Jakarta, INTI – The surge of digital payment use in Indonesia has now entered a new phase. Financial digitalization is no longer only growing in major cities, but has begun to penetrate rural areas significantly. During a working visit to Sragen Regency, Central Java on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid revealed that more than 250,000 Sragen residents have utilized the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) payment method in their economic activities.
QRIS Penetration Reaches Village Level
Meutya explained that the implementation of QRIS has penetrated rural communities, including Sribit Village, where 35 percent of its residents are now active QRIS users. Most users are local economic actors such as traders in Pasar Tambak, agricultural produce sellers, bamboo craftsmen, and home-based business owners. By using QRIS, these businesses not only serve local markets, but can also market their products outside the region in a much easier, practical, and efficient way.
National QRIS Users Surpass Credit Card Users
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the number of QRIS users nationwide has reached more than 50 million people. This figure has even surpassed the number of credit card users in Indonesia. The rapid growth has drawn the attention of other electronic payment service providers, as QRIS is also starting to be used in several Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, and even East Asian countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea.
Indonesia Pushes QRIS Expansion to the Middle East
The government is currently pursuing strategic steps to enable QRIS adoption in the United Arab Emirates. If realized, QRIS has the potential to become a cross-border payment solution without relying on foreign currencies. This policy is believed to help maintain rupiah stability and strengthen international transaction ecosystems based on national digital payment systems.
Conclusion
The rapid adoption of QRIS in Sragen proves that Indonesia’s digital economic transformation is progressing effectively and equitably. Payment innovation through QRIS not only simplifies transactions, but also expands market access, strengthens competitiveness for local economic actors, and becomes a strategic step toward national independence in digital payment systems.
Read More: Fintech Promotes Financial Inclusion Through Digital Technology