The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic issued supervisory instructions to major payment system participants to reassess technical capabilities and optimize business processes to ensure uninterrupted consumer services, following recent disruptions in payments made via QR codes. The central bank stressed that QR codes, while widely used, should not be treated as the only payment instrument, and that merchants should have alternative ways to accept payment if a technical failure occurs (for example connectivity issues, no internet, scanner malfunction, or incorrect code generation). It also reiterated that banks and payment organizations are required under Kyrgyz law to ensure the continuous operation of systems used for cashless settlements in the national currency. Adoption data cited included ELQR connectivity across 20 commercial banks and 14 payment organizations, with 32 mobile applications; in the first half of 2025, QR-code payments reached KGS 274.9 billion, up 19.9 times year on year from KGS 13.8 billion, alongside deployment of QR codes at more than 80.5 thousand retail outlets. For users, the National Bank recommended switching to alternative payment methods when QR payments fail (including cards, NFC, mobile payment services, internet and mobile banking, or cash) and contacting their servicing bank immediately in the event of an incorrect debit.
National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic 2025-09-18
National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic instructs key payment system participants to review systems after QR-code payment disruptions
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic instructed major payment system participants to reassess technical capabilities and optimize processes to ensure uninterrupted consumer services after recent QR code payment disruptions. The bank emphasized the need for alternative payment methods and compliance with Kyrgyz law for continuous cashless settlement operations. QR-code payments surged to KGS 274.9 billion in the first half of 2025, a 19.9-fold year-on-year increase.