DHAKA, Aug 10, 2026 (BSS) - Transactions through the interoperable Bangla QR payment system have reached nearly Tk 1,500 crore through around 56 lakh transactions since July 1, signalling a rapid shift in payment behaviour and growing acceptance of digital transactions across the country.  A senior Bangladesh Bank (BB) official told BSS that Bangla QR transactions have maintained strong momentum since the central bank made the interoperable QR system mandatory nationwide on July 1.  The official said that during August 2-8 alone, around 17 lakh transactions worth nearly Tk 487 crore were conducted through Bangla QR. The latest weekly figures indicate that Bangla QR transactions averaged around 2.4 lakh per day during the period, while the average transaction value stood at around Tk 2,865.  The figures are significant as Bangladesh Bank has been encouraging consumers and businesses to reduce their dependence on cash and adopt digital payment channels for everyday transactions.  Bangla QR enables customers to make payments by scanning a single interoperable QR code through participating bank and mobile financial service (MFS) applications. The system is intended to eliminate the need for merchants to display multiple QR codes for different providers, making digital payments simpler and more convenient for both merchants and consumers. BB Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has recently stepped up his call for wider adoption of Bangla QR, describing digital payments as an important component of the country's transition towards a safer and less-cash economy. During his two-day official visit to Chattogram on August 7-8, the governor joined a Bangla QR promotional campaign and encouraged merchants and consumers to increase the use of digital payment services.  The governor said Bangladesh Bank was working to establish a safe, easy, low-cost and inclusive cashless transaction system through the expansion of Bangla QR. At a Bangla QR workshop in Chattogram, he also highlighted the broader economic benefits of reducing dependence on physical currency. He said wider adoption of digital payments could help curb extortion, reduce the risks of counterfeit currency and make financial transactions more transparent. The governor said digital payments could reduce cash-management costs while helping expand technology-based financial services to people in rural and marginalised communities.  Talking to BSS, Md Mamun Islam, manager of SUPER Buy, a departmental store in Feni town, said QR-based payments are making their daily operations easier by reducing their dependence on physical cash. "Customers are increasingly asking to pay through QR. It saves time and reduces the amount of cash we need to handle. It also solves the problem of giving change," he said.  Md Sujon, a grocery shop owner in the Motijheel area, said QR payments have become particularly useful during busy periods. "When there are many customers, digital payment is faster. Customers scan the code and we receive confirmation without having to count and store cash," he said. Merchants, however, say transaction charges and reliable internet connectivity remain important issues, particularly for small businesses operating on thin profit margins. Consumers also say QR payments are becoming more convenient for everyday purchases. "I don't need to carry cash for every purchase. I can scan the Bangla QR code through my banking or MFS app and complete the payment within seconds," Md Rasheduzzaman, a businessman in the Feni area, told BSS. Md Sumon, a private-sector employee, said the interoperability of Bangla QR has made digital payments more convenient. "Previously, I had to check whether a shop accepted my preferred payment service. With Bangla QR, the payment process is much easier because I can use different participating apps," he said. Customers also benefit from being able to pay the exact amount, eliminating the need to carry small denominations or wait for change. The growing volume of Bangla QR transactions since the mandatory rollout indicates that interoperable digital payments are gaining traction among both merchants and consumers, supporting the country's broader transition towards a less-cash and more inclusive digital economy.