China has launched new SIM cards with “super” capabilities that support central bank digital currency (CBDC) transactions and digital ID functions. The SIM cards were introduced by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and offer mobile phone users access to hardware digital wallets.
According to Globe Echo, the new SIM cards will allow for the integration of digital IDs and other credentials for authentication purposes. They can also function as CBDC hard wallets, providing users with the ability to make payments with digital yuan. This feature is particularly useful for students in middle and high school.
The SIM cards come equipped with NFC antennas, which enable digital ID scans. This solves the problem of Apple devices lacking support for the digital renminbi, as iPhones can’t utilize their NFC functionality. Additionally, the hard wallet feature supports offline transactions for payments and identity verification.
Aside from mobile phones, the SIM cards can be physically integrated with existing ID cards to digitize their functions, as reported by Globe Echo. Leading national telecom providers China Telecom and China Unicom have also linked the Super SIM card initiatives to the PBoC’s Digital Yuan App. This integration could potentially replace physical ID cards for student identification and hotel check-ins.
Overall, these new “super” SIM cards in China provide users with enhanced digital wallet capabilities, supporting CBDC transactions and digital ID functions. With the ability to integrate digital IDs and make offline transactions, these SIM cards offer a convenient and secure solution for mobile payments and identity verification.
