Implementation of Biometric Age Verification for VTB Bank at FINOPOLIS 2025

Client

Challenge

For the second consecutive year, MST delivered innovative payment solutions showcased by VTB Bank at FINOPOLIS, Russia’s premier fintech exhibition. In 2025, the featured innovation was Biometric Age Verification.

Age recognition systems are already used worldwide. The unique aspect of this solution is that it is centralized and fully compliant with Russian legislation.

Customers who register their biometric data and link a payment method in the SBPay mobile app can now purchase age-restricted goods using biometrics.

Clients of any bank can confirm their age and make payments through any bio-acquirer connected to the Unified Biometric System (UBS) platform.

In addition to VTB Bank, the project involved: National Payment Card System (NPCS JSC), responsible for identification and payment processing, and Center for Biometric Technologies, developer of the Unified Biometric System

At FINOPOLIS, our solution was presented at two booths.

1. VTB Bank booth: an integrated setup combining a PC with POS software and a pin pad for biometric age verification, followed by payment through bio-acquiring.
2. NPCS booth: a standalone terminal capable of verifying a customer’s age and processing a biometric payment.

System Architecture

The architecture of biometric age verification and payment services was developed in cooperation with regulators, technology partners (NPCS and UBS), and relevant government agencies. This collaboration resulted in a secure and fully compliant system aligned with Russian law.

To introduce the new technology, we created a new transaction flow within the payment terminal and updated the bank’s internal infrastructure.

Since 2024, VTB Bank has been using our proprietary solution, the MST Bio Proxy adapter (Ministry of Digital Development registry No. 28024, May 6, 2025). It allows banks to implement biometric payments with minimal infrastructure changes.

Because MST Bio Proxy already supported biometrics, we expanded it to include age verification. We added support for updated VTB APIs, as well as APIs from NPCS and the Unified Biometric System.

This made MST Bio Proxy a universal platform for deploying biometric services in various sectors, including retail, gas stations, and vending networks.

At the same time, the VTB software team prepared the new terminal software for launch.

Equipment

VTB recently introduced its own signature blue payment terminal with a modern aluminum and plastic design. It stands out with its RGB lighting that reacts to transaction events and the JoinPOS software (Registry No. 24519, October 18, 2024).

Work on the terminal part began with support for the new device. This type of work was nothing new for us — over the past few years, we have integrated a wide range of POS equipment from different brands for our clients. The key feature of the new VTB terminal was the presence of an intelligent stand equipped with its own controller. After implementing additional API support, the stand became fully compatible with the terminal. In standby mode, the stand emits a soft white light and changes color based on transaction status.

Once the JoinPOS software was successfully launched on the new terminal, it was time to build the new transaction flow. First, we added support for new functionality in MST BIO Proxy, specifically for age verification. In accordance with the approved service interaction scheme, we also implemented a request to the Unified Biometric System (UBS) using national cryptography standards.

Next, we moved on to designing the new interfaces and assembling the final result. Since it had been decided from the beginning to showcase the solution at two booths — VTB Bank and NPCS — we had to ensure two different equipment operation schemes.

At the VTB booth, the terminal operated in integration mode with POS software. A request was sent from the POS system to the terminal. If the purchase included an item requiring age verification, the terminal triggered the corresponding age confirmation process. First, the screen prompted the user to consent to biometric age verification. If consent was granted, the terminal performed the age check. If the buyer met the required age, the payment was processed via biometrics. Otherwise, a message appeared informing that the buyer did not meet the age requirement.

At the NPCS booth, visitors interacted with a standalone terminal where the cashier entered the payment amount directly on the device. The system then asked an additional question: “Is age verification required?” If confirmed, the identification process described above began. If not, the standard payment process was initiated.

Exhibition

As always, FINOPOLIS brought together a large number of participants and visitors, along with panel sessions and discussions featuring leaders of the financial sector.

On the opening day of FINOPOLIS 2025, our solution was demonstrated to Elvira Nabiullina, Chair of the Central Bank of Russia. Her delegation showed great interest and praised the project’s depth and implementation.

The VTB booth also drew strong media attention. Thanks to its innovative presentations, VTB continues to strengthen its position in the acquiring market, expanding its share across Russia. The booth was also visited by international delegations from several countries.

Conclusion

Developing biometric age verification with payment integration became a significant milestone for our company. A key achievement was completing the first biometric transaction in Russia with verified age, powered by JoinPOS software and the MST Bio Proxy adapter.

We sincerely thank our colleagues from VTB, NPCS, and the Unified Biometric System teams for their close and productive cooperation.

Although FINOPOLIS 2025 has ended, the technologies developed will continue to evolve. They have already become part of a new business stream focused on biometric solutions for specific industries. We look forward to sharing more updates soon and to seeing everyone at the next FINOPOLIS.