Malaysia is phasing out proprietary QR codes: what merchants need to know
Sep 1, 2026
5 min
On 30 June 2026, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) issued the Interoperable Fund Transfer Framework, a policy document that requires all proprietary QR payment networks in Malaysia to be discontinued by 30 June 2028. After that date, every QR payment in the country will run on a single interoperable system: DuitNow QR, operated by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet). If you already accept DuitNow QR through Billplz, nothing changes for you. Your customers can already pay from any participating bank or Wallet app, and your setup is on the right rail.
This article explains what the new framework means, why BNM is making this move, and what merchants in each situation should do next.
What is changing
Under the new framework, proprietary QR networks, meaning closed systems where only one specific app can scan and pay through a particular QR code, must be discontinued by 30 June 2028. During the transition period, affected institutions are also barred from onboarding new merchants onto proprietary QR networks.
Going forward, all QR payments must go through the shared payment infrastructure: PayNet's Real-time Retail Payments Platform (RPP). This is the same infrastructure that already powers DuitNow Transfer and DuitNow QR.
In practical terms, this means:
- Banks offering QR payments must participate in the shared infrastructure and allow their customers to pay merchants served by any participating acquirer.
- Merchant acquirers must allow their merchants to accept payments from customers of any participating bank or Wallet provider.
- Consumers will be able to use any participating bank or e-wallet app to pay any participating merchant through the same QR code.
The result is one unified QR payment network instead of multiple siloed ones.
Why BNM is making this move
The reasoning is straightforward. Proprietary QR networks created fragmentation. Merchants had to display multiple QR codes for different apps, and consumers could not always pay with their preferred app at a given merchant. The experience was inconsistent, and smaller merchants were the most affected because they could not afford to support every provider.
BNM's position is that interoperability solves both problems. One QR code covers all participating apps, and every merchant, regardless of size, has access to the full pool of QR-paying consumers. According to BNM, most respondents to its earlier consultation did not object to the prohibition on proprietary QR schemes, recognising that it would prevent market fragmentation and improve the payment experience.
PayNet has also assured full flexibility for providers to design and implement loyalty and marketing programmes within the shared payment network, addressing concerns raised by some stakeholders about the transition.
What this means for merchants
The impact depends on your current setup. Here are the three most common scenarios.
You already accept DuitNow QR
Nothing changes. DuitNow QR already runs on the interoperable RPP infrastructure. Your customers can pay from any participating bank or Wallet app, and there is no migration required on your end. This applies whether you accept DuitNow QR through Billplz or through another acquirer.
You accept a proprietary QR code
Your provider will need to migrate you to the DuitNow QR system before 30 June 2028. The two-year transition period gives providers time to adjust their systems and operating models. If you are unsure whether your current QR setup is proprietary or interoperable, ask your payment provider about their transition plan.
You do not accept QR payments yet
Now is a practical time to start. With all QR payments converging on DuitNow QR, you only need one QR code to accept payments from every participating bank and Wallet app. There is no longer a question of which QR provider to choose, because every provider will be on the same interoperable network.
DuitNow QR by the numbers
DuitNow QR adoption has grown quickly since its launch in 2019, and the numbers show why this interoperability mandate is building on strong momentum rather than starting from scratch.
2025 data (BNM Annual Report 2025):
- 3 billion DuitNow QR transactions, doubled from 1.5 billion in 2024
- Nearly 3 million merchant touchpoints registered
- 179% year-on-year increase in cross-border QR transactions, with 11.8 million transactions worth MYR 967 million in the first half of 2025 alone
- Cross-border QR payments now allow tourists from Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia to pay Malaysian merchants using their own banking apps
- 18.4 billion total e-payment transactions across Malaysia, up 25% from 14.7 billion in 2024
- 538 e-payments per capita, up from 432 in 2024
2023 data (BNM Annual Report 2023, Box 6):
- Approximately 80% of DuitNow QR merchants are small merchants registering monthly sales below MYR 5,000.00
- DuitNow QR registered codes grew 6.3x from 0.3 million in 2019 to 2.0 million in 2023
The cross-border growth is particularly relevant. As inbound tourism continues to grow, accepting DuitNow QR means your checkout works for both Malaysian consumers and visitors from participating countries, without any additional setup.
How DuitNow QR works on Billplz
DuitNow QR is a supported payment method on Billplz. Billplz is a certified PayNet system integrator, which means the connection to the DuitNow QR rail is direct and maintained.
Here is what to know:
- DuitNow QR shows up automatically on the Billplz payment page once it is enabled on your collection.
- KYB verification happens during onboarding. To add non-FPX payment methods like DuitNow QR, you then apply through a payment method application form. Once approved, enable DuitNow QR on each collection.
- For developers: no extra API work is needed. Callbacks and webhooks work the same way they do for FPX, Wallet, Card, and Instalments. The payment method is handled on the Billplz payment page.
- Billplz supports DuitNow QR as one of several payment methods alongside FPX, Wallet, Card, and Instalments, so your customers always have a choice.
To enable or disable DuitNow QR on your collection, follow the steps in the Billplz support article on payment methods.
FAQ
Do I need to change anything if I already accept DuitNow QR?
No. DuitNow QR already runs on the interoperable payment infrastructure operated by PayNet. Your customers can pay from any participating bank or Wallet app, and no migration is needed on your end. This applies whether you accept DuitNow QR through Billplz or through another acquirer.
What happens to proprietary QR codes after June 2028?
Proprietary QR payment networks must be discontinued by 30 June 2028 under BNM's Interoperable Fund Transfer Framework. After that date, all QR payments in Malaysia will run through the shared interoperable system, which is the DuitNow QR network operated by PayNet. During the transition period, affected providers are also barred from onboarding new merchants onto proprietary QR networks.
Can tourists pay with DuitNow QR?
Yes. Cross-border QR payments are growing rapidly. Tourists from Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia can pay Malaysian merchants via DuitNow QR using their own banking apps. BNM reported a 179% year-on-year increase in cross-border QR transactions in 2025, with 11.8 million transactions worth MYR 967 million in the first half of the year alone.
How do I enable DuitNow QR on my Billplz account?
DuitNow QR appears automatically on the Billplz payment page once it is enabled on your collection. KYB verification happens during onboarding. To add DuitNow QR, apply through the payment method application form, then enable it per collection. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the Billplz support article on enabling or disabling a payment method.
Looking ahead
The shift to a single interoperable QR system is a simplification of the Malaysian payment landscape, not a disruption. For merchants already on DuitNow QR, the change reinforces a decision you have already made. For those still on proprietary systems, the two-year window gives you time to plan the transition. And for organizations not yet accepting QR payments, the path forward is now clearer than ever: one QR code, one network, every participating app.
Billplz has been processing payments since 2012, serving 60,000+ Malaysian organizations across FPX, Wallet, Card, and Instalments. If you have questions about DuitNow QR on Billplz, visit the payment methods page or check pricing for your plan.