Bahrain vs Japan · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | Fawri+ | Zengin |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Japan's domestic interbank clearing network, one of the oldest electronic payment systems in the world, connecting over 1,000 banks. Originally batch-only; upgraded to 24/7 real-time in 2018 via the More Time System. Underpins consumer real-time transfers in every Japanese bank's mobile app, any-bank ATM transfers, and the bank-funding legs of major consumer wallets (PayPay, LINE Pay, Rakuten Pay, au PAY). Operated by the Japanese Bankers Association with settlement through the BOJ. Note: data includes all Zengin transactions (real-time and batch-processed).