Manama: stc pay Bahrain, Bahrain’s innovative and accessible mobile wallet for digital financial transactions, has announced the launch of stc pay Secure Approve, an advanced in-app transaction authentication feature for online card payments. With this release, stc pay becomes the first financial technology provider in Bahrain to allow customers to review transaction details and approve online payments directly within its mobile application, replacing traditional SMS and email One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
The initiative addresses growing security challenges associated with traditional OTP verification methods, which can be vulnerable to interception, phishing, and SIM swap fraud. Unlike standard codes, stc pay Secure Approve provides complete transparency by displaying the exact merchant’s name and transaction amount in real time. Customers can then securely confirm or decline the payment using their established in-app credentials and device security.
“At stc pay, security must be both robust and seamless. This update ensures that our customers do not simply enter a numerical code but rather maintain full visibility over their transactions before authorization occurs. Being the first to introduce this capability in Bahrain underscores our position as the region’s most advanced digital wallet and reinforces our commitment to driving innovation built on user trust,” Metin Zavrak, Chief Executive Officer of stc pay, said.
The feature is currently live and requires no action or opt-in from users. It will apply automatically during the next online purchase made using a stc pay card.
By eliminating reliance on external messaging networks and providing clear transaction visibility, stc pay continues to strengthen its digital financial infrastructure, offering consumers across Bahrain a safer, faster, and more transparent digital payment experience.
