Well, I haven't been there recently, but I have been doing some research online and it appears to be completely mainstream in the far East to use (non-crypto, as of yet) mobile payment solutions instead of using cash or a bank account debit card.
But seriously, a World Traveler like yourself hasn't heard about these mobile payment solutions in Asia? Did I seriously just now introduce you to this phenomenon? It's YUUUGE! ;-)
RE: Thoughts on China’s forthcoming Digital Yuan