An e-wallet is a tool for storing and managing financial resources on the internet. With it, users make purchases, transfer money, pay bills, and much more. Users must create an account using personal information and a linked bank account or credit card. After that, they can top up their wallet via the internet using a credit card, bank transfer, or other available payment methods.
The main idea of e-wallets is to provide a convenient and secure way to store money that is not dependent on a person's physical location. E-wallets are often used for currency exchange and transfers between countries, making them particularly convenient for people who frequently travel or work abroad. E-wallets are not tied to bank schedules and can be used at any time. Payment services also offer favorable commissions compared to traditional banking services, making them more attractive to customers.
The most popular type of e-wallet is the mobile wallet. They are available through smartphone apps and are used for contactless payment thanks to NFC technology. Examples of such tools include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Some e-wallets also support cryptocurrencies. These wallets are used for storing cryptocurrency and for conducting transactions between users. And classic online wallets like PayPal allow transactions to be conducted using email and use PayPal accounts for online purchases.
However, it is important to understand that e-wallets are not without risks associated with payment security. Users must be careful when using e-wallets, safeguarding the confidentiality of their payment information, passwords, and personal information.
