Why Apple Pay Is Now Blocked At CVS

Read original story on: LA Times

Initially supporting, Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy abruptly pulled support for Apple Pay after a week of smooth operation. According to various sources, the odd move is most likely a result of the retailers’ involvement with the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) consortium. The consortium is currently building CurrentC, a rival system to the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that Apple Pay deploys. Will Apple be influential enough to make CVS and Rite Aid switch side again? Only time will tell.

Update: Apple has reportedly blocked Apple Pay for CurrentC in response. Round 1 is officially on.

Update #2: MCX surrenders as CEO Dekkers Davidson says that the CurrentC exclusivity deal that blocks Apple Pay will expire within “months, not years”, giving its members an easy way out.