Singapore vs Indonesia · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | FAST | QRIS |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | ◐ | ✓ |
| Wallet Support | ◐ | ◐ |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | ✓ | ◐ |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | — |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | ◐ | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | ✓ | — |
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.
Indonesia's national QR code standard (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) that unifies QR payments across banks, e-wallets (GoPay, OVO, Dana, ShopeePay), and the BI-FAST rail into a single interoperable code. Unlike most payment systems that are a single rail, QRIS is a multi-rail standard — merchants display one QR code that consumers can scan with any participating app, with settlement happening through whichever rail the consumer's app uses. Mandated by Bank Indonesia, QRIS processed 34B+ transactions in 2024 and is central to Indonesia's financial inclusion strategy for its 17,000-island archipelago.