Blog 8B

Latest news in the world of finance from 8B

Visa and Mastercard in Uzbekistan: Why Uzcard and HUMO Dominate the Payment Landscape

While Visa and Mastercard are present in Uzbekistan, their domestic acceptance is limited. Instead, local payment systems Uzcard and HUMO power the majority of retail, salary, and pension transactions. With growing co-badging initiatives, Uzbek banks are bridging local networks with global payment systems, allowing users to transact seamlessly both at home and abroad.

21.10.2025

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Visa and Mastercard in Uzbekistan: Why Uzcard and HUMO Dominate the Payment Landscape

Uzbekistan fintech market ecosystem

The Uzbekistan fintech market has become one of the most dynamic and strategically structured ecosystems in Central Asia. It is a unique example of how Eastern planning can align with Western-style venture capital accessibility. With the government’s “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” strategy providing a clear direction and more than 40% of venture investment flowing into startups, the country is fueling a powerful transformation of its financial landscape. In July 2025, the country’s Fast Payment System processed more than $10.2 billion in transactions — a milestone that reflects the scale and velocity of digital finance adoption.

13.10.2025

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Kazakhstan launches pilot project using stablecoins to pay for licenses

Kazakhstan just kicked off a bold pilot letting firms pay license and supervisory fees in USD‑pegged stablecoins, a move announced by AFSA at Astana Finance Days 2025 with a Memorandum signed with Bybit.

09.09.2025

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Kazakhstan launches pilot project using stablecoins to pay for licenses

Central Asia E-commerce Market

What’s driving the explosion of the Central Asia e-commerce market: increasing internet penetration, more e-commerce platforms, and secure digital payment systems.

18.07.2025

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Markets and consumers

Kazakhstan: From Mining Giant to Fintech Hub

Back in October 2021, Kazakhstan made waves as the 2nd largest producer of Bitcoin, contributing to a staggering 27.3% of the global hashrate? However, this rapid rise was tempered by mining restrictions and stricter regulations on energy consumption.

05.05.2025

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Markets and consumers

Interview with our CBDO: Impressions from Money 20/20 Asia

At Money20/20 Asia 2025 in Bangkok, fintech visionaries gathered to decode the future of finance. Our Chief Business Development Officer, Bogdan Zadorozhny, shares his takeaways on everything from AI to stablecoins and why Central Asia is the next region to watch.

01.05.2025

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Industry highlights

EuropPA vs. Southeast Asia: Regional Interoperability Models Set the Stage for the Next Wave — Central Asia and the Caucasus

As global momentum for real-time, cross-border payment networks accelerates, two regions have taken the lead: Europe’s EuroPA initiative and Southeast Asia’s dynamic network of bilateral and multilateral payment linkages. Both models offer critical insights—not just into current payment innovation, but into the future architecture of interconnected economies.

29.04.2025

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Markets and consumers

QRIS Indonesia: Indonesia’s Unified QR Code Payment Solution with 8B Integration

QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is Indonesia’s national QR code payment standard, connecting over 200 banks, e-wallets (like OVO, ShopeePay, and DANA), and fintech platforms under one interoperable system.

25.04.2025

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O!Money: Kyrgyzstan’s Fintech Trailblazer and What Global PSPs Should Know

O!Money, operated by Kyrgyzstan’s O!Dengi, has emerged as a key player in the country’s underdeveloped but rapidly evolving fintech landscape. With its 2024 Visa card launch and focus on mobile payments, O!Money offers a blueprint for digital financial services in a market where 55% of adults remain unbanked (KPMG), yet mobile penetration exceeds 86%.

25.04.2025

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Markets and consumers

TBC Pay and the Future of Digital Payments in Georgia: Why It Matters

This article explores why TBC Pay is not just a payment platform—but a market signal, a policy tool, and a regional blueprint.

23.04.2025

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Markets and consumers

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

The launch of WeChat Pay in Kazakhstan, powered by Halyk Bank, marks a turning point in regional cross-border payments—and a powerful example of how local ecosystems are rising to meet global demand.

17.04.2025

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Industry highlights

The Escalation of US-China Tariffs: LPMs Offer Resilience in a Fragmented Global Economy

Following the implementation of sweeping 104% US tariffs on Chinese exports and the reverberating effects across Asian markets, 8B provides analysis on how these macroeconomic shifts impact Local Payment Methods (LPMs)—the core infrastructure enabling resilient commerce in emerging economies. As a platform focused on empowering localized payment rails and PSPs, 8B emphasizes that LPMs are not only vital under normal conditions, but crucial in times of geopolitical and financial disruption.

09.04.2025

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Markets and consumers

Blog 8B

Visa and Mastercard in Uzbekistan: Why Uzcard and HUMO Dominate the Payment Landscape

Uzbekistan fintech market ecosystem

Kazakhstan launches pilot project using stablecoins to pay for licenses

Central Asia E-commerce Market

Kazakhstan: From Mining Giant to Fintech Hub

Interview with our CBDO: Impressions from Money 20/20 Asia

EuropPA vs. Southeast Asia: Regional Interoperability Models Set the Stage for the Next Wave — Central Asia and the Caucasus

QRIS Indonesia: Indonesia’s Unified QR Code Payment Solution with 8B Integration

O!Money: Kyrgyzstan’s Fintech Trailblazer and What Global PSPs Should Know

TBC Pay and the Future of Digital Payments in Georgia: Why It Matters

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

The Escalation of US-China Tariffs: LPMs Offer Resilience in a Fragmented Global Economy

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