3. From Small Shops to National Networks, QRIS Continues Changing the Rhythm of Everyday Payments Across Indonesia

QRIS remains one of the clearest symbols of that transition. Transactions through the national QR payment standard grew 67.22% year on year in August, supported by an expanding base of users and merchants.

The growth is not limited to QR payments. Mobile banking transaction volumes increased 47.08% annually in August, while internet banking transactions grew 15.12%. Together, those figures illustrate how digital channels are becoming increasingly embedded in everyday financial activity.

The scale becomes even more visible when looking at the first half of the year. The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs reported that by June, QRIS had reached 65.77 million users and 44.86 million merchants. Nearly 96.68% of those merchants were classified as micro, small and medium enterprises.

During the first half of 2026, QRIS recorded 12.55 billion transactions with a value of approximately Rp1.12 quadrillion, according to the ministry. The volume represented annual growth of 93.92%, showing how quickly the system has expanded across Indonesia's economic landscape.

For small businesses, the significance of that growth is practical. A QR code can allow a small shop, food stall or service provider to accept electronic payments without requiring the infrastructure traditionally associated with larger businesses. Digital payment therefore becomes not merely a technological convenience but part of the path toward wider financial participation.

Bank Indonesia has also continued developing cross-border QRIS connections with partner countries. The central bank says the expansion is intended to support broader payment connectivity and make digital transactions more accessible for economic activity involving Indonesia and other markets.

The broader payment infrastructure is growing alongside QRIS. BI-FAST processed 549 million retail transactions in August, up 37.72% year on year, with transaction value reaching Rp1,346 trillion. The figures show that Indonesia's digital payment ecosystem is developing across several interconnected channels rather than depending on one instrument alone.

There is also a quieter economic dimension to the change. Digital records can make transactions easier to track, potentially helping businesses establish financial histories and improve access to formal financial services. For millions of small merchants, the move from cash to digital can therefore alter not only how money changes hands but also how businesses participate in the wider financial system.

Indonesia's digital-payment story is still unfolding. Every QR code placed at a counter represents a small change, but millions of those changes together create a much larger transformation. The latest figures from Bank Indonesia suggest that the country's movement toward a more digital economy is continuing at considerable speed.

AI Image Disclaimer

This image was created using AI for illustrative purposes and should not be considered a photograph of an actual QRIS transaction or location.

Sources

Bank Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs OJK ANTARA