# Cambodia — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **KHQR** is the national EMV QR standard
- **Bakong** blockchain-based payment platform (2020)
- **$104.81 billion** in 608M transactions (2024)
- **30 million Bakong wallets** with 4.5M+ accepting merchants
- **Cross-border** with Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** National Bank of Cambodia (NBC)
- **Website:** https://www.nbc.gov.kh/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, Bakong/KHQR oversight

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | ACLEDA Bank | Private | ACLEDA Mobile |
| 2 | Canadia Bank | Private | Canadia Mobile |
| 3 | ABA Bank | Private | ABA Mobile |
| 4 | PPC Bank | Private | PPC Mobile |
| 5 | Sathapana Bank | Private | Sathapana App |

### Market Structure
- **ACLEDA:** Largest bank, KHQR operator
- **ABA Bank:** Digital leader
- **Bakong members:** 57 financial institutions
- **Blockchain:** Hyperledger Iroha framework

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| Bakong | NBC | Blockchain payment | Active |
| KHQR | NBC | EMV QR standard | Active |
| FAST | NBC | Interbank | Active |
| CSS | NBC | Clearing | Active |

### Bakong Statistics (2024)
- **608 million transactions**
- **$104.81 billion** value (330% of GDP)
- **95% growth** from 2023
- **30 million wallets**
- **4.5 million merchants** accepting

### Bakong Features
- Blockchain-based (Hyperledger Iroha)
- Built with Japanese Soramitsu
- USD and KHR support
- P2P, P2B, B2B transfers
- Cross-border connectivity

---

## QR code standards

### KHQR (Khmer QR)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Standard** | EMV QR Code |
| **Operator** | NBC |
| **Merchants** | 4.5 million+ |
| **Interoperability** | All Bakong members |

### KHQR Features
- Single QR for all payment providers
- EMV standardized format
- Real-time settlement via Bakong
- Cross-border acceptance

### Bakong Tourists App
- **Launched:** August 19, 2024 (Siem Reap)
- **Mastercard:** Connected November 2024
- **Visa:** Connected January 22, 2025
- Foreign tourist payments enabled

### Cross-Border KHQR

| Country | System | Status |
|---------|--------|--------|
| Thailand | PromptPay | Active (2023) |
| Malaysia | DuitNow | Active (2024) |
| Vietnam | VietQR | Active (2023) |
| Laos | LaoQR | Active (2023) |
| Singapore | RoamQR | Active (2025) |
| South Korea | Kakao Pay | Active (Aug 2024) |
| Japan | JPQR | MoU (March 2025) |
| India | UPI | H2 2026 (planned) |
| China | Alipay+ | Active |

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | KHQR | Users |
|-----|----------|------|-------|
| Bakong | NBC | Yes | 30M wallets |
| ACLEDA Mobile | ACLEDA | Yes | Large |
| ABA Mobile | ABA | Yes | Large |
| Wing | Wing | Yes | Active |
| TrueMoney | TrueMoney | Yes | Active |

### Bakong App
- Official NBC wallet
- KHQR payments
- Cross-border transfers
- USD and KHR accounts

### Bakong Tourists App
- For foreign visitors
- Mastercard/Visa link
- KHQR merchant payments
- Simplified onboarding

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [KHQR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KH/khqr) | EMV QR | NBC | 4.5M merchants | [`khqr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/khqr) |
| [Bakong](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KH/bakong) | Blockchain | NBC | 30M wallets | [`bakong`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/bakong) |
| [Cross-border](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KH/cross-border) | International | EMV | 8+ countries | — |

## Sources

- [Bakong Official](https://bakong.nbc.gov.kh/en/)
- [Transfi - Cambodia Payment Rails](https://www.transfi.com/blog/cambodias-payment-rails-how-they-work---bakong-khqr-the-national-push-for-financial-inclusion)
- [B2B Cambodia - Bakong Tourists](https://b2b-cambodia.com/news/how-to-use-the-bakong-tourists-app-cambodia/)
- [AKP - Cambodia Singapore QR](https://www.akp.gov.kh/post/detail/353079)
- [AKP - ACLEDA UPI Link](https://www.akp.gov.kh/post/detail/354937)
- [PPCBank - Korea Cross-Border](https://www.ppcbank.com.kh/cross-border-payment-korea-cambodia/)
- [iTnews Asia - KHQR Launch](https://www.itnews.asia/news/national-bank-of-cambodia-introduces-universal-qr-code-582523)
- [Cambodgemag - Bakong Tourists App](https://www.cambodgemag.com/en/post/economy-national-bank-of-cambodia-officially-launches-bakong-tourist-app)
- [Orkun Santepheap - Bakong Guide](https://orkunsantepheap.com/bakong-tourist-app/)
- [Open Development Cambodia - NBC](https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/tag/national-bank-of-cambodia-nbc/)

## Full country report

[KH-cambodia.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KH)