Frankly, the number of people that care about no-phone functionality is tiny. I bet the greatest preference is the other way: the ability to use it without a physical card. Everyone has a phone.

Of course you need a backup at some point, but it’s just that: a backup.

The stated objective of this initiative is to break free of the American Mastercard/Visa duopoly. It would be pretty fucking stupid that if replacement required the use of the American Apple/Google duopoly!

Convenience of use with your phone is one thing. Requiring a (locked-down, attestated) phone to create an account is another thing entirely.

no doubt that is a top FEATURE request, but why do all this work to transfer the system from a US finance oligopoly to a US tech oligopoly?

Android and IOS are controlled by US companies. And both google and apple can ban you for no reason.

Touché! Freeing oneself from America is nearly impossible. Unless you’re China, probably.