I have heard “Did you just pay with your ring?” eleven times this week, and the answer every time has been “why yes I did just pay for that with my ring, It’s a Tapster payment ring, thank you for asking”.
Which leads to the next question of “How?”
Great question, thank you for asking it.
I have been reading about payment rings and their ability to let you pay for things with a tap of the ring for a while, and a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and bought one. Three weeks later I got an email saying “yeah we are closing down and issuing refunds for the cost of the ring and will transfer any balance back to you too”. I was gutted.
I am becoming increasingly anxious about having my phone out so much when I am in London and travelling on the Underground, so I thought this might allow me to keep my phone out of sight in my bag but still allow me to pay using the contactless pad for the tube. So I set about looking for an alternative provider and stumbled across Tapster.
The rings come in a huge range of sizes and are either made from ceramic, silver or wood. Delivery takes about a week before prior to ordering you are asked to set up an account with Curve (read how they work here) Curve isn’t a bank account, it’s an online wallet that is linked to a debit card or bank account. The reason for this is because Tapster’s payment system doesnt currently work with any UK banks, so this is a great work around. It also means, unlike the original ring I had, you dont have worry about topping up your ring’s account, linking it to a debit card means you are good to go with a ready balance just as you would be with your bank card.
It sounds complicated but it isnt really and is all fully explained on the Tapster website, read about it here. I have mine linked to a card that is not linked to my main bank account but to an account that has a maximum of about £100 in it. It gives me a level of security that my main bank account is still ring fenced but to be honest if you are using contactless on your phone anyway, this feels more secure.
Once your Curve account is set up you can input your account number as part of the Tapster ordering process so that as soon as your ring arrives the two are connected and you are good to go.
The ring works independent of your phone, bluetooth or wifi and doesn’t need charging. You can even get one that opens your car if you drive a Tesla.
If you want to keep a track of your spending you can do that in the Curve App (which also gives you cashback in selected shops.
Keep Your Phone Safe and Secure
As I said, one of the major advantages of Tapster is the ability to make payments without having to pull out your phone. If you’re concerned about the risk of theft, especially in busy public spaces, this is the perfect solution. By keeping your phone securely in your bag or pocket, you reduce the risk of it being stolen while still enjoying the convenience of contactless payments. Tapster allows you to pay quickly and safely, without any unnecessary exposure and nobody is going to see a ring on your finger and suspect it can be used to pay for anything.
Easy to Suspend if You Lose It
Losing something valuable is always stressful, but with Tapster, you have peace of mind. If you misplace it or know it is properly lost, suspending it is incredibly easy. Through the Tapster app, you can quickly freeze your ring, ensuring no unauthorized transactions can take place. And when you find it, reactivating it is just as simple. It’s security and control, right at your fingertips. You can also set limits on transactions so that anything over a certain amount requires a PIN
Use It Anywhere
Tapster is accepted anywhere contactless payments are available, meaning you can use it virtually anywhere in the world, not just in the UK. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, shopping for groceries, or using public transport, a simple tap with your Tapster gets the job done. No need to fumble with your wallet or phone—just seamless, hassle-free payments. Curve also dont charge you a transaction fee for payments abroad, even if your debit card/bank does which means you could save small amounts of money when using it abroad.
Versatile Uses for Every Situation
This versatility is one of its strongest features. Imagine your teenager heading out to buy some milk—you can simply hand them your ring and they’re ready to go. It’s ideal for situations where you don’t want to hand over your entire wallet or bank card.
Similarly, if you’re helping an elderly relative with their shopping, you can create a Curve wallet for them, link the Tapster payment ring and then use it to pay for their groceries. It’s a simple, safe, and convenient way to manage everyday expenses, ensuring your loved ones have what they need without any complications, you dont need their card, and they get a confirmation of the amounts spent too.
The Benefits at a Glance
- Convenience: Simplifies everyday transactions with a simple tap.
- Security: Not tied to a bank account, easy to suspend if lost.
- Versatility: Perfect for lending to others for small errands or purchases.
- Safety: Keeps your phone securely in your bag or pocket, reducing the risk of theft.
- Global Acceptance: Use it anywhere contactless payments are accepted.
What looks like an innocuous piece of jewellery is actually a major game changer that allows you to take contactless payments to the next level and to answer the question of “did you just pay for that with your ring?” with a solid “yes I ruddy well did”