National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu reviewed payment modernization at a digital finance forum in Bucharest, reporting estimated SEPA fee savings of EUR 16.4 million across about 1.2 million transfers during Moldova’s first year of operational participation. MIA Instant Payments has reached nearly 1.1 million users and processed more than 38.8 million transactions since launch. Dragu reiterated the need for clear rules and supervision proportionate to risks as digital services expand.
Policy & regulationImplementation, projects & pilotsPayments and payment systemsFinancial stability and systemic riskMarket infrastructure
In opening remarks at the Digital Finance in Central and Eastern Europe Forum in Bucharest, National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu presented updated figures on payment usage and costs. Citizens and businesses completed about 1.2 million transfers through the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) during Moldova’s first year of operational participation, saving an estimated EUR 16.4 million in fees compared with transfers through SWIFT. Domestically, MIA Instant Payments has reached nearly 1.1 million users and processed more than 38.8 million transactions since launch.
Launched in March 2024, MIA has expanded from transfers between individuals to merchant, government and business payments. Dragu reiterated the importance of clear rules and supervision proportionate to risks in supporting digital financial services while managing technological risks and maintaining financial stability. Payment modernization forms part of Moldova’s broader alignment with European Union standards. The European Commission’s 2026 report on Moldova finds national payments legislation largely aligned with the EU’s revised Payment Services Directive.
National Bank of Moldova Deputy Governor Mihnea Constantinescu presented MIA as a central bank funded instant payments model with mandatory participation by all payment service providers. The system has expanded beyond phone-based transfers to merchant, government and business payments and now has more than 1 million unique registered users.
National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu said banking strength, payment modernization and European integration are supporting financial innovation. SEPA transfers saved users nearly EUR 15 million from October 2025 through August 2026, while MIA has processed more than 31 million transactions worth MDL 28.5 billion. Open banking development…
The National Bank of Moldova discussed digital banking supervision, the MIA instant payment system and further European payment integration with a European Central Bank representative. The talks also covered central bank independence, monetary policy and preparations to align Moldova’s financial sector with EU rules.