China’s lead over the US in mobile payments is also the result of the lack of other viable options for non-cash payments. Credit card penetration in China is small compared to that of developed markets, while online payments with debit cards are cumbersome — usually requiring authentication through a combination of SMS messages, USB dongles and random code generators. By contrast, payment with Alipay or WeChat is much more streamlined and requires only the scan of a QR code from a retailer’s point-of-service terminal or a smartphone.

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