Transactions through Bangladesh Bank’s interoperable Bangla QR payment system have increased nearly fivefold in value in just 90 days, as the central bank steps up efforts to expand digital payments and accelerate the country’s transition towards a cashless economy.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan disclosed the figures at a press conference at the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh Bank, the number of Bangla QR transactions has increased around 3.5 times since July 1, while transaction value has risen nearly fivefold.
Customers of banks and mobile financial services (MFS) providers can currently make payments through their mobile applications by scanning Bangla QR codes at nearly 39 lakh merchants across the country.
In 2026, an average of around 1 lakh Bangla QR transactions were conducted daily, with a total value of more than 28 crore taka. Over the past 90 days, daily transactions have increased to around 3.5 lakh, while their value has reached approximately 140.54 crore taka.
Weekly transaction value has also risen to nearly 1,000 crore taka, according to a presentation delivered at the press conference.
Bangladesh Bank made Bangla QR mandatory from July 1, replacing proprietary QR codes with a common interoperable standard that allows customers of different banks, MFS operators and payment service providers to make payments through a single QR system.
Arif said the initiative is part of the central bank’s broader strategy to bring financial transactions into formal digital channels.
“Every financial transaction should leave a digital footprint,” he said.
He said Bangladesh’s informal economy is estimated at around $750 billion to $800 billion and that bringing a larger share of this activity into formal digital channels could help the country move towards its ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
A formalised and digitally traceable economy could also boost international investor confidence and help attract foreign direct investment (FDI), he said.
Bangladesh Bank has taken several measures after reviewing Bangla QR’s performance during the first three months of mandatory implementation.
From October 1, all Bangla QR-based payments will be treated as eligible merchant transactions, while additional measures will be introduced to encourage merchants to accept digital payments.
Payment proceeds will be credited to merchant accounts instantly, accompanied by an audio notification on the merchant’s mobile device.
The central bank will also remove the 1% MDR floor for acquiring institutions from October 1 and set the issuing institution’s interchange reimbursement fee (IRF) at zero.
The move is expected to reduce the cost of Bangla QR payments for merchants, allowing banks and MFS providers to offer the service at no charge or at a lower charge, depending on their pricing arrangements.
For Bangla QR transactions through the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) of up to 2,000 taka, Bangladesh Bank will provide incentives to acquiring and issuing institutions from October 1. The measure is intended to encourage greater use of Bangla QR for small-value payments.
Bangladesh Bank will introduce person-to-person (P2P) Bangla QR transactions from November 1.
Under the facility, customers will be able to scan another customer’s Bangla QR code or upload a QR image through a compatible mobile application to make an interoperable fund transfer.
The system will eliminate the need to save a recipient’s phone number for one-time payments, including small transactions such as restaurant tips.
Bangladesh Bank is working with relevant government ministries to expand Bangla QR into several high-volume public service sectors.
In healthcare, the system could be used for digital payment of tickets at outdoor counters of public hospitals, helping address problems related to cash handling and the availability of small change.
In education, Bangla QR is planned for school fee collection, as well as payments at school canteens and stationery shops.
The central bank is also working to expand digital payment facilities in the transport sector, including toll collection at major bridges such as the Padma Bridge, with the aim of reducing congestion at toll plazas.
Bangladesh Bank has introduced mechanisms to ensure that customers receive refunds quickly when Bangla QR transactions fail.
The central bank issued guidelines on September 27 to ensure transaction-related disputes are resolved more quickly and effectively.
Customers can also contact Bangladesh Bank’s 16236 hotline to lodge complaints regarding Bangla QR transactions.
Arif said the objective is to establish a universal interoperable digital payment system bringing banks, MFS operators such as bKash, Nagad, Rocket and Upay, and payment service providers under a common framework.
The central bank expects wider adoption of Bangla QR to reduce dependence on cash, formalise economic activity and create a more integrated digital payment ecosystem as Bangladesh moves towards a cashless economy.