Indonesia’s QRIS digital payment system is entering a new era of cross-border interoperability, with China and South Korea joining the network. This expansion strengthens Indonesia’s position as a regional fintech leader while enhancing convenience for travelers and microbusinesses alike. As QRIS adoption deepens domestically and abroad, it signals a broader shift toward seamless, inclusive, and contactless digital economies.
Key Facts & Background
- QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is Indonesia’s national QR code-based digital payment system, developed by Bank Indonesia (BI) to unify and streamline electronic transactions.
- As of Q3 2025, QRIS has reached 58 million users, with 41 million from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- The total transaction value via QRIS has surpassed Rp 1.9 quadrillion, reflecting its deep integration into daily commerce.
- QRIS is already interoperable with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan (outbound only for now).
- Cross-border QRIS trials (sandboxing) are underway with China and South Korea, with full implementation targeted by end of 2025 for China and early 2026 for South Korea.
- In Japan, Indonesian users can already transact using QRIS, while Japanese tourists in Indonesia are expected to gain reciprocal access soon.
- BI has also launched QRIS Tap, a contactless NFC-based feature that enables tap-in/tap-out payments for public transport in five Jabodetabek systems: KRL Commuter Line, Transjakarta, LRT Jakarta, LRT Jabodebek, and MRT Jakarta.
- QRIS Tap supports both fixed fare (single tap) and dynamic fare (tap in-tap out) models, enhancing user convenience.
- The QRIS Tap system is currently supported by 16 licensed payment service providers.
Strategic Insights
Indonesia’s QRIS expansion into China and South Korea marks a pivotal step in the country’s ambition to become a digital payment hub in Asia. By enabling cross-border QR code interoperability, Bank Indonesia is not only facilitating smoother transactions for travelers and businesses but also reducing reliance on traditional currency exchange and the U.S. dollar in regional trade.
This move aligns with broader trends in ASEAN financial integration, where real-time, low-cost, and interoperable payment systems are becoming essential infrastructure. The inclusion of China, a dominant player in digital finance, and South Korea, a tech-savvy economy, significantly boosts QRIS’s credibility and reach. It also opens the door for future linkages with India and Saudi Arabia, as BI has indicated, further embedding Indonesia in the global digital economy.
Domestically, QRIS has evolved from a retail payment tool into a multi-platform ecosystem, now extending to public transportation through QRIS Tap. This innovation reflects a strategic pivot toward mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) integration, where digital payments are embedded into urban infrastructure. The adoption of contactless NFC technology not only enhances user experience but also aligns with global standards in smart city development.
For MSMEs, which form the backbone of Indonesia’s economy, QRIS continues to be a game-changer. With 41 million MSME users, the system democratizes access to digital finance, reduces cash dependency, and improves financial inclusion. As QRIS becomes interoperable across borders, Indonesian MSMEs could eventually tap into regional tourism and e-commerce markets, accepting payments from foreign visitors with ease.