TechCrunch Startup News Handwave lends a hand to retailers with its European alternative to Amazon’s palm payments
Aug 4, 2025
A Latvian startup is shaking up the retail landscape with a groundbreaking biometric payment system that utilizes palm recognition. Discover how this innovative technology aims to rival Amazon's dominance in the market. The founders share insights into their funding journey and the partnerships that are aiding their growth. Plus, learn about their strategic approach to navigating the European regulatory environment, positioning themselves as a formidable alternative.
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Handwave's Palm Payment Opportunity
- Amazon One has popularized palm payments with over 8 million uses across Amazon and Whole Foods stores.
- Handwave aims to compete as an independent alternative focused on third-party retailers in Europe.
Advanced Palm Scanning Tech
- HandWave's palm payment tech requires hand presence verification beyond static images, like vein pattern analysis.
- It aims to replace cards, apps, fingerprints, and facial scans including for age and loyalty verification.
Price as a Competitive Advantage
- HandWave builds hardware and algorithms in-house to offer palm payment devices cheaper than competitors.
- Pricing competitiveness came after financial partners demanded this to gain market acceptance.