Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabsexellent crabgood crab

Indonesia Expands QRIS Reach Despite US Trade Pressure

Arnoldus Kristianus
April 25, 2025 | 9:41 pm
SHARE
A customer pays using the QRIS barcode in Cimahi, West Java, on Sep. 20, 2024. (Antara Photo/Abdan Syakura)
A customer pays using the QRIS barcode in Cimahi, West Java, on Sep. 20, 2024. (Antara Photo/Abdan Syakura)

Jakarta. Indonesia is pushing ahead with the international expansion of its national QR code payment system despite mounting scrutiny from Washington, which has accused the country of erecting trade barriers through its digital payment policies.

Bank Indonesia (BI) Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta said the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) is now interoperable with payment systems in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, with upcoming partnerships planned with Japan, India, South Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia.

“The cross-border use of QRIS continues to grow,” Filianingsih said recently. “This is part of our commitment to building a more inclusive and efficient digital payment ecosystem.”

Launched in 2019, QRIS has emerged as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s digital finance strategy. By the first quarter of 2025, the platform had reached 56.3 million users and facilitated 2.6 billion transactions worth Rp 262.1 trillion ($16.4 billion). QRIS is currently used by 38.1 million merchants, mostly small businesses, with no minimum transaction requirement and low or no fees for micro merchants.

ADVERTISEMENT

QRIS Tap, a newer feature using near-field communication (NFC) technology, has also gained traction since its March debut, recording 42.9 million transactions from 20.8 million users. More than 1.4 million merchants are now equipped to accept QRIS Tap.

However, the system has drawn criticism from the US government, which argues that Indonesia’s QRIS and National Payment Gateway (NPG) policies disadvantage foreign firms like Visa and Mastercard. The complaint is part of broader US trade concerns that have led President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 32 percent on Indonesian goods, starting this July.

Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia remains open to international players. “QRIS and NPG are not meant to exclude foreign operators,” Airlangga said. “Visa and Mastercard continue to operate freely here. We offer a level playing field.”

Retail association chairman Budihardjo Iduansjah also dismissed accusations of protectionism, saying QRIS merely offers consumers another option. “Credit cards and international systems are still in use across Indonesia. QRIS is just an additional tool for convenience and security,” he said.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


Business Jun 12, 2026 | 8:05 am

From 32% to 10% to 18%: Indonesia Lives Under Trump's Tariff Uncertainties

Indonesia has been trying to navigate US trade uncertainties, but officials are confident that the tariffs won't derail exports.
Business May 7, 2026 | 1:29 pm

‘No Dollar, No Problem’: Indonesia’s Biggest Banks Connect to Alipay and WeChat Pay

Indonesia launches cross-border QRIS with China, allowing seamless rupiah payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay networks.
Business Apr 30, 2026 | 3:39 pm

QRIS Officially Launches in China, Enabling Cashless Cross-Border Transactions

QRIS goes officially live in China, enabling seamless mobile payments and strengthening Indonesia’s cross-border digital integration.
Business Apr 22, 2026 | 10:03 pm

De-Dollarization Drive: Indonesia-China Cross-Border QRIS Payments to Launch Next Week

Indonesia and China will launch cross-border QRIS payments on April 30 as Jakarta pushes de-dollarization.
Business Apr 2, 2026 | 2:07 pm

Cross-Border QRIS Now Live Between Indonesia and South Korea

QRIS payments are now operational between Indonesia and South Korea, boosting tourism and MSME access.
Business Mar 19, 2026 | 8:00 am

Indonesians in South Korea Can Pay with QRIS Starting April

The QRIS expansion to South Korea is expected to be a boon for Indonesian travelers as tourist numbers hit a record-high in 2025.
Business Mar 13, 2026 | 12:00 pm

US Hits Indonesia with Another Probe, This Time on Forced Labor 

Indonesia is also facing a separate US probe on production surpluses.
Business Feb 27, 2026 | 9:23 pm

Indonesia to Defend Solar Panel Exports as US Imposes Up to 143% Duties

Indonesia will defend its solar panel exports after the US imposed provisional duties of up to 143% in an anti-subsidy probe.
Business Feb 23, 2026 | 9:59 pm

BI Says QRIS Users Reach 60 Million, iPhone Tap Feature Pending

QRIS users have reached 60 million, meeting BI's 2026 target, as cross-border expansion continues and iPhone Tap remains unavailable.
Business Feb 2, 2026 | 8:48 pm

Indonesia–US Trade Tariff Talks Completed, Await Leaders’ Meeting, Airlangga Says

Indonesia says tariff talks with the US are complete, with only legal drafting and a Prabowo–Trump meeting left to seal the deal.

The Latest


News 13 hours ago

Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits

Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.
Business 14 hours ago

PLN Rushes Coal Supplies After Power Outages Hit Java

PLN is rushing to secure coal supplies after shortages triggered rolling blackouts across Java, disrupting businesses and daily life.
Business 18 hours ago

Japan-Backed ADB Invests in Indonesia’s Human Capital

As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program from 1988 to 2024.
Business 19 hours ago

Indonesian Stocks Rise Despite Foreign Outflows as MSCI Review Looms

Indonesia's JCI rose 2.8% as easing geopolitical tensions offset foreign outflows, MSCI concerns and rupiah pressures.
News 19 hours ago

World Cup 2026: Paraguay Holds Off Turkey With 10 Men to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive

Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds as 10-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0, eliminating the Turks and securing first place for the US.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED