Move over Google Wallet, Visa Europe, and all others moonlighting as mobile payments providers: online deals giant Groupon wants a piece of the pie.

According to a report on VentureBeat, Groupon is testing a mobile credit-card reader for U.S. markets. Its main hook? A 1.8 per cent transaction fee and a 15 cent per transaction charge for transactions processed through the terminal, substantially less than what its competitors charge.

Groupon is also offering an iPod Touch and card reader to merchants free of charge, rather than just the typical free card.

Groupon representatives could not be reached for comment at press time.

If the report is true, it's unclear how the mobile payments system would fit into Groupon's business. Groupon is mainly known as a daily-deals provider, providing discounted products, services and experiences to users who sign up for its emailed offers.

If the new venture is a success in the States, it is likely to make its way to the U.K. and Europe in the future, where NFC-based payment technology is rapidly starting to be rolled out.

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