Bitcoin payments are undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of Numo’s new tap-to-pay point-of-sale app. This innovative solution allows merchants to accept bitcoin in a manner akin to established digital payment systems such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and it does so without the need for any additional hardware.
Currently available as a free, open-source Android app via a direct APK download, with a version anticipated to launch on the Google Play Store shortly, Numo is built upon Cashu, an open-source ecash protocol specifically designed for Bitcoin. By leveraging the Near Field Communication (NFC) functionalities already integrated into most Android devices, Numo facilitates a seamless transaction process. During a customer’s checkout, a Cashu wallet interacts with an NFC tag that is emulated by the merchant’s device, sending back a payment token within moments. This enables a smooth experience that mirrors familiar tap-to-pay transactions.
In addition to supporting Cashu payments, the Numo app is also compatible with Lightning invoices via the Lightning Network, allowing it to work with any Bitcoin wallet equipped for Lightning transactions. This dual functionality enhances its versatility, catering to both ecash users as well as those who use standard Lightning transactions.
Numo is intentionally designed with merchants in mind, offering functionalities tailored to their needs. Payment settlements occur in Cashu ecash held on a mint. Merchants can set an automatic withdrawal threshold, ensuring that once their balance hits a specified amount, the funds are swept directly to their own Lightning address without any manual effort. This streamlines treasury management and affirms self-custody principles. The app further includes features such as inventory management, payment history tracking, offline payment capabilities, and even tipping functionality.
For those already using self-hosted Bitcoin payment infrastructures, Numo’s integration with BTCPay Server is in development, promising to enhance its attractiveness among merchants. Notably, Numo operates with zero platform fees, enabling merchants to retain the entire value of each transaction. The project is fully open source under the MIT license and has received backing from OpenCash.
The Numo team stated their commitment to simplifying Bitcoin transactions, asserting, “Bitcoin payments should be as easy as tapping your phone,” which the app accomplishes on any NFC-enabled Android device. As competition intensifies within the Bitcoin payment landscape, Numo’s hardware-free, open-source model positions it as a compelling option for merchants seeking a cost-effective, self-sovereign alternative to conventional payment systems.
Cashu, the foundation of this new payment solution, is designed specifically for Bitcoin and allows for privacy-preserving custodial payments through the use of blind signatures—effectively ensuring privacy without necessitating changes to the base layer of Bitcoin. Additionally, Cashu connects independent mints via the Lightning Network and incorporates programmable token scripts, aiming to provide users with a more private and adaptable alternative to traditional custodial wallets.
