The difference is that in most of the world, merchants are required to provide at least contact ("Chip+PIN") readers and as of a few years ago, fully support co

The difference is that in most of the world, merchants are required to provide at least contact ("Chip+PIN") readers and as of a few years ago, fully support contactless reading. It's only the US as a major environment that has delayed (and delayed) applying the same rules, or that adopted Chip+Signature in the first place.