Primorsky Krai embraces QR and biometric payments in record numbers

Residents of Primorsky Krai are turning to digital payment methods in growing numbers. The first quarter of 2026 saw a sharp rise in the use of QR codes and biometric authentication for transactions. This trend reflects broader changes in how people in the region handle their finances. Between January and March 2026, 13.8 million payments were made using QR codes or biometric authentication in Primorsky Krai. These transactions added up to 19.5 billion rubles. Overall, 39.2% of all cashless payments in the region during this period used these methods.

The growth is significant compared to previous years. Usage of QR and biometric payments increased by 1.4 times since early 2025. It also rose by 8.9 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025. Olga Popova, head of the Payment Systems and Settlements Department at the Bank of Russia’s Far Eastern branch, attributed the rise to consumer convenience and lower transaction costs.

Cashless payments as a whole reached 320 billion rubles in the first quarter of 2026. Bank card transactions alone totalled nearly 199.4 million, worth 458.5 billion rubles. Mobile banking app payments also grew by 10% in volume, surpassing 3 trillion rubles. Online banking transactions increased by 1.3 times during the same period. The shift towards digital payments in Primorsky Krai is clear. QR codes and biometric authentication now account for a large share of cashless transactions. The trend is supported by rising mobile and online banking activity across the region.