Wise links directly to PayNet for DuitNow QR in Malaysia

Wise has connected directly to PayNet, Malaysia's national payments network, giving it direct access to the country's domestic payment system. It is Wise's ninth such connection globally.

The link lets Wise users in Malaysia scan and pay with DuitNow QR in the Wise app, while adding new options for transfers in Malaysian ringgit through DuitNow.

Malaysia is the fifth Asia-Pacific market where Wise has secured direct access to a domestic payment system, joining Singapore, Australia, the Philippines and Japan, as well as the UK, Europe, Hungary and Brazil.

For customers, the most visible change is the addition of DuitNow QR payments. People living in or travelling to Malaysia can use the app to make instant purchases by scanning QR codes based on the national standard.

The rollout is being introduced progressively and is expected to extend to all DuitNow QR codes nationwide. The connection is intended to simplify day-to-day spending and domestic transfers for users.

Domestic transfers

The integration also supports DuitNow Transfer for local payments in Malaysian ringgit. Instead of entering full bank account details, users can send money using a recipient's mobile number or National Registration Identity Card number.

Before a transfer is confirmed, the recipient's name is shown for verification. This is designed to reduce errors and lower the risk of money being sent to the wrong person.

Wise's broader strategy is to connect directly with local payment infrastructure rather than rely on traditional intermediary banking arrangements. It says this approach can reduce costs and improve transaction times as more markets are added to the network.

Across its global transfers business, 77% of transfers are now processed within 20 seconds, twice the proportion recorded five years ago.

Platform access

The Malaysian connection also extends to Wise Platform, the company's service for banks and financial institutions. Partners using the Wise API will be able to use real-time recipient verification when setting up transfers in Malaysian ringgit, checking that the recipient's name matches the account before funds are sent.

PayNet operates the country's retail payment rails, including DuitNow for QR and account-to-account transfers, as well as JomPAY, FPX, MyDebit, MEPS and IBG. DuitNow also has interoperability links with payment schemes in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia.

The Malaysian connection strengthens Wise's broader infrastructure push to handle more of the payment flow directly in local markets. The company serves consumers and businesses through multi-currency accounts and international payments, while also supplying payment infrastructure to financial institutions.

In fiscal year 2026, Wise supported about 19 million people and businesses and processed more than USD $240 billion in cross-border transactions. Customers saved more than USD $3 billion over the period.

Yen Ting Chiam, Country Manager, Wise Malaysia, commented on the launch of the new local connection and QR payment support.

"Connecting directly to the local payment system and offering access to DuitNow QR is one example of how Wise is making moving money simpler. We want to take the friction out of everyday transactions in Malaysia, bringing greater ease and convenience to consumers," said Chiam.