Google in talks to buy mobile-payments company Softcard: Report

Google is in talks to buy mobile-payments company Softcard, technology news website TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal could help pair Google with the largest US wireless carriers to battle Apple and its new Apple Pay service, TechCrunch wrote.

The deal may be valued below $100 million, the report said citing sources. Softcard is jointly owned by AT&T, Verizon Communication’s Verizon Wireless Inc and T-Mobile US.

Google was not immediately available for comment outside regular US business hours.

“We do not comment on merger speculation,” said a Softcard representative.