What is Bre-B?
Bre-B is Colombia's interoperable instant payment system, operated by Banco de la República and live since October 2025. It moves money 24/7 between banks and wallets using keys or QR codes, and reached about 240 million transactions a month in October 2026.
In detail
Bre-B is Colombia's interoperable instant payment system, built and operated by Banco de la República. It went live on October 6, 2025 and moves money 24/7 between banks and wallets in seconds. Users pay with a key, such as a phone number, ID number, email or alphanumeric alias, or by scanning a QR code.
How fast it grew
One year after launch, Bre-B handled about 240 million transactions a month and counted 110 million registered keys and 246 connected entities. Wallets such as Nequi and Daviplata take part, so the same transfer works across banks and apps. The central bank links the drop in cash preference partly to its rollout. The current cap is COP 12,110,000 per transaction in 2026.
Why it matters for commerce
Bre-B adds an account-to-account option next to PSE, the established bank payment button. QR codes make it usable in stores and for small online sellers, with immediate funds and no card involved.
What it means for payment operators
For PSPs, PayFacs, ISOs and ISVs serving Colombian merchants, Bre-B readiness is becoming part of the checkout. Adding it through a local provider, next to PSE, cards and wallets, and reconciling instant payments with orders, prepares merchants for the next stage of Colombian payments.