Indonesia vs Japan · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | BI-FAST | Zengin |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | — | — |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | — |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | — |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | ◐ | — |
| Alias/Proxy | ✓ | — |
Indonesia's real-time interbank transfer system launched by Bank Indonesia to replace the aging BI-RTGS for retail payments. BI-FAST supports 24/7 instant account-to-account transfers via bank account number or proxy ID across banks, fintech firms, and e-money providers. Built on ISO 20022 messaging with a modern API-based architecture, it is one of two key payment rails in Indonesia alongside QRIS (the QR standard). BI-FAST aims to be the backbone of Indonesia's digital financial infrastructure for its 280M population.
Japan's domestic interbank clearing network, one of the oldest electronic payment systems in the world, connecting over 1,000 banks and financial institutions. Originally a batch-processing system, Zengin was upgraded to 24/7 real-time operations in 2018 via the "More Time System" extension. Operated by the Japanese Bankers Association with settlement through the BOJ, it handles the vast majority of Japan's domestic credit transfers. Note: data includes all Zengin transactions (both real-time and batch-processed), as the system does not separately report its 24/7 instant component.