Your anecdote about adoption of chip+PIN+stored_value in the EU is interesting, and we still don't really have chip+PIN (ISO 7816) in the US. However, you might

Your anecdote about adoption of chip+PIN+stored_value in the EU is interesting, and we still don't really have chip+PIN (ISO 7816) in the US. However, you might be surprised that in the US we do have contactless POS devices (NFC-ISO 18092, ISO 14443) at McDonalds, Jack in the Box, most transit terminals, Regal theaters, 7-elevens, among other locations. The idea of having one chip that resides in your phone is appealing compared to carrying several cards with embedded ICs. And, since the US has skipped the whole chip+PIN phase, this will be the technology that brings IC-based payments to the US. Imagine landing at an airport, virtually checking-in, and having your hotel room key sent to your phone which can then be used to open your hotel room without ever going to a front desk. That is something a simple card can't do.