8B on WeChat Pay’s Launch in Kazakhstan: A Win for Local Payments, Cross-Border Growth, and Smart Adaptation

In April 2025, Kazakhstan’s leading bank rolled out WeChat QR payments for merchants nationwide, enabling Chinese tourists to pay using their native mobile wallet, just as they would in Shenzhen or Shanghai. The integration uses Halyk’s existing QR infrastructure to deliver fast, secure transactions—zero extra fees, no added friction.
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“That’s what we believe in,” said Evgeny Karpov, Chief Commercial Officer at 8B.
“We should adapt to locally used payment methods globally. When a traveler shows up with WeChat, M-Pesa, or Pix—that’s the language of money in their world. If you want their business, you speak it."

Local Rails, Global Impact

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Kazakhstan’s move is more than tourism-friendly—it’s smart policy. Chinese travelers are the world’s biggest mobile payers, with 93% saying they prefer to use mobile wallets abroad if available (Nielsen). And while global networks struggle to bridge systems, LPMs like WeChat Pay move fast because they are embedded where it matters: in the customer’s hand.

Merchants benefit too. With onboarding via Halyk’s POS and online systems, it’s fast to go live—and fast to get paid.

Kazakhstan: Following a Global Playbook

The strategy isn’t unique—but the execution is timely. Countries like Thailand and the UAE have already seen surges in Chinese spending after enabling WeChat and Alipay. Kazakhstan is now positioning itself in the same lane—with broader implications for Central Asia’s digital economy.

And it’s not just China. 8B notes that cross-border LPM adoption is becoming the norm across corridors—from India to Brazil, Indonesia to Egypt. These platforms aren’t just “alternatives”—they’re the new default for billions.

The Bigger Picture: Ecosystem-Level Change

This rollout comes at a time when the global payment stack is being rebuilt from the ground up. Big brands and banks are finally recognizing what fintech and consumers have known for years: cards are optional—local is essential.

“The more interoperable we get, the faster trade and tourism flow,” Karpov added. “That’s why we partner with PSPs, regulators, and super apps—to get real rails in place, not just logos on terminals.”

References

Nielsen & Alipay, "Mobile Payment Usage Among Chinese Tourists" (2024)
The Astana Times, "Halyk Bank Launches WeChat Pay QR for Merchants" (April 2025)
KrAsia, "Kazakhstan Opens to Chinese Mobile Payments Through Halyk" (2025)
Reuters, "Thailand Sees Boost in Tourist Spending After Enabling WeChat Pay" (2024)
8B Internal Analysis, "LPM Penetration and Cross-Border Trends" (Q1 2025)

For partnership opportunities or regional payment insights, contact:
marketing@8b.world
www.8b.world