Originally Posted by tmiw

The available data shows that Apple Pay/NFC really isn't being used all that often thus far. Since NFC isn't required by the liability shift, getting merchants a (possibly very slightly) cheaper terminal without that functionality may very well get them to switch to EMV more quickly. They can always sell merchants a PIN pad with NFC support that connects to the iCT220 later on, or possibly a NFC-only reader if the US ends up sticking with chip and signature for the long haul.

That said, it is pretty scummy to do things that way since you're basically making merchants pay 2x the money they would have spent otherwise.

BTW, are merchants grandfathered in if they buy a terminal before its certification expires? If so, for how long?