Bre-B vs. Pix: Colombia’s New Instant Payment System Outpaces Brazil’s Milestone

Colombia has launched Bre-B, a new instant payment system designed to modernize the country’s financial infrastructure and reduce its heavy reliance on cash. Developed under the leadership of the Banco de la República, the system functions as a public digital rail, providing an open and interoperable platform that connects banks, fintechs, and users in real time.

The system began full-scale nationwide operations on October 6, 2025, following a pilot phase that commenced on September 23, 2025. Bre-B is modeled after the blueprint of Brazil’s Pix system, incorporating core features such as immediate settlement, 24/7 availability, and interoperability across different financial institutions.

Rapid Adoption and Financial Inclusion

Early adoption figures indicate a significant shift in the Colombian payment landscape. According to the Banco de la República, more than 30 million people registered to use Bre-B at its launch, representing 76% of the country’s adult population. The system surpassed 100 million registered keys within its first six months of operation.

This rapid uptake is contrasted by the low penetration of traditional credit instruments in the region. Reports from the central bank and World Bank data show that only 18% of Colombians have access to credit cards, one of the lowest rates in Latin America. This figure has remained stable since 2022, while the preference for electronic transfers has continued to grow.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Integration

To integrate the system into the global economy, EBANX, a technology company specializing in cross-border payments for emerging markets, has partnered with MOVii, a Banktech providing issuing and acquiring infrastructure. This partnership allows global merchants to offer Bre-B as a payment method to Colombian customers from the start of its operations.

EBANX serves on the advisory committee of Colombia’s central bank and has positioned the system as a catalyst for the digital economy. Eduardo de Abreu, VP of Product at EBANX, stated that Bre-B is a game-changer for Colombia’s digital economy, just like Pix was for Brazil.

Challenges to Scaling and Implementation

Despite the strong start, industry observers suggest that technological design alone will not guarantee the same transformative impact seen with Pix in Brazil. A primary concern involves the implementation strategies used by financial institutions.

Marcela Torres Córdoba, General Manager at Nu Colombia, has pointed to structural issues, specifically bank-imposed limits, that could potentially hinder the adoption of Bre-B. The ability of the system to scale will depend on ecosystem alignment and the user experience provided by the participating banks.

Beyond initial registration, the next phase of development for Bre-B involves expanding its utility to include more complex financial flows. Key challenges include integrating the system to facilitate immediate payments for salaries and remittances.

Regional Context and Objectives

Bre-B was developed in coordination with the financial sector and drew inspiration from both Brazil’s Pix and India’s UPI. The primary objectives of the infrastructure include:

• Facilitating transfers between different financial entities.
• Reducing the overall cost of transactions.
• Promoting the formalization of the Colombian economy.
• Expanding access to financial products for the broader population.

By establishing a public infrastructure for real-time, low-cost digital transactions, Colombia aims to displace cash and card-based transactions in a manner similar to the transition observed in the Brazilian market since 2020.