Together with Tools for Humanity (Worldcoin) and Qualcomm Technologies, we demonstrated the world's first palm biometric crypto payment at NRF Big Show 2026, combining seamless user experience with on-device security.
The live demonstration showcased an integration of palm biometric authentication, developed by Authsignal and Qualcomm Technologies, enabling security-focused payments with biometric verification. The demonstration seamlessly combines payment authentication with digital identity use cases like identity and age verification, transforming the retail experience.
How it works
The technology feels effortless from a user perspective. Users authenticate and authorize crypto transactions through the World App Wallet by presenting their palm. All biometric data stays securely on their device, never transmitted to external servers.
Authsignal, in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, has also developed proximity authentication capabilities that create a secure connection between payment terminals and users' devices. When a user approaches a payment terminal, the authentication request can be processed entirely on their phone using locally stored biometric data, reducing potential areas of attack for hackers. Additionally, the solution couples at least two authentication factors through device possession and biometric inherence, allowing to achieve multifactor assurance levels all in single customer interaction.
Why this matters for retail and beyond
It's powered by Authsignal's authentication platform and our new Authsignal Pay orchestration layer. By binding payment methods to verified digital identities and attributes like age and KYC status, it creates a future where:
- Security meets convenience: Palm biometrics offer superior accuracy compared to other biometric modalities while remaining completely touchless and hygienic.
- Privacy is preserved: By keeping biometric data on-device and utilizing decentralized identity principles, the system eliminates the risks associated with central repositories of sensitive information.
- Multiple use cases converge: The same palm scan that authorizes a crypto payment can also verify identity, confirm age, or grant access, all in one seamless interaction.
For retailers, this technology means faster checkout times, reduced fraud, and an enhanced customer experience. For financial institutions, it offers a pathway to implement cutting-edge authentication without replacing existing infrastructure. For venues and high-security facilities, it provides high assurance, frictionless access control.
Built on proven technology
This groundbreaking solution builds on Authsignal's core authentication platform, the technology leverages:
- Authsignal's authentication orchestration platform for seamless integration
- Authsignal Pay - An identity payments orchestration layer to bind payment methods to digital identities
- Qualcomm Technologies' hardware infrastructure and security framework for real-time, edge-based processing
- Tools for Humanity's World App Wallet technology for secure crypto transactions
The system can be integrated with existing payment and access control infrastructure, making adoption straightforward for organizations of any size.
Additionally, Authsignal's solution extends beyond palm biometrics to include high-assurance facial biometric matching, giving organizations flexibility to meet diverse use cases and regulatory requirements.
Real-world applications across industries
While the NRF demonstration focused on retail payments, the applications extend far beyond:
- Retail and hospitality: Enable secure, contactless payments that reduce friction at checkout while elevating the customer experience.
- Financial services: Provide customers with passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication for high-value transactions across omni-channel touch points
- Events and entertainment: Streamline entry with combined identity verification, age confirmation, and ticketing, all in a single touchless interaction.
- Corporate access: Provide employees with secure, frictionless building access that works across multiple facilities without physical credentials.
- Travel: Enable seamless journeys from check-in to boarding with biometric verification that confirms identity, validates tickets, and processes payments
"This is an exciting and groundbreaking development. When technology just fades into the background and creates a seamless customer experience, consumers will embrace it," said Justin Soong, CEO and Director of Product at Authsignal.
"Digital transformation in retail continues to advance at an unprecedented pace thanks to advances in AI and digital identity technologies," said Art Miller, Global Head of Retail IoT at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Together with Authsignal and Tools for Humanity, we're bringing security-focused biometric verification to the physical point of sale, enabling superior crypto payments."
“Retail is at a moment where payments need to be faster, simpler and more intuitive for both shoppers and merchants. This demonstration shows how palm authentication and digital assets can come together at the point of sale, and we’re excited to explore how proof of human can support seamless, trusted, privacy-preserving checkout experiences alongside Authsignal and Qualcomm,” said Ajay Patel, Head of World ID at Tools for Humanity, whose World App Wallet enables the crypto transaction in the demonstration.
Experience the future of authentication
Interested in bringing palm biometric authentication to your organization? Whether you're looking to modernize payments, enhance security, or create frictionless customer experiences, we'd love to explore how this technology can work for you.
Register your interest: Contact our team
Schedule a demo: Book a call with our team
Learn more: Explore our palm biometrics solution
The future of secure, seamless authentication is here, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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