MasterCard now testing a credit card with fingerprint sensor

Once an advanced technology, the fingerprint reader is now present in most mid-range handsets, but MasterCard is already testing a credit card with a built-in fingerprint sensor. 

The card is currently being tested in South Africa and the idea behind it is very simple - instead of using a PIN code or a signature, its user employs the embedded fingerprint sensor to scan the fingerprint and authorize payments. To make its adoption easier, MasterCard made this new card fully compatible with existing chip-and-PIN readers. Although older terminals that can only read magnetic stripes cannot use the card, store owners and businesses with chip-and-PIN readers do not need any new hardware to support the new card.

MasterCard revealed that the trial is scheduled to extend to Asia Pacific and select European markets in the coming months. While a global rollout is expected for later this year, US customers will only get the new card in early 2018 - if everything works as planned, of course.