Fitbit is finally getting into ‘true’ smartwatch business with Ionic. Not only will it support third party apps, but also will have a new Fitbit Pay platform, based on its acquisition of wearable assets of Coin. The company has struck deals Visa, Mastercard and American Express to bring NFC payments to its new Ionic smartwatch.

The payments over NFC using the Ionic will be allowed even without a phone. Ionic owners in more than 10 countries will be able to add Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards through deals with banks including ANZ, Banco Santander, Bank of America, Capital One, HSBC, OCBC, Royal Bank of Canada, UOB and US Bank. Users can feed their card details in the Fitbit companion app. Transaction can then be done just by tapping the watch contactless terminals around the world. The transactions will be secured through the Visa and Mastercard token services.

Jon Oakes, VP, product management, Fitbit, says: “We’re focused on delivering the features that add that right level of utility to our users, so they can focus on reaching their health and fitness goals. Fitbit Pay lets you make payments on the go directly from your wrist with Fitbit Ionic, adding convenience to your life and the ability to leave your smartphone and wallet at home.”