Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | Fawri+ | Sarie |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | ◐ | — |
| Wallet Support | ◐ | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | — |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | — | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | ◐ | ✓ |
Bahrain's instant payment service operated by BENEFIT Company (the national payment network) under Central Bank of Bahrain oversight. Fawri+ enables 24/7 real-time domestic transfers between banks in seconds, complementing the existing Fawri (next-day) service. Bahrain was an early adopter of instant payments in the Gulf region, and BENEFIT also operates BenefitPay, a mobile wallet app linked to Fawri+ for QR and P2P payments. The system connects all retail banks in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's instant payment system launched by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) as part of the Vision 2030 digital transformation agenda. sarie (meaning "fast" in Arabic) enables 24/7 real-time transfers between banks and fintech providers via IBAN or mobile number, with settlement in seconds. Built on ISO 20022 messaging, it supports P2P, P2M, and bulk payments. The system is a key enabler of Saudi Arabia's goal to increase non-cash transactions to 70% by 2030.