Uzbekistan continues reformation of cashless payment system. In line with Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. \u0423\u041f-246 dated December 10, 2025, aimed at promotion of cashless payments and bringing businesses out of the shadow economy, domestic banks, together with payment system operators, are actively expanding their acquiring network across the country.<\/p>\n
At the same time, new card products are being launched, targeting different population groups, including the so-called unbanked segment \u2013 citizens who previously had no bank accounts or use financial services.<\/p>\n
Particular attention is paid to pilot projects launched in 2025. One of them is the Moment card, developed by the UZCARD payment system. The project aims to simplify access to banking services and make it possible to open cards without visiting bank offices and branches.<\/p>\n
The Moment card allows for remote activation via the bank\u2019s mobile app. Moreover, all financial transactions become accessible only after completion of remote identification procedures and in strict compliance with information security requirements.<\/p>\n
The project was implemented with the regulatory support of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In particular, amendments and additions were made to the Regulation on the rules for the issuance and circulation of bank cards in the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to the new requirements, the issuance of pre-issued bank cards no longer requires the physical display of the cardholder\u2019s first and last name.<\/p>\n
Support from the regulator, as well as partner banks Universal Bank and Davr Bank, made it possible to launch a new format for interaction with the public. This applies to citizens who have not previously visited bank branches in person, as well as to expanding the possibilities for remote access to the banking system.<\/p>\n
As part of the Moment project, the UZCARD payment system, in collaboration with banks, has implemented a mechanism for distribution of cards outside the branch network. The cards are distributed on-site – at markets, train stations, the metro, bus stops, as well as in regional and rural areas. At the distribution stage, the card is not activated and is not linked to a bank account, which fully complies with the regulator\u2019s requirements.<\/p>\n
By the end of 2025, over 140 thousand Moment cards had been issued within the framework of the project. The key participants in the project were Hamkor Bank, MKB Bank, Davr Bank and Universal Bank. Agro bank, BRB, “My Bank” and Xalq bank, whose branch network is one of the most extensive in the republic, are in the launch stage.<\/p>\n
In addition, the payment organization Alif, together with Davr Bank, developed a co-branded card \u201cMoment.\u201d Its distribution launch is planned for the end of the first quarter of 2026 with a volume of 1 million cards.<\/p>\n
As for the use of the Moment card, during 2025, the majority of transactions were e-commerce payments, amounting to 72%. The remaining 28% of transactions were distributed between operations via POS terminals (20%) and ATMs (8%). The activity level of issued cards exceeded 70%.<\/p>\n
The current dynamics show that the new model for issue of bank cards is viable and scalable. It provides remote access for the population to the banking system without the direct participation of the bank\u2019s branch network.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Moment card can be considered as one of the tools for payments at gas-filling stations. From April 1, 2026 onwards, Uzbekistan will introduce a requirement that payments for the sale of oil and gas products to the public shall be made solely using bank cards or electronic payment systems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20820,"template":"","categories":[102],"class_list":["post-20816","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":{"news_gallery":false},"yoast_head":"\n