The universal payment system was supposed to free entrepreneurs from keeping multiple terminals at the checkout. In practice, the interbank service proved noticeably more expensive than the banks’ own QR solutions, forcing businesses to choose between convenience and savings.
What happened
The unified interbank QR system officially launched in Kazakhstan on July 19, 2026, following a testing phase that began on July 7. The National Payment Corporation (NPC) operates the service. The technology allows a buyer to scan a single code and pay through the app of any connected bank.
Since its launch, the system has processed about a million transactions. However, entrepreneurs in industry communities began complaining about commission rates, which in some cases reach 1.35% of the transaction amount. As Inbusiness.kz reports, businesses expected lower costs by ditching extra equipment, but found that the universal standard costs more than traditional terminals.
Country and market
A tariff comparison shows a clear pattern: banks set significantly higher rates for interbank operations, making their own payment tools more attractive.
According to the publication, Halyk Bank charges 0.5% for payments through its internal Halyk QR, while the Unified QR costs 1.25% in its tariff grid. Freedom Bank shows a similar situation: its own Freedom QR costs the seller 0.5%, and the base tariff for a universal payment is 1.3%. Finteqstan previously reported that Freedom Bank agreed to integrate QR payments with China's Weixin Pay, actively expanding its external infrastructure, but continues to protect its ecosystem domestically.
At Kaspi, the Unified QR commission ranges from 1.3% to 1.35% depending on the business category. Forte Bank offers a 0.5% rate for internal transactions and 1.2% for payments from clients of other banks. Financial institutions are gradually adapting their products to the new standard: recent updates to the ForteApp for individuals already include support for Unified QR payments.
Why it matters
The tariff difference stems from revenue distribution mechanics and the fight for clients. When paying via the Unified QR, an interbank mechanism applies: the buyer’s bank receives 1% of the amount (interchange fee), which funds cashbacks and bonuses. The National Payment Corporation takes 0.05%, and the remainder goes to the seller’s bank for acquiring.
Before the universal QR, an entrepreneur chose a specific bank to install a POS terminal, giving it all their turnover. The unified standard breaks this tie, opening up the market.
What’s next
Connecting to the Unified QR remains voluntary. Entrepreneurs can continue using multiple terminals or accepting cards directly.
Banks are using pricing as a defensive barrier, testing whether businesses are willing to pay for open infrastructure out of their own margins. If the commission for interbank operations remains high, sellers might start factoring these costs into goods prices or encouraging buyers to pay in cash.