Key Points
- The Digital Yuan (Shuzi Renminbi 数字人民币) “tap-to-pay” pilot has rapidly expanded to the entire Shanghai rail transit network, covering 896 kilometers, 21 lines, and 517 stations.
- This widespread rollout occurred less than a month after the initial pilot launched on the Shanghai Maglev Line on June 14, 2025.
- The system supports cross-institutional interoperability and allows payment with Digital Yuan hard wallets (IC cards, SIM cards, Mobile Payment, wearables), even without network connection or phone power.
- It’s a significant improvement for foreign visitors as Digital Yuan hard wallets can be acquired and topped up at terminals, and are not linked to personal identity for privacy.
- This initiative is part of China’s broader push to expand Digital Yuan use cases, with other cities like Qingdao and Suzhou also integrating e-CNY hard wallets for public transit.
The Digital Yuan (Shuzi Renminbi 数字人民币) just scored a massive win in one of the world’s biggest cities.
On June 28, 2025, the “tap-to-pay” pilot for China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) expanded to the entire Shanghai rail transit network.
Passengers can now fly through subway gates across Shanghai simply by tapping their Digital Yuan hard wallet.
This includes IC cards, SIM cards, or even mobile payment devices like a Phone Pay wallet.
From Maglev Pilot to Full Network Rollout in Under a Month
This move was incredibly fast.
The initial pilot just launched on June 14 on the famous Shanghai Maglev Line, the world’s first commercial maglev line.
It was a collaboration between a roster of heavy hitters:
- Shanghai Metro
- China UnionPay (Zhongguo Lianhe Caijie 中国银联)
- Bank of Communications (Jiaotong Bank 交通银行)
- Visa (Weisa 维萨)
- Mastercard (Wanshida 万事达)
- American Express (Meiguo Yunton 美国运通)
- The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Digital Currency Operations Agency
Officials said they’d consider expanding based on the results. Less than a month later, they’ve rolled it out across the whole system.
And Shanghai’s metro system is no joke. We’re talking about:
- 896 kilometers of operating mileage
- 21 lines
- 517 stations
- Handling over 77% of the city’s daily public transport ridership
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How the Digital Yuan “Tap-to-Pay” Works on the Metro
The tech behind this is designed for pure speed and convenience.
The “tap-to-pay” function supports cross-institutional interoperability.
This means you can use a Digital Yuan hard wallet from any of the approved operating institutions to ride the metro. No being locked into one bank’s ecosystem.
The system supports various forms of Digital Yuan hard wallets:
- IC cards
- SIM cards
- Mobile Payment (Phone Pay) solutions
- Wearable devices
One of the biggest features? It works even if your phone has no network connection or power.
Shanghai’s pilot uses an “enter-to-consume” model. The turnstile quickly verifies your card or wallet and lets you through, completing the actual deduction after you’ve already entered. No waiting.
A Game-Changer for Foreign Visitors and Locals
This rollout is a massive quality-of-life update, especially for international travelers.
Anyone who has visited China knows that digital payments, while dominant, can be tricky to set up without a local bank account.
The Digital Yuan hard wallet system sidesteps this problem beautifully.
Foreign visitors can quickly apply for and top up a wallet at self-service terminals at airports, train stations, and hotels.
Crucially, these hard wallets are not linked to the user’s personal identity, a feature designed to protect the privacy of international visitors.
A market analyst noted, “This initiative not only provides strong support for optimizing Shanghai’s business environment but also plays a vital role in attracting international tourists and invigorating urban vitality.”
It’s also a big win for elderly and student populations who might prefer a simpler, card-based payment method.
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This Isn’t Just a Shanghai Story: China’s Broader e-CNY Push
While the Shanghai rollout is grabbing headlines, it’s part of a much larger, coordinated push across China to expand Digital Yuan use cases.
Other major cities have already integrated e-CNY hard wallets for public transit, including:
- Qingdao Metro
- Suzhou Metro and public buses
- Hainan public buses
Provincial governments are also getting creative:
- Shanghai: The city is leaning into its role as a global finance hub. A new action plan supports local banks participating in the Multi-Central Bank Digital Currency Bridge (mBridge) project, exploring cross-border CBDC applications.
- Shandong: The provincial government plans to expand Digital Yuan scenarios by encouraging more government benefit funds and subsidies to be disbursed in the digital currency.
- Zhejiang: The commerce department is pushing for “Digital Yuan + Debut Stores” pilots, aiming to make payments more convenient at new flagship and brand launch locations.
- Qingdao: Metro
- Suzhou: Metro and public buses
- Hainan: Public buses
The Hurdles and The Path Forward
Of course, the road to mass adoption isn’t without bumps.
As one analyst stated, “Currently, the Digital Yuan still faces challenges such as user habit cultivation and cross-border interoperability.”
The key takeaway, however, seems to be that real-world testing is the solution.
The same analyst concluded, “The practice of scenario innovation has proven that only by combining the authority of legal tender with the flexibility of scenario demands can the Digital Yuan’s maximum value be unleashed.”
This massive, real-world deployment on the Shanghai Metro is a powerful statement and a major step in building out the future of the Digital Yuan.
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