Belarus has approved a new version of its instant payment system rules in connection with the introduction of the KROK service. The corresponding decision was made by Resolution No. 13 of the Board of the National Bank dated January 16, 2026, which will enter into force upon official publication. The KROK service is a national service for cashless instant QR payments from individuals to legal entities for goods (works, services), created using the SMP system and the ERIP payment system. This service allows payments to be processed in seconds. The service is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and does not require bank cards. Integration into the service will be implemented in stages. By July 1, 2026, banks included in Group I of the list of systemically important banks and non-bank credit and financial institutions are required to enable their clients to make domestic instant payments to legal entities for goods (works, services) using the KROK service. The remaining banks must join the service by December 1, 2026. Similar deadlines have been set for banks to ensure QR code generation in payer mode and trade (service) mode when processing such payments. The new version of the rules also sets a maximum remuneration (fee) payable by a legal entity to the recipient bank: it cannot exceed 0.8% of the payment amount. "The adopted amendments are aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of payment services, further developing non-cash payments, and ensuring technological uniformity in the country's payment space," the National Bank noted.
