WebMoney Payment System Overview and Features

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WebMoney is a popular online payment system that has been around since 1998. It was founded by Dmitry Grachev and Maxim Nogotkov.

WebMoney allows users to make transactions in various currencies, including the US dollar, euro, and Russian ruble. This is made possible by its multi-currency system.

One of the key features of WebMoney is its use of digital wallets, which store users' funds securely. This allows for easy and convenient transactions.

WebMoney has a large user base, with over 30 million users worldwide. This includes individuals, businesses, and organizations.

If this caught your attention, see: In-Car Payment System

Account Management

WebMoney account management is designed to be user-friendly and secure. You can easily manage your accounts online, 24/7, from anywhere in the world.

To create a new account, you'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, and password. This information is verified through a simple registration process.

Once your account is set up, you can easily manage your balances, transfer funds, and monitor your transactions. WebMoney's secure servers ensure that all your transactions are safe and protected.

Broaden your view: What Is Webmoney

Sign-up Process

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The sign-up process for managing your account is straightforward. You'll start by confirming your phone number via SMS-code payment confirmation.

To begin, you'll receive an SMS code, which you must input to proceed. This is a secure way to verify your identity.

Transaction security is a top priority, and WebMoney takes this very seriously. You'll be able to rest assured that your information is protected.

The SMS code will be sent to you, which you must input in the following step. This is an important part of the verification process.

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Login

Logging into your WebMoney account is a straightforward process. Simply go to the WebMoney website.

To access your account, click on the "login" button. This will take you to a page where you can enter your credentials.

Enter your phone number or email address to begin the login process. This is the first step towards accessing your account.

Next, enter your password to authenticate your identity. Make sure to enter it correctly to avoid any issues.

Curious to learn more? Check out: B of a Mobile Banking App

Credit: youtube.com, Step 1: Login and Account Management

You'll also need to enter the number from the pictures, a security measure to ensure your account's safety. This adds an extra layer of protection.

Alternatively, you can scan your QR code to log in quickly and easily. This is a convenient option available on the login site.

Whether you choose to enter the number from the pictures or scan your QR code, you'll be ready to access your account in no time.

WM-Identifiers

When you register in the WMT system, you'll receive a random 12-digit WM-identifier, known as a WMID. This is a unique code, like 123456789012, that's yours alone.

You can create multiple WM-wallets, each with its own unique identifier. The wallet number consists of a letter indicating its type and 12 digits, such as Z123456789012 for a Z-wallet.

The WMT service verification website allows you to find the WMID owner by wallet number, but not the other way around.

Payment System

Credit: youtube.com, How to pay for services: webmoney

WebMoney offers a wide range of payment options, making it a convenient choice for users.

You can link your VISA/MasterCard bank cards, as well as electronic wallets in systems like Yandex.Den'gi, Qiwi, and EasyPay to your WebMoney account.

The system also supports Apple Pay, allowing you to top up your WebMoney account using this service.

In 2019, Sberbank Russia integrated with WebMoney, enabling instant transfers using just a phone number.

WebMoney has also been connected to the Bank of Russia's fast payment system, allowing users to send and receive money instantly.

As of 2020, WebMoney users in Russia can transfer rubles to 38 participating banks using just a phone number.

What is a Payment Card

A payment card is a type of card that allows you to make payments online or offline. It's a convenient way to use your electronic money without having to physically withdraw cash.

You can get a payment card from your bank, but a payment card from WebMoney is different because it's deeply integrated with the WebMoney system. This means you can make payments directly from your WebMoney purse without needing to link it to your bank account.

From above crop anonymous female in casual sweater taking credit card from wallet and lying on bed with laptop before making online purchase
Credit: pexels.com, From above crop anonymous female in casual sweater taking credit card from wallet and lying on bed with laptop before making online purchase

One type of payment card is the virtual card, which has all the details you need to make payments, but it doesn't have a physical medium. This can be a good option if you want to keep your card details safe and secure.

Another option is a "tangible" payment card, such as Maestro and MasterCard for residents of the Russian Federation, or UnionPay, VISA and MasterCard holders for wallets WMZ and WME. These cards can be used in any store, and the money is deducted from your WebMoney purse, not your bank account.

A unique perspective: Ach Bank Payment

What Additional Services in Payment System

The WebMoney payment system offers a wide range of additional services that make it a versatile and convenient platform for managing your finances.

You can protect your account from unauthorized access through the Security service, which is designed to safeguard your account from potential threats.

The Assessment center is another important service that stores, validates, and issues certificates, ensuring the security and authenticity of transactions.

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Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a senior adult handling a card and smartphone for online payment.

The E-num service provides an additional check on entry and confirms transactions, adding an extra layer of security to your financial operations.

The Banking service is responsible for interacting with banks, making it easier to manage your funds and conduct transactions.

The Paymer service allows you to work with WM-checks, providing a convenient way to manage your finances and make payments.

Here are some additional services that WebMoney offers:

  • Exchanger - a sharing service that allows you to exchange funds without commission, with rates set by the parties themselves.
  • Capitaller - a service that enables joint management of wallets, capitalized savings, investments, and share distribution.
  • Debt service - a service that allows participants to directly take on each other's debt on mutual trust terms.
  • Credit Exchange - a full-featured service to extend credit, with official loan agreements.

Account Funding Options

You have several options to fund your WebMoney account, depending on your location and preferences. One way is to use a payment terminal, which can be found in most locations and allows you to enter your credentials and make a cash payment.

To fund your account, you can also call a bank branch and fill in a payment order, as long as the bank is a partner of WebMoney. Online banking is another option, which requires you to transfer money from your account with the same conditions as using a payment terminal.

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Credit: pexels.com, Young African American woman with braided hair making an online payment using laptop and credit card.

You can also use a point of remittances from one of the networks that work with WebMoney, which can be found on the official website of the system. Another option is to add a mobile account or use a scratch card, which is a prepaid card sold in many distribution points.

If you have a card from a bank that supports this operation, you can attach it to your WebMoney wallet, as well as electronic wallets in systems like Yandex.Den'gi, Qiwi, and EasyPay. However, some banks, like "Русский Стандарт" and "Открытие", have stopped cooperating with WebMoney.

Here are the common ways to recharge your account for most currencies:

  1. Use a payment terminal.
  2. Call a bank branch and fill in the payment order.
  3. Use online banking to transfer money from the account.
  4. Contact the point of remittances one of the networks.
  5. Add mobile account.
  6. Use a scratch card.
  7. "Print" received from another party paymer-check.
  8. Use automatic exchanger.

Payment System Usage Locations

You can use the WebMoney Payment System in a variety of online stores that accept it as a payment method. For example, in the Buysellvouchers online marketplace, you can buy and sell different types of e-products and goods with WebMoney.

Low angle side view of positive young female entrepreneur in formal wear using laptop and performing online payment with credit card while sitting at table at workplace
Credit: pexels.com, Low angle side view of positive young female entrepreneur in formal wear using laptop and performing online payment with credit card while sitting at table at workplace

WebMoney Keeper's Android app allows you to add bank accounts using your 3D-secure technology, making it easy to pay for services like the Internet, mobile communication, and online gaming.

More and more online stores are starting to accept WebMoney as a payment method, giving you even more flexibility when making purchases online.

You can also use your bank card or WM card to make a deposit, making it easy to get started with the WebMoney Payment System.

Security and Protection

WebMoney employs a variety of security procedures to ensure that each user is safe. All transaction data is encrypted using 128-bit encryption to provide the best level of security.

Two-factor verification is also available on the mobile app, requiring users to enter a code received by SMS on their mobile devices in addition to their email and password.

VideoID, a new video identification technology, was launched in 2019. Users can utilize VideoID to verify their identification by exhibiting a national identity document on a smartphone or webcam.

Close-up of hands holding a green credit card for an online purchase using a laptop, depicting secure transactions.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of hands holding a green credit card for an online purchase using a laptop, depicting secure transactions.

This form of verification is faster than going to a registrar or a WebMoney verification center.

WebMoney offers several security services, including:

  • Security - protect your account from unauthorized access.
  • Assessment center - stores, validates and issues certificates.
  • E-num - provides an additional check on entry and confirm.
  • Banking - is responsible for interaction with the banks.
  • Paymer - service to work with WM-checks.

WebMoney also provides additional opportunities for exchange and beneficial use of its funds, including:

  • Exchanger - sharing service. In contrast to exchange points, acting without a commission, with the rate set by the parties themselves, participating in an exchange.
  • Capitaller - allows you to jointly manage wallets, capitalized savings, to invest, to distribute shares between the parties and so on.
  • Debt service - provides participants the opportunity to directly take in each other's debt on terms of mutual trust.
  • Credit Exchange - a full-featured service to extend credit (unlike Debt service each loan agreement is confirmed by an official).

WebMoney provides several methods of user authentication, including:

  • Using files with secret keys (WM Keeper WinPro).
  • Using personal digital certificates (WM Keeper WebPro).
  • Using login and password, with two-factor authentication often used - additional confirmation with a verification code sent by SMS, or through the E-Num service, generating one-time passwords.

For WM Keeper WinPro and WM Keeper WebPro, there is also the option to block by IP, allowing the Keeper to only work with computers with IP addresses within a previously specified range.

Fees

Fees are a crucial aspect of using WebMoney, and it's essential to understand what you'll be charged for various transactions.

The good news is that there's no payment for receiving WM units, so you won't be charged for incoming transactions.

Transferring money from your WebMoney purse to your bank account incurs a 6% charge, which is a significant fee to consider.

The fee for sending WM units is 0.8% of the transaction amount, with a minimum charge of 0.01 WM, making it a relatively low-cost option for small transactions.

Consider reading: 0 Apr Visa Credit Cards

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However, the maximum charge for sending WM units varies depending on the purse you're using, with some limits set at 50 WMZ, 50 WME, or 9,000 WMK.

WebMoney also charges a commission for certain services, including WebMoney Processing, which ranges from 1.5% to 2.5% of the bank wire cost plus turnover.

Additionally, there's a 1% commission for WebMoney Settlements, with a maximum price of $1,000 USD/Euro, and a 0.1% commission for credit transactions with WMD wallet holders, but not less than 0.01 WMZ.

It's worth noting that some transactions, such as those between identical wallets with the same WM-identifier or between participants with an attestation of at least the initial level, are exempt from the commission fees.

Integration and Automation

WebMoney offers seamless integration with various systems and banks, allowing users to link their VISA/MasterCard cards, as well as electronic wallets in systems like Яндекс.Деньги, Qiwi, and EasyPay.

You can also use Apple Pay to top up your WebMoney wallet, a feature that became available in October 2016.

Close-Up Shot of a Person Taking Orders Through Order Terminal
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The integration with Sberbank Russia's instant transfer system was announced in February 2019, enabling users to send and receive money using just a phone number.

WebMoney was also connected to the Bank of Russia's fast payment system (СБП) in January 2020, allowing users to send and receive money to and from 38 participating banks.

The system also offers automatic payment processing through Merchant WebMoney, which streamlines transactions for online sellers.

Capitaller, another service, provides collective management of wallets and funds for groups of users, with features like automatic budgeting and payment tracking.

Other automated services include Mass Payment for bulk transactions and WebMoney Mentor for task management and payment optimization.

Additional reading: Value Transfer System

Integration with Other Systems

WebMoney has integrated with various systems to make transactions easier. The system allows users to link their VISA/MasterCard cards from supported banks, as well as electronic wallets from Yandex.Dengi, Qiwi, and EasyPay.

In the past, WebMoney was also linked to co-branded cards from Russian Standard and Open Bank, but this partnership was discontinued in 2014. This change was likely made to focus on more modern and efficient payment methods.

A Person Paying Cashless
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Paying Cashless

Users can now also top up their WebMoney wallets using Apple Pay, a service that was introduced in 2016. This feature is convenient for those who already use Apple Pay for other transactions.

In 2019, Sberbank Russia partnered with WebMoney to enable instant transfers using only a phone number. This integration made it easier for users to send and receive money.

In 2020, WebMoney was connected to the Bank of Russia's fast payment system (SPB), allowing users to send and receive money instantly to and from 38 participating banks. The calculation bank for WebMoney's ruble wallets was Bank KBK.

Automatization

Automatization is a game-changer for businesses and individuals alike. Merchant WebMoney offers automated payment processing for goods and services through its website.

With Capitaller, you can enjoy collective wallet management and automatic funds distribution among group members. This service integrates seamlessly with Shareholder, allowing for easy "budget automaton" management.

Mass Payment is a service that enables fast and efficient processing of large numbers of similar or periodic payments, including those to service providers like internet access, mobile phone, and TV services.

WebMoney Mentor is a platform for task organization, execution, and payment tracking. It allows clients to post tasks, specify executors and controllers, set task prices, and automate payment processing upon task completion and verification.

Juridical Status and Certificates

A Person Swiping A Credit Card to the Payment Terminal
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WebMoney's legal status is a bit complex, but essentially, it's managed by WM Transfer Ltd, a company with a mysterious owner. The official website doesn't reveal the jurisdiction or ownership, but it's registered in Lithuania through a company called DEED BALTIC.

The system's technical support and software development are based in Russia, while the main certification center is located in Moscow. Interestingly, each type of wallet (WMZ, WME, WMK, WMG, and others) has its own guarantor, which is a registered company in a different country.

Here's a breakdown of the guarantors:

  • WMZ: Amstar Holdings Limited, Hong Kong
  • WME: Netec Financial Ltd., UAE (previously WebMoney Europe Ltd.)
  • WMK: TOO "Germes Garant Group", Kazakhstan
  • WMG: SantiKa Business Group Inc, Singapore
  • WMX, WMH, WML, WMF, WMT: INDX Transactions Ltd, Hong Kong

From a legal standpoint, WebMoney's certificates are considered financial assets, not electronic money, allowing for legitimate transactions and sales. However, this means that the system operates outside of bank regulations and the Federal law on the national payment system.

Additional reading: Faster Payment System

Juridical Status

WebMoney's legal status is complex, with various entities involved in its operation. The system is owned and administered by WM Transfer Ltd, but its jurisdiction and owners are not publicly disclosed.

Adult man using tablet and credit card to shop online at home, sitting by table with coffee.
Credit: pexels.com, Adult man using tablet and credit card to shop online at home, sitting by table with coffee.

The technical support and software development for WebMoney are located in Russia, with the main certification center also based in Moscow. This is an interesting aspect, as it highlights the global nature of the system.

The guarantors for each type of wallet (currency) are separate legal entities registered in different countries. Here's a breakdown of the guarantors for each type of wallet:

  • WMZ is guaranteed by Amstar Holdings Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong.
  • WME is guaranteed by Netec Financial Ltd, a company registered in the UAE.
  • WMK is guaranteed by the payment organization TOO "Germes Garant Group", registered in Kazakhstan.
  • WMG is guaranteed by SANTIKA BUSINESS GROUP INC, a company registered in Singapore.
  • WMX, WMH, WML, WMF, and WMT are guaranteed by INDX Transactions Ltd, a company registered in Hong Kong.

From a legal standpoint, WebMoney's e-wallets are considered financial assets, not e-money, in many jurisdictions. This is because they can be lawfully bought, sold, or transferred, but their transfer is not considered a monetary transaction.

WebMoney's operation in Russia is not subject to banking regulations or the Federal Law "On the National Payment System". Instead, it is regulated by laws related to the circulation of securities and other financial instruments.

A fresh viewpoint: E Banking Online

Certificates: How to Obtain One

To obtain a certificate in WebMoney, you'll need to meet certain criteria. The type of certificate you can get depends on your status within the system.

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Credit: pexels.com, Person using computer for online payment with credit card.

If you're a merchant or engaged in trade and business, you can get a Merchant certificate. Similarly, if you're an organization that provides calculations within the system, you can get a Passport calculation machine certificate.

For individuals, the options are different. If you want to participate in the system of transactions, you can get a Passport Capitaller. If you're a specialist, you can get a Developer Certificate. If you want to engage in the registration of new members as your main activity, you can get a Registrar passport.

There are also certificates for services that cooperate with WebMoney, such as a Passport service certificate, and for owners of funds that provide capital for operations, such as a Certificate of GARANT.

To get a certificate, you'll need to go through the verification process. This involves selecting the Tools menu, going to the procedure for obtaining a certificate, downloading a copy of your passport, and waiting until it's inspected (typically takes a day or two).

If this caught your attention, see: Merchant Bank Id Credit Card Authorization

Perfect Money vs Other Systems

Side view of crop faceless male passenger sitting on backseat and using credit card reader to pay for trip in taxi
Credit: pexels.com, Side view of crop faceless male passenger sitting on backseat and using credit card reader to pay for trip in taxi

WebMoney is one of the most popular payment systems in the world, founded in 1998, and has already passed the test of time.

Its unique feature is that it doesn't seek to hold money, but rather titular characters - special units that represent ownership of certain assets.

The titular units are electronic analogs of world currencies, including the hryvnia, rubles, dollars, and euros, which can be freely converted in both directions.

You can enter real money into the system and bring it back out, making it a convenient option for international transactions.

The system has been around for over two decades, giving it a level of credibility and trustworthiness that's hard to match.

Its ability to handle multiple currencies makes it an attractive option for those who need to make international payments.

Transfer and Withdrawal Options

You can transfer WebMoney to anyone, anytime, using the WEBMONEY TRANSFER System. This system allows you to receive WebMoney from other members, transfer any amount to another member, and even get information about your transaction history.

Online Shopping
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With the protected message exchange service in WEBMONEY KEEPER, you can harmonize the terms of a transaction in text format. This is a convenient feature that helps you communicate with other members.

To confirm your status as a holder of title units (WM), the authenticity of your WM is verified at the WEBMONEY Transactions Certification Center. This is an important step to ensure the security of the system.

Availability of authentic WM in your WEBMONEY KEEPER is the unconditional evidence of your right to the WM. This means you can trust that your WebMoney is secure and legitimate.

You can withdraw WebMoney from your wallet using various options, including bank cards, bank accounts, e-wallets, and other payment methods. To do this, go to the withdrawal page and select the WebMoney purse in the desired denomination.

Here are the available WebMoney withdrawal options:

  • Postal transfer (not the fastest way, relevant for rubles and hryvnia)
  • Bank card (for partner banks in terms of profitable and the translation is done in seconds)
  • Issuing a bank transfer (need to fill in the details, the application is processed by the operator of the bank)
  • Through remittances
  • Through the exchange office "WebMoney" (unfortunately, there are no such items in each city, but it is nevertheless possible to use online exchange offices)
  • A virtual card "WebMoney"

You can also use an exchange office to quickly and easily convert your WebMoney to another currency or payment system. This option may have a slightly higher commission, but it's often the most convenient way to make an exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WebMoney available in the US?

WebMoney is not available in the US due to regulatory restrictions. Learn more about the MSB rule and prepaid access rule that led to this decision.

Which countries use WebMoney?

WebMoney is available in over 25 countries worldwide, including Argentina, Australia, and many others. Check our website for a full list of supported countries and to learn more about using WebMoney internationally.

How does WebMoney work?

WebMoney stores electronic money in a "purse" backed by a global network of guarantor companies that hold the underlying assets. This secure system enables fast and reliable transactions.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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