Johannesburg – September 15, 2026 -- Tongxin Microelectronics (TMC TONGXIN MICRO) unveiled its THD89 payment chip series and E450R open-architecture security chip at Seamless Africa 2026, held September 8-9 in Johannesburg, positioning the Chinese semiconductor firm deeper into Africa's digital finance and identity infrastructure market.
THD89 becomes first China-developed chip to secure CC EAL6+ certification
The THD89 payment product line is used in smart payment cards compatible with UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard and JCB networks, protecting transactions for hundreds of millions of cardholders globally.
E450R chip built on RISC-V hardware gains traction with Chinese state banks
The E450R, described by TMC as the world's first open-architecture security chip, combines open-hardware RISC-V with the OpenPlatform software architecture. State-owned and joint-stock banks in China have already deployed tens of millions of units built on the chip.
Secure microcontroller series clears PCI PTS 7.x and UnionPay UPTS 3.0 standards
TMC's secure MCU series meets global PCI PTS 7.x payment standards and UnionPay's UPTS 3.0 requirements, enabling deployment across smart POS systems, mPOS terminals, fingerprint-recognition USB security keys, U-Keys and integrated MIS terminals in domestic and international financial equipment markets.
Identity solutions tested by FIME protect over 1 billion citizens worldwide
TMC's identity portfolio, which underwent testing by global security test laboratory FIME, spans contactless modules, dual-interface modules, inlays, complete cards and passport booklets for national ID cards, e-passports and digital driver's licenses. The company states the technology has secured digital identities for more than 1 billion citizens globally.
Company has shipped 27 billion chips across 24 years of operation
TMC TONGXIN MICRO has delivered more than 27 billion chips worldwide for financial payment and national identity applications since its founding, with the company citing ongoing contributions to Africa's digital economy and identity security infrastructure.