Русский
Russia’s VTB bank has launched a QR code payment service in Indonesia and the Philippines, the bank has announced. In Indonesia, the service works via the QRIS national payment standard, used at over 40 million sales points across the country. In the Philippines, payments can be made via local payment systems, which cover a broad network of stores, restaurants, and services.
In order to make a payment, the client must open the VTB Online application, scan the QR code on the bill or at the cash desk with their smartphone, and the sum in rubles will be withdrawn from the client’s account automatically, converted into the local currency at the bank’s exchange rate, without a commission.
VTB has already launched QR code payments in Argentina, Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, China, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Tajikistan, and other countries.
Since January 2026, VTB clients have already made over 1 million payments via QR code abroad, for total amounts in excess of ₽3.5 billion (US$40.4 million). The average transaction was about ₽3,000 (US$35). The QR payments system is especially useful for assisting the tourism sector.
The tourist flow confirms the relevance of this solution. Denis Manturov, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister has previously reported that the tourist flow from Russia to Indonesia grew by 22% in 2025, with 220 000 Russians visiting the country last year. The mutual growth is due to the established direct air services, currently, there are three flights per week between Moscow and Bali.
The Philippines is also actively working to attract Russian tourists. In total, ASEAN countries welcomed about 2.1 million Russians in 2025, most of whom travelled for vacations.
