TOKYO/SINGAPORE/BANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR — Making payments through scanning QR codes with smartphones is expanding rapidly in Southeast Asia, with countries like Malaysia and Cambodia leading the growth in transactions.
QR payments started to spread in the emerging region several years ago due to low bank account ownership levels, scarce ATM networks in rural areas and the arrival of low-priced smartphones. The trend has spread thanks partly to the introduction of tourist services and cross-border links.
