Apple will open the contactless payments technology on its iPhone to third-party developers in multiple countries, following regulatory pressure from authorities in the US and EU. Developers will have access to Apple’s NFC chip, which powers its tap-to-pay features, in the beta version of its new operating system, iOS 18.1.
"The feature will also be made available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, “with additional locations to follow."
https://www.ft.com/content/1a5e0141-41e8-4239-b2ec-64fec51b7b59