MasterCard will release open APIs (application programming interfaces) and launch a portal for developers so that they can create e-payment applications.
The portal will have technical information, software development kits, sample code and testing sandboxes, as well as a discussion forum where MasterCard officials and external developers can interact.
A new group called MasterCard Labs is in charge of the Open API program. Interested developers can write to api@mastercard.com to obtain more information. Developers will go through a registration and approval process in order to participate.