Centrapay
Centrapay is a New Zealand-based, API-first payments infrastructure company that connects merchants to digital wallets, Open Banking rails, loyalty points, and tokenized assets via QR-code payments, serving retailers, asset issuers, and developers across New Zealand through its platform and Payap consumer app.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Centrapay does
Centrapay is a New Zealand-based payments infrastructure company that operates an API-first platform connecting merchant commerce systems to digital wallets, Open Banking payment rails, loyalty points, digital gift cards, and tokenized assets via QR-code-based payment flows. The core technology is a RESTful API (Richardson Maturity Model level 2) with webhook-driven settlement automation, a JavaScript SDK for e-commerce popup checkout, and pre-built integrations across the dominant NZ payment terminal providers (Verifone, Windcave, Invenco, Sektor/Pax, Eftpos Central, Shift4/Smartpay) as well as POS systems (Beamy, GK POS, Ontempo, SalesPoint) and e-commerce platforms (Shopify, Blackpepper). The product surface comprises the Centrapay Platform and API, the Payap consumer mobile app, the Nomad point-of-sale solution, the Centrapay Business Portal for merchant management, and add-on modules for digital tokens and third-party loyalty programs.
The company operates a two-sided marketplace model: on one side, retailers accept payments via QR codes and Open Banking rails (BNZ, ASB, Westpac), bypassing traditional card-network fees; on the other, asset issuers and brand loyalty programs issue digital tokens spendable across the merchant network. Revenue is generated through three documented streams — transaction processing fees on each merchant payment, monthly platform access/subscription fees, and fees charged to merchants for third-party loyalty program services — with surcharging on Payap transactions explicitly prohibited. Go-to-market is hybrid: API-first developer acquisition via docs.centrapay.com and the JavaScript SDK, self-serve onboarding through the Centrapay Business Portal, direct enterprise sales for custom API integrations, and channel distribution through terminal OEMs, POS resellers, and the Shopify App Store. Geographic focus is exclusively New Zealand, with headquarters at Shed 10, City Works Depot, 77 Cook Street, Auckland, and headcount reported at 101–250 employees under legal entity Centrapay Limited (NZ private limited company).
Centrapay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Centrapay
- Legal name
- Centrapay Limited
- Website
- https://centrapay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Centrapay is a New Zealand-based, API-first payments infrastructure company that connects merchants to digital wallets, Open Banking rails, loyalty points, and tokenized assets via QR-code payments, serving retailers, asset issuers, and developers across New Zealand through its platform and Payap consumer app.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Centrapay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Payment Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- QR Code Payments Wallets (FSAMAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- POS, SoftPOS & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure (FSAGABAO), QR Code & Alternative In-Store Acceptance (QR, APMs) (FSAMADAH), Merchant Acquiring & Processing Platforms (BPAMAFAB), Crypto Merchant Acquirers & PSPs (Payment Service Providers) (FSADAIAB)
Keywords
Where Centrapay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Centrapay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transaction Processing Fees: Merchants pay transaction fees for processing payments through the Centrapay network. The company charges Merchant Fees as notified through Service-specific terms, with Payap Service Fees calculated monthly and payable on the 15th of the subsequent month.
- Platform Subscription/Fees: Monthly platform access fees for merchant services. Fees are deducted via direct debit, payment from bank account, or net settlement arrangement. All fees are GST exclusive per Payap Merchant Terms.
- Third Party Loyalty Program Services: Fees charged to merchants for using third party loyalty programs and promotions through the Payap Services. Fees notified through Centrapay Business Portal and as otherwise agreed.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Transaction-based pricing with no surcharges permitted |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels3 records
Centrapay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Centrapay operates an API-first payment network that connects merchants' existing commerce systems (terminals, POS, e-commerce) to digital wallets, brand loyalty points, gift cards, tokens, and Open Banking rails. Merchants accept payments via QR codes or direct API integration, bypassing traditional card network fees. The platform supports multiple asset types (NZD wallets, loyalty points, gift cards, tokens) and is distributed through terminal providers, POS partners, Shopify, and a self-serve merchant portal.
Product overview
Centrapay operates as a universal payment network (platform-plus-modules architecture) that connects existing commerce systems to digital wallets, tokens, and alternative payment methods. The core offering consists of the Centrapay Platform, which provides API-first payment infrastructure enabling merchants to accept QR-code and digital wallet payments. Payap is the consumer-facing mobile application powered by Centrapay. The product portfolio includes developer tools (Centrapay API, JavaScript SDK), merchant management (Business Portal), point of sale (Nomad), and value-add modules (Digital Tokens, Loyalty Programs). The platform supports multiple payment rails including Open Banking via BNZ, ASB, and Westpac, as well as various terminal integrations and e-commerce platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Payap: A branded mobile application that facilitates payment instructions from Payap users' linked accounts to merchants. Enables QR code payments, loyalty rewards, and Open Banking transactions via BNZ, ASB, and Westpac.
Products and services
- Centrapay Platform
Companies that use Centrapay
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Centrapay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
Feature6 records
Centrapay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ShopifycoreOfficial Shopify app integration enabling Payap payments on Shopify e-commerce stores. Merchants can install the Centrapay app from the Shopify App Store and activate Payap as a payment method with QR code checkout functionality.
- Eftpos Central GroupcoreTerminal integration partner providing F210, F310, F360, and M200 payment terminals compatible with Centrapay QR code payments. Integrated mode enables merchants with these terminals to accept digital payments.
- InvencocoreTerminal integration partner providing G6-300, G6-400, and G6-500 payment terminals with Centrapay QR code payment support.
- SektorcoreTerminal integration partner providing Pax 6650, Pax A3700 Tablet, Pax A50, Pax A77, Pax A901s, Pax A920 Max, Pax A920 Pro, Pax Aries 6, Pax E600 Mini, Pax IM30, and Pax XA35 terminals with Centrapay integration.
- VerifonecoreExtensive terminal integration with Verifone devices including CM5 Flat, M400, M424, M440, P400/P400 Plus, P630, T650C, T650M, T650P, T660P, UX700, V200T, V205C, V210, V240M, V400, V400C, and VX690 terminals.
- WindcavecoreTerminal integration partner providing CHU200M, CHU200MP, CHU200T, CHU200TL, CHU200TP, IPP350, IWL252, IWL25C, LANE3000, MOVE5000, and MTM300 terminals with Centrapay QR code support.
- BNZ (Bank of New Zealand)coreOpen Banking partner enabling quartz.nzd asset type for BNZ customers to make payments via Payap through Open Banking rails. Also supports quartz-one-off.nzd for BNZ App one-off payments.
- BlackpepperminorNew Zealand e-commerce platform partner enabling Centrapay/Payap payment integration for Blackpepper-built online stores.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Centrapay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PayPal: PayPal is a global digital wallet and merchant acquiring platform whose QR/barcode payment codes are even integrated with Centrapay's scanned-codes API. Comparable as a digital wallet and merchant acceptance provider, though operating globally with consumer wallet scale Centrapay lacks.
- Visa Direct: Visa Direct enables account-to-account push payments via card rails, competing with Centrapay's Open Banking direct-from-bank payment value proposition. Comparable as a near-real-time alternative payment rail targeting merchant checkout, though backed by Visa's global network and brand.
- Verifone: Verifone is a global payments hardware incumbent whose terminals are integrated with Centrapay. Comparable as an in-store acceptance infrastructure player, but Verifone's broader portfolio spans many geographies and acquirer relationships.
- Alipay: Alipay is the global leader in QR-code-based mobile payments and digital wallet acceptance. It is directly comparable to Centrapay's core QR payment rail and digital-wallet acceptance model, but operates at vastly larger scale as a broad incumbent rather than a niche NZ-focused network.
Regional players
- Eftpos Australia: Eftpos is Australia's domestic debit network with QR-code acceptance expansion, comparable to Centrapay as a regional low-cost alternative-payment network pursuing open-loop QR adoption, but operating across Australia rather than NZ.
- Afterpay (Block): Afterpay is an Australia/NZ-headquartered fintech operating alternative payment methods at retail checkout. Comparable as a regional alternative-payments disruptor targeting the same NZ/AU merchant base, but focused on BNPL rather than QR/open banking rails.
- Windcave: Windcave is a New Zealand-headquartered payment processor and terminal manufacturer that is simultaneously a Centrapay integration partner and a regional competitor offering merchant acquiring and POS hardware in the same NZ market Centrapay serves.
Direct peers
- Adyen: Adyen is a global unified payments platform offering merchant acquiring, gateway, and POS/payment processing through a single API — directly comparable to Centrapay's API-first infrastructure and merchant acquiring model, although Adyen serves global enterprise merchants rather than NZ SMBs.
- Stripe: Stripe provides payment APIs, hosted checkout, and developer-first payment infrastructure for online merchants — closely comparable to Centrapay's API-first developer-centric GTM, JavaScript SDK, and Shopify integration model.
- Block (Square): Block operates a hardware POS-plus-software payments ecosystem (Square) with QR and wallet acceptance at the point of sale. Comparable to Centrapay's Nomad POS offering and QR-code retail payment flows, though at much larger SMB scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Centrapay social profiles
Digital presenceCentrapay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Centrapay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Centrapay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Centrapay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Centrapay
What does Centrapay do?
Centrapay operates an API-first payment network that connects merchants' existing commerce systems (terminals, POS, e-commerce) to digital wallets, brand loyalty points, gift cards, tokens, and Open Banking rails. Merchants accept payments via QR codes or direct API integration, bypassing traditional card network fees. The platform supports multiple asset types (NZD wallets, loyalty points, gift cards, tokens) and is distributed through terminal providers, POS partners, Shopify, and a self-serve merchant portal.
Is Centrapay a public or private company?
Centrapay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Centrapay founded?
Centrapay was founded in 2019. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Centrapay based?
Centrapay is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Centrapay make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Transaction Processing Fees are the primary driver. The others are platform Subscription/Fees and third Party Loyalty Program Services.
Who are Centrapay's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PayPal, Visa Direct, Verifone and Alipay. Regional players are Eftpos Australia, Afterpay (Block) and Windcave. Direct peers are Adyen, Stripe and Block (Square).
Does Centrapay have an API?
Yes. The Centrapay API is a RESTful web service (Richardson Maturity Model level 2) that enables merchants and developers to integrate digital payment capabilities. It supports authentication via API key or JWT, uses JSON payloads with application/json content type, and includes webhook notifications for payment events (payment-request:paid, payment-request:refund-initiated, payment-request:refund-completed). Some API features may be flagged as experimental and subject to change without warning. The API base URL is https://service.centrapay.com/api. Developer documentation is at docs.centrapay.com/api/introduction.
What industry is Centrapay in?
Centrapay's product category is Payment Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMAEAC, QR Code Payments Wallets, with a secondary code of FSAGABAO, POS, SoftPOS & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 52232 and its SIC code is 6199.