Indonesia's Cross-Border QRIS Wins Global Digital Infrastructure Award

Indonesia’s cross-border QRIS payment project wins 2026 50-in-5 Awards’ Collaboration category in New York. 

The QRIS payment scheme recognises the global role of QRIS in digital financial infrastructure, the Bank of Indonesia said. 

The award was handed out on Monday during the side event of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). 

QRIS Acknowledged for Global Collaboration 

The 50-in-5 initiative is launched by the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) and Co-Develop, a group that identifies digital public technology projects that enable cross-border collaboration. 

Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta welcomed the QRIS scheme, saying international payment interoperability does not mean countries have to open the same payment systems. 

But she said common goals, trust and consistent protocols are an important part to make cross-border collaborations work. 

QRIS Bridges Six International Markets 

Cross-Border QRIS was developed by the Bank of Indonesia, in collaboration with regional central banks and payment industry players, linking Indonesia’s local payment network with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and China. 

It allows Indonesian and international users to make QR-based payments in the participating markets. 

QRIS Cross-Border Transactions Reach Rp5.90 Trillion 

Inbound cross-border QRIS transactions in Indonesia are projected to hit 21 million transactions worth Rp5.90 trillion (US$322 million) from 2022 to July 2026, according to data from Bank Indonesia. 

In the meantime, Indonesian tourists made 4.67 million outbound transactions in partner countries with a total value of Rp1.73 billion (US$94 million) 

The figures led to a net inflow of Rp4.17 billion (US$227 million), it said. 

QRIS Backing Indonesian MSMEs 

The Bank of Indonesia also pointed to the benefits of Cross-Border QRIS for Indonesia's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

As the MSMEs comprise 96.69 percent of Indonesia's 45.46 million registered QRIS merchants, it means a large percent of the national businesses can accept digital payments directly from the international visitors. 

The QRIS can then support the needs of the merchants serving foreign tourists with the ease to receive payments through the participating international payment networks. 

Bank to Extend QRIS 

The Bank of Indonesia said they will continue expanding the Cross-Border QRIS to additional partner countries. 

The future integration of QRIS will be with countries that have strong trade, tourism and diplomatic relations with Indonesia. 

The latest global award highlights the increasing importance of QRIS in Indonesia’s digital payment infrastructure and the country’s efforts to link Indonesia’s payment systems with global markets .