across American retail establishments.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Multiple organizations within the United States NFC payments market establish various components of the payment system, which begin with consumer devices and end with backend transaction infrastructures. Mobile platforms and digital wallets receive continuous improvement from technology firms, which implement tap-to-pay functionality, while global payment networks work to enhance transaction security through tokenization and encryption and biometric authentication methods. Financial institutions work to speed up their contactless card issuance and mobile banking development that connects to NFC payment systems. The wearable device market has introduced NFC functionality to fitness trackers and smartwatches so users can perform transactions while moving about. Payment providers who focus on innovation now offer Tap-on-Phone solutions, which help small and micro-businesses accept NFC payments. The U.S. market will gain advantages from its high smartphone adoption rates, together with growing user preferences for contactless payments and ongoing infrastructure development investments. The growth of digital payment practices will lead essential stakeholders to concentrate on interoperability solutions and user experience improvements, and access expansion to maintain NFC adoption and market growth.

For instance, in May 2025, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. launched a "Tap to Transfer" feature in Samsung Wallet for US users, enabling instant money transfers via NFC by simply tapping devices. This innovation allows users to send funds directly to bank accounts or debit cards without third-party apps, streamlining peer-to-peer payments and expanding NFC's everyday use.