Sony has filed a patent application for technology that turns the DualSense controller into a payment gateway. The new system would allow users to purchase digital content by holding their smartphone, card, or cryptocurrency wallet directly up to the controller.
Sony has filed a patent application for technology that turns the DualSense controller into a payment gateway. The new system would allow users to purchase digital content by holding their smartphone, card, or cryptocurrency wallet directly up to the controller.
This was reported by Wccftech, citing analysts at Patentlyze. The patent application was filed back in March 2025 and published on September 17.
The technology involves using NFC, Bluetooth, or physical contact protocols to read data. According to the description, the gamepad will signal a successful connection using haptic feedback, light indicators, and sound.
“In response to receiving a message from the electronic device, a first message containing information about a payment method for the video game player is sent, and a second message is transmitted from the controller to the game console,” Sony’s patent documentation states.
In addition to simplifying the shopping process and reducing the number of incomplete transactions, the development should improve security. Users will not have to store bank card details, gift certificates or crypto wallets directly in their PlayStation Network account, which reduces the risks in the event of a data leak or account hack.
Experts suggest that this payment system is being developed with the PlayStation 5 and the upcoming PlayStation 6 in mind. This is in line with Sony’s global strategy of gradually transitioning to fully digital content distribution by 2028, which will allow the company to keep users in its own ecosystem and minimize the resale market for physical discs.
