Originally Posted by
motytrah
They are related. They are both "smart cards" systems. Some systems still use the original contact based spec (ISO/IEC 7816) However, most systems have converted or are converting to ISO/IEC 14443 contactless spec.
Sure, the technology is related.
Their use is not related. The chip cards becoming widespread in Europe have to do with Chip/PIN systems that require the entry of a PIN to authorize the transaction. That is completely unrelated (in some ways the opposite of) the chips that are being embedded in some US cards that enable the use of contactless readers for payment.