The ST54M represents a significant step forward in mobile security architecture. By integrating PQC hardware acceleration directly into the chip, STMicroelectronics is addressing a challenge the industry has been anticipating for years: the eventual ability of quantum computers to break widely used public-key cryptography algorithms. The chip supports ML-KEM and ML-DSA, two algorithms selected by NIST as part of its post-quantum cryptography standardisation effort.

What makes the ST54M particularly notable is its convergence approach. Rather than requiring separate components for NFC, secure element, eSIM, and cryptographic processing, the single-die design consolidates these functions into one package. For device manufacturers, this means reduced board space, simplified supply chains, and a more streamlined integration process.

The chip includes an enhanced RF front end designed to improve antenna performance, which is critical for reliable NFC communication in compact device form factors. A large onboard memory capacity allows the secure element to host multiple applications simultaneously, from contactless payment credentials and transit ticketing to digital identity documents and car keys.

Security protections extend beyond the PQC algorithms themselves. The ST54M incorporates countermeasures against side-channel attacks and fault-injection techniques, both of which are common vectors for extracting cryptographic keys from hardware. These protections are essential for maintaining the integrity of sensitive applications such as mobile payments and digital identity verification.

David Richetto, Vice President and Division General Manager of the Connected Security Group at STMicroelectronics, commented on the launch: “With ST54M, we are extending our mobile-convergence platform to help customers address evolving security challenges.”

The chip supports a broad range of NFC-enabled use cases including contactless payments, public transit ticketing, physical access control, digital driving licenses, connectivity management through eSIM, and digital car keys. This versatility positions the ST54M as a platform component rather than a single-purpose solution.

STMicroelectronics is targeting Common Criteria 2022 EUCC certification and EMVCo certification by July 2026, with sampling already available to customers and production expected to begin in July 2026. The company also offers certified software libraries, including NesLib-PQML and X-CUBE-PQC for its STM32 microcontroller family, to support the broader transition to post-quantum cryptography across its product ecosystem.

The timing of the ST54M launch aligns with growing industry urgency around PQC readiness. Governments and standards bodies worldwide have been pushing for a transition away from classical cryptographic algorithms before large-scale quantum computers become practical. For NFC-enabled applications that handle payment credentials, identity documents, and access tokens, the stakes of that transition are particularly high.

With nearly 49,000 employees and a customer base exceeding 200,000 organisations globally, STMicroelectronics continues to position itself at the intersection of connectivity, security, and mobile innovation.

Read more at https://newsroom.st.com/media-center/press-item.html/p4784.html

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The announcement, made on July 3, 2026, marks a new chapter for the France-headquartered secure identification and smart technology company, which operates across the Transport, e-ID, Payment, and Track and Trace sectors.

Lagios is no stranger to the business. He joined Paragon ID in 2018 as Chief Commercial Officer, where he was responsible for shaping commercial strategy and driving growth across the company’s portfolio of RFID, NFC, IoT, and SaaS solutions. His promotion to the top job comes after nearly three decades of leadership experience in secure technologies and identification.

Before joining Paragon ID, Lagios spent 17 years in senior positions at AUSTRIACARD Group (now AUSTRIACARD Holdings), building deep expertise in secure document production and smart card technology. He holds an MBA from Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow.

Under Rogers’ leadership, Paragon ID underwent a significant transformation. The company completed its transition to private ownership under Grenadier Holdings and used that stability to invest heavily in innovation, strengthen its operational capabilities, and push further into international markets. Rogers will continue to contribute to the wider group in his new role at Grenadier.

Paragon ID’s technology portfolio spans several critical sectors. In Transport and Smart Cities, the company supplies RFID and NFC-enabled ticketing and access solutions. Its Track and Trace division serves logistics and supply chain customers, while the e-ID business produces secure identification documents. The Payment arm delivers contactless payment solutions for financial institutions and transit operators.

Chairman Patrick J. Crean praised the appointment, noting that Lagios combines deep industry knowledge with strategic vision and a thorough understanding of both the business and its people.

For his part, Lagios expressed enthusiasm about leading Paragon ID into its next phase of growth, pointing to the company’s market-leading technologies and strong customer relationships as key foundations for the future.

The appointment positions Paragon ID to accelerate its strategy in secure identification and connected ecosystems at a time when demand for RFID, NFC, and IoT-based solutions continues to grow across government, transport, and enterprise markets worldwide.

Read more at https://www.paragon-id.com/en/inspiration/paragon-id-appoints-konstantinos-lagios-as-chief-executive-officer

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At the heart of the proposal is a simple but significant shift: allowing UK fintechs and app developers to tap into the NFC chip built into every modern iPhone. Currently, Apple tightly controls which apps can use NFC for contactless transactions, effectively locking out competitors from offering tap-to-pay functionality through their own digital wallets. The CMA wants to change that.

If the requirements go ahead, developers would be able to build apps that support contactless payments, account-to-account transfers, and digital currency transactions using NFC. But the implications stretch well beyond payments. The consultation document highlights use cases including digital identity verification, stablecoin wallets, and even car keys, all powered by the same NFC hardware that Apple has kept under tight control.

The CMA is actively seeking input from the developer community on two key questions. First, what technical method should be used to provide NFC access on iOS? And second, what would constitute fair pricing for that access? The deadline for responses on the NFC consultation is 21 July 2026, giving developers and businesses just weeks to have their say on what could become a landmark ruling for the RFID and contactless technology sector.

For the broader NFC ecosystem, the move signals a potential wave of innovation. Smaller payment providers and fintech startups have long argued that Apple’s grip on NFC functionality creates an uneven playing field. Opening up access could lead to a surge in new contactless applications, particularly in areas like transit ticketing, loyalty programmes, and secure access control where NFC is already widely adopted on Android devices.

The NFC consultation sits alongside a separate but related set of proposals around app store steering. The CMA is also looking at rules that would allow developers to direct customers to alternative payment methods outside of the App Store and Google Play. Apple currently bans this practice outright, while Google restricts it, though Google announced on 24 June that it would update its Play Store terms to allow developer steering in the UK with immediate effect.

The steering proposals include principles to ensure that any fees charged by platforms for off-store transactions remain “fair and reasonable” and sit below current app store commission rates. The consultation on steering requirements is open until 28 July 2026.

These moves come after 18 months of work under the UK’s digital markets competition regime. The CMA has now concluded three strategic market status investigations and recently launched a fourth targeting Microsoft, signalling that regulatory scrutiny of big tech platforms is only intensifying. A final decision on the Apple and Google requirements is expected later in 2026.

Read more at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-consults-on-new-requirements-for-apple-and-googles-mobile-platforms

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The TraceCase sniffer provides protocol-level analysis of NFC transactions involving embedded secure elements (eSEs), UICCs, and contactless readers. Engineers at CISC can now decode multi-layered communication sequences in real time, quickly identifying protocol deviations and unexpected device behavior that would otherwise require extensive manual investigation. For a lab that routinely tests interoperability across mobile phones, wearables, POS terminals, and smart cards, this level of visibility into the protocol stack is a significant operational gain.

One of the most notable technical features of the TraceCase platform is its integrated H-field measurement capability. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and relies on magnetic coupling between devices, which means that antenna design, metallic enclosures, and environmental shielding all have a direct impact on signal stability and communication reliability. The integrated H-field measurement allows CISC engineers to observe protocol traces and magnetic field strength simultaneously, correlating signal-layer behavior with protocol-layer events in a single capture session. This dual-layer insight is particularly valuable when diagnosing intermittent failures that stem from marginal RF conditions rather than software defects.

From a workflow perspective, the compact and portable form factor of the TraceCase unit fits naturally into CISC’s existing automated test setups. Engineers report faster setup times for signal captures, more granular filtering options during trace analysis, and shorter debugging cycles overall. These efficiency improvements translate directly into faster project turnaround times for CISC’s clients, who depend on the lab for comprehensive interoperability reports covering application, protocol, data, timing, and signal layers.

CISC Semiconductor operates one of the more established NFC interoperability testing facilities in Europe. The lab’s fully automated test environments simulate real-world communication scenarios using diverse counterpart devices, generating detailed reports with tabular data, graphical analysis, and optional low-level debugging information. The addition of COMPRION’s sniffer technology adds another dimension to this testing capability, particularly for clients developing contactless payment solutions, transit ticketing systems, and access control applications where protocol compliance and signal integrity are non-negotiable requirements.

The partnership between CISC and COMPRION reflects a broader industry trend toward more sophisticated NFC testing infrastructure. As the number of NFC-enabled devices continues to grow and use cases expand beyond payment into areas such as digital identity, device provisioning, and IoT configuration, the demand for rigorous interoperability validation is increasing. Labs that can offer combined protocol and RF signal analysis are better positioned to catch the subtle interaction failures that surface when devices from different manufacturers attempt to communicate in varied physical environments.

Read more at https://www.cisc.at/blog/comprion_sniffer/

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Cash App Tags are linked directly to a user’s Cash App Visa Card and work at any merchant that accepts Visa tap-to-pay. The NFC chip inside each Tag communicates with the payment terminal in under one second, making transactions fast and frictionless. There is no need to unlock a phone, open an app, or fumble with a physical card.

The debut product is the Cash App Wand, a pearlescent keychain attachment priced at $25 plus applicable sales tax. It is compact, designed to clip onto bags, keys, or lanyards, and is clearly aimed at younger consumers who want payments to be both convenient and expressive. Block is targeting Gen Z buyers in particular, with eligibility starting at age 13.

From a security standpoint, Cash App Tags come with several layers of protection. Users receive real-time transaction alerts every time a Tag is tapped, and 24/7 fraud monitoring runs in the background. If a Tag is lost or stolen, it can be instantly locked or unlocked from within the Cash App. Users also have the option to permanently deactivate a Tag at any time. There are no minimum balance or activity requirements to keep a Tag active.

Thomas Templeton, Hardware Lead at Block, highlighted the intentional visibility of the product. He noted that Cash App Tags are “just the opposite” of invisible digital wallets or cards buried in a pocket, and that early testers enjoyed carrying and displaying the Wand at checkout. That philosophy of making payments visible and personal sits at the heart of the product line.

The NFC technology underpinning Cash App Tags is well established in the contactless payment world but has traditionally been confined to smartphones and plastic cards. By embedding NFC chips into standalone accessories, Block is following a path explored by companies like Apple with the Apple Watch and various smart ring manufacturers. The difference here is price point and accessibility. At $25, the Wand undercuts most NFC-enabled wearables on the market and removes the need for any additional hardware beyond the accessory itself.

Block has signalled that the Wand is just the beginning. Multiple Cash App Tag designs will launch in limited runs over the coming weeks, with general availability planned for summer 2026. Looking further ahead, the company envisions expanding NFC-enabled form factors into clothing, jewellery, and other everyday items. If that roadmap materialises, Cash App Tags could become one of the more visible consumer applications of NFC technology in recent years.

For the RFID and NFC industry, this launch is significant. It demonstrates continued mainstream investment in NFC for payments beyond the traditional card and phone form factors. It also highlights how consumer brands are beginning to treat NFC-enabled accessories as fashion and lifestyle products rather than purely functional payment tools.

Read more at https://investors.block.xyz/investor-news/news-details/2026/Introducing-Cash-App-Tags1-A-New-Way-to-Pay/default.aspx

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NFC: A Specialised Branch of HF RFID

At its core, NFC is a subset of High-Frequency (HF) RFID technology. Both NFC and HF RFID operate at 13.56 MHz and rely on the same principle of inductive coupling, where a reader generates a magnetic field that powers a passive tag through electromagnetic induction. The key standards underpinning NFC, including ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 18092, are built directly on established HF RFID protocols.

However, NFC distinguishes itself from general HF RFID in several important ways. While traditional HF RFID is typically one-directional, with a reader interrogating a passive tag, NFC supports genuine two-way communication between devices. It also operates at a much shorter range, typically four centimetres or less, which is a deliberate design choice that enhances security for sensitive transactions.

Three Modes of Operation

NFC devices can operate in three distinct modes, each serving different use cases.

Reader/Writer Mode allows an NFC-enabled device such as a smartphone to read data from, or write data to, passive NFC tags. These tags can be embedded in smart posters, product packaging, business cards, or stickers. When a phone is held near the tag, it wirelessly powers the chip through electromagnetic induction and reads the stored information, which might be a URL, contact details, or a command to launch an application. This mode is the foundation for smart poster campaigns and interactive marketing.

Peer-to-Peer Mode enables two active NFC devices to exchange data directly. Both devices generate their own radio frequency fields and take turns communicating. This mode supports sharing contacts, photos, files, or small data payloads simply by bringing two smartphones close together.

Card Emulation Mode transforms an NFC-enabled smartphone into a virtual contactless smart card. In this mode, the phone does not generate its own RF field. Instead, it responds to an external NFC reader just as a physical contactless card would. This is the mode that enables mobile payment services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, as well as digital transit passes and building access credentials.

Smartphone Interaction and Contactless Payments

The widespread adoption of NFC in smartphones has been the single biggest driver of the technology’s growth. When a consumer taps their phone at a point-of-sale terminal, the phone’s secure element, a tamper-resistant chip that stores payment credentials, communicates with the terminal using card emulation mode. The transaction is protected by dynamic tokenisation, meaning a unique token is generated for each payment rather than transmitting actual card details. Combined with biometric authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition, NFC payments offer a level of security that surpasses traditional magnetic-stripe cards.

Smart Posters and Beyond

Beyond payments, NFC tags embedded in posters, product labels, and signage allow consumers to access digital content with a single tap. A smart poster at a bus stop might link to real-time schedule information, while an NFC tag on a wine bottle could connect to tasting notes and origin details. These passive tags require no battery and can be reprogrammed, making them a cost-effective tool for bridging physical products with digital experiences.

As the NFC Forum continues to advance its standards, including faster data rates, wireless charging capabilities, and support for Digital Product Passports, the technology is set to play an even larger role in connecting the physical and digital worlds.

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The partnership brings two integrated digital solutions to one of the country’s busiest road corridors. The first is a Service and Penalty Management platform that replaces manual cash-based workflows with a fully automated system for processing traffic fines, road service fees, and other charges. The second is the TOLO Mini App, an RFID-integrated feature within the telebirr SuperApp that allows drivers to top up their Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) accounts and pass through toll gates without stopping.

How the RFID toll system works

Drivers register their vehicles and link them to their telebirr accounts through the TOLO Mini App. Each vehicle is fitted with a UHF RFID tag, and upon registration the tag ID, toll card ID, and number plate are all digitally linked in the system. When a vehicle approaches a toll gate, the RFID reader detects the tag from a distance, deducts the applicable fee from the linked telebirr balance, and grants immediate passage. No stopping, no cash, no queuing.

The Mini App also supports fleet management, allowing a single account holder to manage up to ten vehicles and process top-ups on behalf of other drivers. This flexibility makes the system practical not just for private motorists but for logistics operators and commercial fleet managers using the expressway regularly.

Replacing manual processes with automation

Before this system was introduced, ETRE relied on physical cash handling, manual bank transfers, and manual data entry into ERP systems. That approach created predictable problems: congestion at toll booths, revenue leakage, and a high risk of errors or fraud. The new platform addresses all of these directly.

The Service and Penalty Management component covers payments for overweight vehicle violations, unauthorised expressway entry, property damage fees, tow crane and tipper services, and vehicle parking charges. Management teams now have access to a real-time dashboard with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), giving centralised visibility over all revenue streams and improving accountability across the board.

Part of a broader digital strategy

The launch is positioned as a contribution to Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, with Ethio telecom using its telebirr SuperApp platform as the backbone for both services. Telebirr already has a substantial user base across the country, which is expected to support rapid adoption of the digital toll and payment features without requiring users to install separate applications.

For the RFID industry, the deployment is a solid example of UHF RFID being applied at scale in a developing market, integrated directly with a mobile payment platform rather than relying on dedicated hardware or card-based systems. It also demonstrates the growing appetite for frictionless, contactless payment infrastructure in African transport networks.

The Addis Ababa-Adama expressway is one of the most heavily trafficked routes in Ethiopia, and the efficiencies gained here could lay the groundwork for rolling out similar systems on other toll roads across the country.

Read more at https://www.ethiotelecom.et/ethio-telecom-and-etre-unveiled-an-rfid-powered-toll-payment-system-and-a-service-penalty-payment-platform-powered-by-telebirr-enabling-seamless-expressway-mobility/

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The new framework agreement, which runs for up to five years, was awarded following a competitive selection process. Paragon ID has already received the first manufacturing contract under the arrangement, with production beginning this month and initial deliveries of Oyster cards scheduled for March 2026.

The company’s involvement with TfL’s Oyster programme has evolved through several phases. The previous framework was established in 2020, following a redesign phase initiated by TfL in 2019. Paragon ID’s continued selection highlights the strength of its capabilities in smart card manufacturing, RFID and NFC technologies, and contactless payment systems.

Ryan Mellors, Managing Director at Paragon ID UK, said the contract win represented a major milestone for the business. He described retaining a place on the Oyster framework and being chosen to deliver the first production run under the new agreement as a significant achievement.

The Oyster card remains central to daily travel across London’s transport network, serving millions of passengers on the Underground, buses, trams, and rail services. First introduced in 2003, the contactless smart card has become a globally recognised benchmark for urban mobility, and TfL continues to invest in maintaining and refreshing its card stock to meet ongoing demand.

Paragon ID brings considerable scale to the contract. The company is a global leader in identification solutions, employing more than 900 people across manufacturing sites in the United States and Europe. Its expertise spans e-ID documents, transport ticketing, traceability systems, and payment technologies. The business is owned by Grenadier Holdings and operates in more than 30 countries worldwide.

The transport ticketing sector continues to see strong demand for physical smart cards alongside the growth of mobile and digital payment options. While contactless bank cards and mobile wallets have gained significant traction on the TfL network, the Oyster card remains a vital option for passengers, particularly those without access to contactless payment methods or those who prefer the dedicated travel card for budgeting purposes.

Paragon ID’s work with TfL sits within a broader portfolio of NFC and RFID-enabled solutions. The company’s technology underpins secure identification and ticketing systems across multiple sectors, positioning it well for continued growth as demand for smart card and contactless solutions expands globally.

Read more at https://www.paragon-id.com/en/inspiration/paragon-id-strengthens-strategic-partnership-with-transport-for-london

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At the heart of MIFARE DUOX is a dual cryptography engine that combines elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) with AES-256 symmetric encryption. This pairing allows the chip to handle both PKI-based authentication and fast symmetric session encryption without needing separate security elements. For system integrators, that means simpler key management and fewer components in the signal chain.

The security credentials are serious. MIFARE DUOX carries Common Criteria EAL 6+ certification across both hardware and software layers, placing it among the most rigorously evaluated contactless ICs on the market. It also includes a Proximity Check feature designed to defeat relay attacks, along with Transaction Signature capability that cryptographically proves the authenticity of each NFC transaction.

For the EV charging sector specifically, NXP has developed dedicated “MIFARE DUOX EV” part types that ship with a preinstalled EV charging application, a ready-made file structure, and preinjected key material and certificates. These parts support user authentication compliant with VDE-AR-E 2532-100, the German standard for NFC-based EV charging identification. The authentication uses ECDSA-256 with the brainpoolP256r1 curve and SHA256 hashing, and crucially, smart card certificate validation happens in the online backend system rather than in the NFC reader firmware at the charging station itself. This simplifies the reader hardware and reduces the attack surface at the point of use.

The chip is built for harsh environments, with an operating range of -40°C to +105°C, making it suitable for outdoor charging infrastructure and automotive applications. It is also compliant with ISO/SAE 21434 for automotive cybersecurity and follows MISRA-C coding standards.

Beyond EV charging, MIFARE DUOX supports a flexible file system architecture that allows applications to be installed after the card has been issued. A single NFC-enabled smart card can host multiple applications from different service providers, covering corporate access control, EV charging authentication, user authorization, and loyalty programmes. This multi-application capability could reduce the number of physical credentials that end users need to carry.

“In fast-growing verticals like EV charging authentication or secure car access, we’re enabling the industry to reduce the complexity of key distribution and management, without compromising on contactless transaction speed or product versatility,” said Andre Perchthaler, Senior Director, MIFARE at NXP.

The launch positions NXP to compete in the growing intersection of NFC technology and electric vehicle infrastructure, where secure and standardised authentication is becoming a critical requirement as public charging networks expand across Europe and beyond.

Read more at https://www.nxp.com/company/about-nxp/newsroom/NW-NXP-SIMPLIFIES-NFC-SECURITY-WITH-MIFARE

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The investigation was triggered after Brazil’s Central Bank and Febraban, the country’s influential banking lobby group, asked CADE to examine whether Apple unfairly limits third-party payment providers from accessing the iPhone’s NFC hardware while giving preferential treatment to Apple Pay.

Apple has pushed back on the allegations. The company argues that it charges fees for its services in line with Brazilian law and points to its relatively modest 10% share of Brazil’s smartphone market as evidence that it does not hold a dominant position. Apple also highlights that third-party developers gained access to iPhone NFC capabilities starting in 2024, suggesting the market is already well served with payment options.

A key thread in the investigation involves PIX, Brazil’s hugely popular instant payment system launched in 2020. PIX has become a cornerstone of everyday transactions in Brazil, with most users relying on QR codes to make payments. However, the Central Bank has also developed a contactless protocol for PIX that would allow tap-to-pay transactions using NFC. While Google adopted this protocol on Android devices, Apple has so far refused to integrate it, viewing the contactless PIX protocol as non-essential.

This refusal has drawn scrutiny from regulators. Apple also appears to be sidestepping classification as a “Payment Transaction Initiator” under Brazilian regulations. That designation would bring interoperability obligations and place the company under direct Central Bank supervision, potentially forcing Apple to open up its NFC stack to competing payment services on more equal terms.

The case echoes similar regulatory battles Apple has faced in other markets. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act forced Apple to open iPhone NFC to third-party payment apps in 2024, and regulators in Japan and South Korea have pursued comparable measures. Brazil’s investigation adds another front to the growing global push for NFC interoperability on Apple devices.

For the contactless payments industry, the outcome could have significant implications. If CADE determines that Apple’s NFC restrictions are anticompetitive, it could mandate open access to the iPhone’s Secure Element and NFC controller, reshaping how mobile payments work across Latin America’s largest economy.

The March 30 deadline will be a critical moment. Apple’s response will likely shape whether CADE proceeds with formal enforcement action or accepts the company’s arguments that its current approach is both lawful and pro-consumer.

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