Qris Criticized by US, Indonesians Pair Up
- DENPASAR – Indonesia's Speedy Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), a national QR code payment system, is facing scrutiny from the United States government, even as it garners widespread...
- government,through the Trade Representative Office (USTR),highlighted the payment system in it's National trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers,released in March 2025.
- companies, including payment providers and banks, have expressed concerns that international stakeholders were not adequately informed or consulted during the advancement of the BI QR Code policy.
QRIS Payment System Draws U.S. Scrutiny, Sparks Indonesian Support
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DENPASAR – Indonesia’s Speedy Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), a national QR code payment system, is facing scrutiny from the United States government, even as it garners widespread support within Indonesia.
U.S. Raises Concerns Over QRIS Policy
The U.S. government,through the Trade Representative Office (USTR),highlighted the payment system in it’s National trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers,released in March 2025.
The USTR report stated that U.S. companies, including payment providers and banks, have expressed concerns that international stakeholders were not adequately informed or consulted during the advancement of the BI QR Code policy. The report, as quoted by detikFinance on Monday, April 21, 2025, suggests these companies felt they lacked the chance to provide input on how the system could seamlessly integrate with existing international payment systems.
#Qris Trending as Indonesians Rally Behind Payment system
The U.S. government’s attention on QRIS has triggered a wave of support from Indonesian citizens,with the hashtag #Qris trending across social media platforms. Many users are voicing their support for the domestically developed payment system.
One user, @Ainunnajib, wrote, “If it gets GPN and Qris that makes Indonesia 🇮🇩 self-born sacrifice for the sake of ‘yes sir, thank you sir’ really omon-omon only” according to detikINET.
Another user, @notaslimboy, commented, “Qris is one of the Government Win in Indonesia. If you go to American, I don’t know anymore. the agenda deposited visa/master as possible…”
@habibienomics stated, “Qris and GPN must be non -negotiable. Domestic transactions should not need to involve foreign payments. The transaction in Indonesia, the account is Indonesia, the user is Indonesian, the money is rupiah, no need to pay the percentage abroad“
Other comments have described QRIS as a symbol of Indonesia’s digital sovereignty.
QRIS: A National payment Standard
Launched by Bank Indonesia (BI) on August 17,2019,QRIS (pronounced “Kris”) is a national QR code standard designed to unify the various QR codes from different Payment System Service Providers (PJSP).This integration allows users to make payments at any merchant displaying a QRIS code, regardless of their payment provider.
The implementation of QRIS is governed by PADG Number 24/1/PADG/2022, which amends previous regulations. The aim is to create a faster, easier, and safer domestic transaction surroundings.
Consumers can now use QRIS through various payment applications, including those offered by banks and digital wallets. By scanning the QR code at a store or restaurant, payments can be made without the need for cash or cards.
According to Bank indonesia, as stated on Sunday, April 20, 2025, “It is indeed enough to rely on the e-Wallet or mobile banking application on yoru smartphone, so you can make cashless payments practically and easily just by scanning barcodes in stores or restaurants.”
pandemic Fuels QRIS Adoption
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted the adoption of QRIS. The need for contactless payment options drove its rapid expansion.By the end of 2020, over 3 million merchants were using QRIS.
In 2021, BI introduced QRIS TUNTAS (cash withdrawal, transfer, and deposit), expanding the functionality of QRIS beyond payments to include cash withdrawals and money transfers.
By the end of 2023, the number of merchants using QRIS had surpassed 26 million, ranging from street vendors to large retail chains. The system also supports cross-border transactions, enabling foreign tourists to use their home country’s payment applications in Indonesia.
QRIS Goes International: Expansion Across Asia
The Indonesian government is actively expanding the use of QRIS internationally. Currently, QRIS is accepted in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo announced plans to expand QRIS to eight countries in Asia. These countries include Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, and the United arab Emirates.
Speaking at the BluePrint payment System Launching event at the Jakarta Convention Center on Friday,August 2,2024,Warjiyo stated,”We will first focus on 8 countries,namely in Asia,malaysia,Singapore,Thailand. Then the Philippines, but four other countries of Japan, South Korea, India, and the United Arab Emirates.”
Here’s a well-structured, SEO-optimized Q&A blog post based on the provided article content:
QRIS in Indonesia: A Deep Dive – The US Scrutiny, indonesian Support, and global Expansion
(Image: A visually engaging image, perhaps a collage showing the QRIS logo, people using QRIS, and a map highlighting its international expansion. Could also include a picture of Bank Indonesia’s governor.)
Introduction:
QRIS (Swift Response Code Indonesian Standard) is making waves. Launched by Bank Indonesia, this national QR code payment system is transforming how Indonesians pay. But what exactly is QRIS, and why is the U.S. government taking notice? in this Q&A,we’ll dissect everything you need to know about QRIS,from its origins to its global ambitions.
Q&A Section
Q: What is QRIS and how does it work?
A: QRIS (pronounced ”Kris”) is a standardized QR code payment system developed by Bank Indonesia (BI). It was launched on August 17, 2019, with the aim of unifying the various QR codes used by different Payment System Service Providers (PJSP). This means that, whether you’re using a bank’s app or a digital wallet, you can make payments at any merchant displaying a QRIS code. It simplifies the payment process, making it faster, easier, and safer for consumers and businesses.
Q: How is QRIS different from other payment methods?
A: Unlike traditional payment methods like cash or credit cards, QRIS utilizes QR codes. To make a payment, you simply scan the QR code displayed by a merchant using your smartphone’s e-wallet or banking app.The payment is then processed electronically. This method eliminates the need for physical cards and cash, offering a quick and convenient way to pay.The goal of unifying of the different QR codes from different banks into a single one provides a single payment ecosystem that is available everywhere.
Q: Why did Bank Indonesia create QRIS?
A: The primary goal behind launching QRIS was to streamline transactions and stimulate financial inclusion in Indonesia. Prior to QRIS, merchants ofen had to display multiple QR codes from different payment providers, which could be confusing and inefficient. QRIS simplifies this, allowing all payment providers to integrate under one standard, creating more accessible payment options at scale. The regulations are governed by PADG Number 24/1/PADG/2022, with the objective to create a faster, easier and safer domestic transaction surroundings.
Q: What’s the current level of adoption amongst merchants?
A: QRIS has experienced phenomenal adoption.By the end of 2020, over 3 million merchants were using QRIS. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, driving its rapid expansion due to the need for contactless payment methods. By the end of 2023, this number had skyrocketed to over 26 million merchants, ranging from small street vendors to major retail chains.
Q: Why is the U.S. government scrutinizing QRIS?
A: The U.S. government, through its Trade Representative Office (USTR), has expressed concerns about QRIS in its National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. The report suggests that U.S. companies, including payment providers and banks, felt that they were not adequately consulted or informed regarding the development of the QRIS policy.The worry is that this lack of consultation could impact the seamless integration of QRIS with existing international payment systems, essentially raising concerns about potential trade barriers.
Q: How have Indonesians responded to the U.S.scrutiny and to QRIS in general?
A: The scrutiny from the United States has ironically sparked a surge of support for QRIS from Indonesian citizens. Social media platforms, particularly on platforms like “X” (formerly Twitter), have seen the #Qris hashtag trending, with many users voicing their patriotism and support for the domestically developed payment system. Comments often highlight QRIS as a symbol of Indonesia’s digital sovereignty and highlight its benefits for the Indonesian economy for not needing to use foreign payments.
Q: Does QRIS offer more than just payments?
A: Yes, QRIS has expanded beyond basic payments. In 2021, BI introduced QRIS TUNTAS (cash withdrawal, transfer, and deposit), broadening its functionalities beyond payments to encompass cash withdrawals and money transfers.
Q: Is QRIS only for domestic transactions?
A: No, QRIS also supports cross-border transactions, enabling foreign tourists to use their home country’s payment applications within Indonesia.
Q: Is QRIS expanding internationally? If so, where?
A: Yes, the Indonesian government is actively expanding QRIS internationally. Currently, QRIS is accepted in Malaysia, singapore, and Thailand. Bank Indonesia plans to expand further to these countries including the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion is a key part of Indonesia’s global payment strategy.
Q: When will QRIS be available in the 8 countries noted for expansion?
A: This article doesn’t specify when the expansion will be implemented, however, it does mention a timeline; this date was set to August 2, 2024.
Q: What are the advantages of using QRIS?
A: QRIS offers several advantages including:
Convenience: Quick and easy payments using smartphones.
Wide acceptance: Accepted by merchants of all sizes.
Security: uses secure technology for transactions.
Contactless: promotes hygiene, especially during pandemic times.
Financial Inclusion: Increases access to digital payment systems, including those who may not have traditional bank accounts.
Cost-efficiency: perhaps lower transaction fees compared to some international payment methods.
Conclusion:
QRIS is a rapidly evolving payment solution at the heart of Indonesia’s digital change. While U.S. scrutiny underscores the complexities of international finance, the strong support from within Indonesia and its expansion across Asia point to a promising future for QRIS. As it continues to grow and develop, QRIS is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of payments, both domestically and internationally.
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