Taiwan vs Singapore · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | FISC | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | ✓ | ◐ |
| Wallet Support | — | ◐ |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | ◐ | ✓ |
| ISO 20022 | ◐ | ✓ |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | ◐ | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | ◐ | ✓ |
Taiwan's shared interbank real-time rail, operated by FISC (Financial Information Service Co.). Carries both institutional flows and consumer traffic β real-time transfers in every Taiwanese bank's mobile app, any-bank ATM withdrawals, and TWQR merchant payments. TWQR is FISC's national interoperable QR-code standard (launched 2019), used by consumer wallets Line Pay Money, JKO Pay, iPass Money and Pi ζι’ε . Live 24/7 since 1991, connecting 107 institutions, handling TWD plus five foreign currencies (USD, RMB, JPY, EUR, AUD). Settles through the CBC's RTGS.
Singapore's two-layer instant payment infrastructure: FAST (Fast And Secure Transfers, 2014) provides the real-time clearing rail, while PayNow (2017) adds a proxy-based overlay allowing transfers via mobile number, NRIC/FIN, UEN, or VPA. PayNow has cross-border linkages with India's UPI, Thailand's PromptPay, and Malaysia's DuitNow. Governed by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) under MAS oversight, the system supports P2P, P2M, and government disbursements with no transaction fees for individuals.