Nordic Nations Plan Offline Payment Systems Amid Security Threats

Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia are jointly developing offline card payment systems to ensure financial transactions can continue during internet or power outages, particularly in response to recent unexplained damage to undersea cables and infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. These initiatives are driven by increased geopolitical tensions, especially the war in Ukraine, and concerns over potential sabotage—which Western intelligence agencies have linked to Russia, though Moscow denies involvement. The planned systems will employ terminals that can securely store encrypted transaction data offline until connectivity is restored, allowing commerce to persist even during prolonged disruptions. With Nordic societies relying heavily on electronic payments—only about 10% of Finns primarily use cash—officials stress the urgency of resilient backup solutions. The move also reflects a broader push to diversify payment infrastructure and reduce dependence on U.S. companies like Visa and Mastercard. Sweden aims to implement its offline system by July 2026, with similar efforts underway across the region.