# Myanmar — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **MMQR** (Myanmar Quick Response) is the national QR standard
- **MyanmarPay** brand for unified QR payment switch
- **EMVCo** compliant specification
- **74% unbanked** - QR for financial inclusion
- **98%** of digital transactions via QR codes (Khan Bank)

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM)
- **Website:** https://www.cbm.gov.mm/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, MMQR/MyanmarPay oversight

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | KBZ Bank | Private | KBZ Pay |
| 2 | AYA Bank | Private | AYA Pay |
| 3 | CB Bank | Private | CB Pay |
| 4 | Yoma Bank | Private | Yoma Bank App |
| 5 | UAB Bank | Private | UAB Pay |

### Market Structure
- **MPU:** Myanmar Payment Union (domestic switch)
- **Mobile wallets:** Wave Money, OK$, etc.
- **74% unbanked:** Major inclusion opportunity
- **Digital payment switch:** Payplus operator

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MMQR | CBM | QR Standard | Active (Feb 2025) |
| MyanmarPay | Payplus | Digital switch | Active |
| MPU | Bank consortium | ATM/POS switch | Active (2012) |

### MMQR Connected Services
- KBZ Pay
- AYA Pay
- Wave Money
- OK$
- CB Pay
- UAB Pay
- A+ Wallet
- CTZ Pay
- Yoma
- Trusty
- Zego
- Mpitesan

### National Payment System Strategy (2020-2025)
- Foster digital banking
- Expand digital payments
- Reduce cash usage
- Interoperability mandate

---

## QR code standards

### MMQR (Myanmar Quick Response)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Standard** | EMVCo QR Code |
| **Operator** | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| **Brand** | MyanmarPay |
| **Launch** | February 2025 (full) |

### MMQR Features
- National standardized QR code
- EMVCo specification compliant
- Interoperability across banks/wallets
- Single merchant QR for all apps

### Development Timeline
- **January 2019:** MMQR Specification Version 1.0
- **2021:** Payplus selected as switch operator
- **2022:** Digital payment switch implementation began
- **June 2024:** SAC pushed MMQR implementation
- **February 2025:** MMQR system emerged fully

### How MMQR Works
- Digital Payment Switch system
- Supports QR code-based payments
- Enables cross-wallet/bank transfers
- Previously siloed systems now interoperable

### MPU Historical Role
- Organized by banks in 2011
- ATM and POS switching services
- Started September 2012
- NETS Group technical assistance (SGQR model)

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | MMQR | Users |
|-----|----------|------|-------|
| KBZ Pay | KBZ Bank | Yes | Leading |
| AYA Pay | AYA Bank | Yes | Large |
| Wave Money | Wave | Yes | Active |
| OK$ | Ok Dollar | Yes | Growing |
| CB Pay | CB Bank | Yes | Active |

### Mobile Money Dominance
- 98% of digital transactions via QR/mobile
- Khan Bank digital network largest
- Wave Money leading mobile wallet
- KBZ Pay dominant bank app

### Interoperability Achievement
- Previously: Banks only within own network
- Example: Couldn't transfer KPay to AYA Pay
- Now: MMQR enables cross-platform payments
- Single QR for multiple payment apps

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MMQR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MM/mmqr) | EMV QR | CBM | 12+ apps | [`mmqr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mmqr) |
| [MPU](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MM/mpu) | Card switch | Consortium | Universal | — |
| [MyanmarPay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MM/myanmarpay) | Payment switch | Payplus | Active | — |

## Sources

- [CBM - National Payment System](https://www.cbm.gov.mm/content/national-payment-system-myanmar)
- [Build Myanmar - What is MMQR](https://www.buildmyanmarmedia.com/what-is-mmqr-myanmars-new-digital-payment-system-explained/)
- [Myanmar ITV - MMQR Launch](https://www.myanmaritv.com/news/mmqr-payment-mmqr-merchant-acquiring-service-launched)
- [Payments Journal - Myanmar QR Inclusion](https://www.paymentsjournal.com/myanmar-drives-towards-qr-codes-with-74-unbanked/)
- [MyanmarPay - QR Specification PDF](https://myanmarpay.com.mm/frontend/assets/files/MyanmarQRSpecification.pdf)
- [Wikipedia - MyanmarPay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MyanmarPay)
- [Myanmar Gov - MMQR March Launch](https://myanmar.gov.mm/news-media/news/latest-news/-/asset_publisher/idasset354/content/mmqr-of-merchant-acquiring-service-launched-on-4-march)
- [Nikkei Asia - Myanmar Unifies QR](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/myanmar-unifies-qr-code-payment-formats-boosting-convenience)
- [One News - MMQR Digital Payment](https://onenewstvchannel.com/en/politic-en/government-en/mmqr-available-to-use-for-digital-payment/)
- [MOI - CBM MMQR Launch](https://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/news/17174)

## Full country report

[MM-myanmar.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MM)