Bitcoin payments are undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of Numo’s innovative tap-to-pay point-of-sale app. This new application allows merchants to accept Bitcoin transactions in a manner akin to popular services like Apple Pay and Google Pay, all while eliminating the need for additional hardware. The app is available for free as an open-source Android download, with plans for a release on the Google Play Store in the near future.
At the heart of Numo’s functionality lies Cashu, an open-source ecash protocol designed for Bitcoin. Utilizing the NFC capabilities that are standard in most Android devices, Numo enables a seamless checkout experience. When a customer wishes to make a payment, their Cashu wallet interacts with an NFC tag that is emulated by the merchant’s device, facilitating a swift exchange of a payment token. This entire process is completed in mere seconds, ensuring a user-friendly experience that mirrors the convenience of tap-to-pay systems.
Bitcoin payments as easy as tapping your phone
Numo has been thoughtfully crafted with merchants in mind. Payments are settled in Cashu ecash, which is securely held on a mint. Merchants have the option to set an automatic withdrawal threshold; once their balance surpasses a specified amount, funds are automatically transferred to their Lightning address, minimizing the need for manual oversight. This feature is designed to enhance treasury management while maintaining the principles of self-custody.
In addition to facilitating Cashu payments, Numo also supports Lightning invoices via the Lightning Network, making it compatible with any Lightning-enabled Bitcoin wallet. This dual functionality significantly broadens its appeal, catering to both ecash users and those who prefer standard Lightning transactions.
The app is equipped with a variety of features, including built-in inventory management, payment history tracking, offline payment support, and tipping options. Furthermore, integration with BTCPay Server is currently in the works, which could further enhance its attractiveness to merchants who utilize self-hosted Bitcoin payment systems. Notably, Numo imposes no platform fees, allowing merchants to retain the full value of each transaction.
Operating under the MIT license, Numo is fully open source and benefits from the support of OpenCash. The development team emphasizes their commitment to simplicity, stating, “Bitcoin payments should be as easy as tapping your phone. Numo makes that a reality today, on any NFC-enabled Android device.” As competition intensifies among Bitcoin-native payment solutions, Numo’s hardware-free and open-source model may resonate with merchants seeking an economical and self-sovereign alternative to conventional payment systems.
Cashu, the underlying ecash protocol, employs blind signatures to facilitate privacy-preserving custodial payments without necessitating alterations to the Bitcoin base layer. By connecting independent mints over the Lightning Network and integrating programmable token scripts, Cashu aspires to provide users with a more private and flexible option compared to traditional custodial wallets.
