On Thursday, Softcard said in a website post that its carrier-backed mobile wallet platform will be shut down permanently on March 31, 2015. The company has also said in a recent email sent out to customers that all existing Softcard user accounts will be closed on March 31.

The news about the Softcard shutdown comes within weeks of the last-month acquisition of Softcard technology by tech giant Google. Since the Softcard mobile payments system underscores a rare joint venture involving Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, the Softcard technology will apparently be integrated by Google with the tap-to-pay capabilities of its Google Wallet system.

In the brief announcement of the imminent shutdown of the Softcard mobile wallet system, Softcard said in the post on its website, and also in the email, that "as of 3/31 your Softcard app will no longer work."

For Softcard customers who want to continue using a digital wallet, the Softcard website now features a link to the Google Wallet mobile payment platform.

Meanwhile, with the acquisition of Softcard, Google has partnered with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile to pre-install the Google Wallet system on all Android devices - running Android OS 'KitKat' or higher versions - sold by the three carriers.