The Central Bank of Paraguay published an update on its first payments seminar, held with the National Competition Commission on Sept. 22 and 23, which brought together regional experts to discuss the challenges and evolution of payment systems. The event focused on issues relevant to Paraguay’s payments ecosystem, including digital payment innovation, payment card markets, interoperability and QR-based payments. Participants included representatives from central banks, multilateral organizations and private companies. In opening remarks, board member Liana Caballero placed the discussions in the context of Paraguay’s existing payments reforms, referring to the Paraguay Payment System, the launch of the Instant Payment System and the approval of a new legal framework for payments. Sessions examined Chile’s payment card market transformation and related regulatory decisions, Argentina’s integration of card payments into Transferencias 3.0 and QR interoperability, Brazil’s card market and the regulatory effects of Pix, and Costa Rica’s approach to a more efficient, secure and lower-cost card payment system.