# Bangladesh — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BD
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **Bangla QR** is the national interoperable QR standard
- **Full interoperability** launched November 1, 2025
- **TakaPay** national card scheme launched June 2024
- **NPSB** provides interbank switch since 2012
- **Instant QR transfers** from December 15, 2025

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Bangladesh Bank (BB)
- **Website:** https://www.bb.org.bd/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment systems oversight

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Sonali Bank | State | Sonali Digital |
| 2 | Islami Bank | Private | iBanking |
| 3 | BRAC Bank | Private | Astha App |
| 4 | Dutch-Bangla Bank | Private | Rocket |
| 5 | Standard Chartered | Foreign | SC Mobile |

### Market Structure
- **State banks:** Sonali, Janata, Agrani, Rupali
- **Private leaders:** Islami, BRAC, Dutch-Bangla
- **MFS providers:** bKash, Nagad, Rocket
- **LankaClear:** NPSB operator

### Mobile Financial Services (MFS)
- **bKash:** Largest MFS (BRAC Bank)
- **Nagad:** Postal MFS
- **Rocket:** Dutch-Bangla Bank

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| NPSB | Bangladesh Bank | Interbank switch | Active |
| Bangla QR | Bangladesh Bank | Unified QR | Active |
| TakaPay | Bangladesh Bank | National card | Active |
| RTGS | Bangladesh Bank | Large value | Active |

### NPSB Features (Since 2012)
- Interbank transfers
- ATM withdrawals (cross-bank)
- POS payments
- QR code payments
- Instant fund transfers

### Cash Dominance
- 71.7% cash-based transactions (Dec 2024)
- BDT 20,000 crore annual cash management cost
- Digital transformation ongoing

---

## QR code standards

### Bangla QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | Bangladesh Bank |
| **Type** | Unified interoperable QR |
| **Standard** | National |
| **Instant Transfer** | December 15, 2025 |

### Bangla QR Features
- Single QR for all providers
- Bank and MFS interoperability
- Merchant payments
- Standardized format

### Full Interoperability (November 1, 2025)
- Banks, MFS, PSPs connected
- Seamless fund movement
- Universal merchant acceptance
- 60% lower onboarding costs

### Instant QR Payments (December 15, 2025)
- Immediate merchant credit
- Replaces one-day delay
- Under BDT 10 lakh: instant
- Above BDT 10 lakh: regular processing

### TakaPay National Card (June 2024)
- Chip-based cards
- ATM withdrawals
- POS and QR payments
- Fund transfers
- Routed via NPSB

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | Bangla QR | Users |
|-----|----------|-----------|-------|
| bKash | BRAC Bank | Yes | 65M+ |
| Nagad | Postal | Yes | 50M+ |
| Rocket | Dutch-Bangla | Yes | 20M+ |
| Bank Apps | Various | Yes | Growing |

### bKash
- Largest MFS in Bangladesh
- Bangla QR integrated
- P2P and merchant payments
- Bill payments

### Nagad
- Government-backed (postal)
- Rapid growth
- QR payments
- Agent network

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Bangla QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BD/bangla-qr) | Unified QR | BB | Universal | [`bangla-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/bangla-qr) |
| [TakaPay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BD/takapay) | Card scheme | Chip | 9 banks (launch) | [`takapay`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/takapay) |
| [NPSB](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BD/npsb) | Interbank | Switch | All banks | — |

## Sources

- [Bangladesh Bank - Payment Systems](https://www.bb.org.bd/en/index.php/financialactivity/paysystems)
- [TBS - Bangla QR SC Launch](https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/corporates/standard-chartered-bangladesh-launches-bangla-qr-payment-sc-mobile-app-1219421)
- [TBS - Instant QR Dec 15](https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/instant-transfer-bangla-qr-payments-15-dec-1293956)
- [TBS - Fintech Reforms](https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/strategic-fintech-reforms-needed-spur-innovation-941581)
- [The Paypers - Bangla QR Launch](https://thepaypers.com/payments/news/bangladesh-central-bank-launches-national-qr-code-payments-system)
- [Daily Star - Digital Payment Revolution](https://www.thedailystar.net/business/column/news/bangladeshs-digital-payment-revolution-4016741)
- [BrainStation 23 - Bangla QR](https://brainstation-23.com/bangla-qr/)
- [Standard Bank - NPSB](https://standardbankbd.com/ConnectNpsb.php)
- [TBS - Mobile Interoperability](https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/banking/cenbank-working-introduce-mobile-interoperability-governor-1077966)
- [Payments CMI - Bangladesh P2P](https://paymentscmi.com/insights/bangladesh-p2p-payments/)

## Full country report

[BD-bangladesh.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BD)