Bank Indonesia (BI) will test cross-border QRIS links with Timor-Leste and Hong Kong, CNBC Indonesia reported. Sandbox trials start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

BI also set out four steps to stop QRIS being used for online gambling, according to Antara.

Governor Destry Damayanti said the plan is part of BI’s 2030 payment system blueprint. The trials let BI build and test each link before a wider rollout.

Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta said BI takes the misuse of QRIS for illegal payments very seriously.

First, BI wants payment firms and merchant aggregators to vet merchants more closely.

These checks cover each merchant’s type of business, legal status and payment patterns. BI also asked the firms to monitor merchants over time.

Second, BI aims to detect and curb suspicious payments. She cited a cilok snack seller that kept taking payments of the same amount at midnight, after closing.

Such cases call for action, she said. BI also draws on a blacklist of suspect merchants.

Third, BI will hold payment firms to account through routine checks on their merchants.

BI can limit or halt the business of a firm proven to take part in illegal payments. It can also revoke the firm’s licence.

Lastly, BI will work more closely with law enforcement and other state bodies.

Filianingsih added that growing QRIS is not the only goal. BI also wants the system to stay reliable and protect consumers.

Meanwhile, OJK has asked banks to review or block about 38,796 accounts suspected of online gambling.

It also asked banks to close accounts that share ID numbers with those suspected.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Indonesia, based on image by Dikarte via Magnific.