The debate over chip-enabled cards has been a chicken-and-egg issue in the U.S. for years.

WSJ: MasterCard Pins ATM Fraud on Owners

Apparently some UK scoundrels teamed up with a crooked gas station attendant to nab credit card numbers from RFID smart card-enabled credit cards.

ENGADGET: UK's ATM cards thoroughly trounced by ID thieves

American Express is now allowing card members to apply membership rewards points to their smartphone-enabled retail gift cards, then use them to instantly pay for purchases with their mobile device at select stores.

FORBES: Gift Cards Will Be The Hot Holiday Present As Mobile Cards Gain Popularity