The UK has increased the amount at which consumers merely need to tap to pay without entering a PIN code from £10 (US$15.08) to £15 (US$22.63).
That remains below comparable purchase limits in North America and Europe for contactless and probably just barely covers a typical meal in some of the quick-service restaurants and other establishments in London where banks are targeting contactless, among other places.
Even given this and the fact the British pound continues to fall in value, the higher contactless ceiling is significant. Among those leading the cheers yesterday for the announcement was Barclays bank, whose hopes for contactless and NFC payment continue to rise.