Smart Bits: High-Security Visa Card For Emerging Markets

Visa International publicly demonstrated Copac, the Chip Off-line Pre-Authorized Card, which it plans to introduce in Russia by yearend.

Designed for emerging markets that are modernizing payment systems but lack cheap and extensive telecommunications, Copac involves building high levels of security into the chip and transmitting details of transactions to the bank periodically from merchant terminals.

The Visa Roskart will be issued by Moscow-based Inkombank. The initial rollout will be in St. Petersburg; Visa expects Copac to be available worldwide in 1998.

Anne L. Cobb, president of Visa's Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, said the card offers security against overspending and fraud and will appeal to populations with little banking history or experience in payment cards.

"We have identified more than 50 countries where it will be appropriate," said Ms. Cobb, who demonstrated the card by using it to buy a T-shirt during a Sept. 11 press conference in New York.

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