# Uruguay — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **Toke** interoperable QR (6+ banks)
- **BCU authorized** payment issuers
- **Prex** cross-border regional
- **Instant settlement** free transfers
- **Pix/Modo** interop planned

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Banco Central del Uruguay (BCU)
- **Website:** https://www.bcu.gub.uy/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment authorization

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | BROU | State | BROU App |
| 2 | Santander Uruguay | International | Santander App |
| 3 | BBVA Uruguay | International | BBVA App |
| 4 | Itaú Uruguay | International | Itaú App |
| 5 | Scotiabank Uruguay | International | Scotia App |

### Market Structure
- **Toke:** Interoperable QR
- **Prex:** Regional fintech
- **BCU:** Authorization authority
- **International banks:** Major presence

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| Toke | Banks/BCU | Interoperable QR | Active |
| BROU transfers | BROU | State bank | Active |
| Prex | Fintech | Regional wallet | Active |
| Card networks | Visa/MC | Cards | Active |

### Toke System
- BCU authorized issuers
- 6+ participating banks
- Instant settlement
- Free for users
- Commercial name "Toke"

### Participating Entities
- BROU (Banco República)
- Santander
- BBVA
- Itaú
- Scotiabank
- HSBC
- Prex, Mi Dinero, Oca Blue

---

## QR code standards

### Toke QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | BCU authorized |
| **Banks** | 6+ participating |
| **Settlement** | Instant |
| **Cost** | Free |

### Toke Features
- Universal QR logo
- Any participating wallet
- Immediate credit
- Free payments
- Merchant QR display

### Future Interoperability
- VIX Brazil planned
- Modo Argentina planned
- Cross-border QR
- Regional integration

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| Bank Apps | Banks | Yes | Toke enabled |
| Prex | Fintech | Yes | Regional |
| Mi Dinero | Private | Yes | Toke |
| Oca Blue | Oca | Yes | Toke |

### Prex Features
- Dual currency (UYU/USD)
- Free regional transfers
- Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay
- Brazilian Pix payments
- QR Toke compatible

### Cross-Border
- Pay in Brazil with Pix/QR
- Instant transfers
- No additional charges
- Regional wallet

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Toke QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/UY/toke-qr) | Interoperable | BCU | 6+ banks | [`toke`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/toke) |
| [Prex](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/UY/prex) | Regional | Fintech | 4 countries | [`prex`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/prex) |
| [Bank transfers](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/UY/bank-transfers) | Instant | Banks | Active | — |

## Sources

- [Prex - Toke](https://www.prexcard.com/toke)
- [El Acontecer - Toke Launch](https://elacontecer.com.uy/2024/09/11/sistema-toke-pagos-qr-bancos-uruguay/)
- [El Observador - QR Changes](https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/transferir-dinero-con-el-numero-de-celular-y-pagar-con-qr-en-el-super-cambios-que-se-vienen-202362717350)
- [iProup - Mercosur QR](https://www.iproup.com/finanzas/51209-billetera-virtual-de-argentina-permitira-pagar-en-qr-de-uruguay-brasil-y-paraguay)

## Full country report

[UY-uruguay.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/UY)