NIC Asia Bank will enable its e-commerce payment gateway merchants to receive payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay, marking the first time such a service is available in Nepal. The new service is scheduled to commence on October 2, 2026.
Through this initiative, merchants using the bank’s e-commerce payment gateway will be able to accept payments from Visa and Mastercard users operating under Apple Pay and Google Pay. This development is expected to benefit Nepali e-commerce businesses by allowing them to receive direct digital payments from customers worldwide, including foreign tourists and non-resident Nepalis (NRNs).
The bank stated that the payment system will adhere to modern security encryption standards, ensuring secure and rapid transactions. This move is anticipated to play a crucial role in connecting Nepali businesses and e-commerce platforms with the global market, thereby adding a new dimension to Nepal’s digital banking system.
Background and regulatory landscape
NIC Asia Bank previously launched a card-based online payment gateway service in August 2020 through Cybersource Inc.’s gateway system, which allowed the acceptance of both national and international card payments. Nepal has seen a rapid expansion in the use of digital payment methods, including mobile and internet banking and QR payments, in recent years.
Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank, has been actively advancing international payment transaction processes, regulating foreign exchange transactions, and managing the country’s foreign currency reserves. Historically, the direct and full use of international digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay in Nepal was limited due to factors such as market size, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards.
In a broader effort to enhance the security and international standards of Nepal’s digital payment system, the government has proposed extensive amendments to the ‘Payment and Settlement Act, 2075’.
What to expect next
NIC Asia Bank plans to hold a press conference to provide more detailed information regarding this new service. The new technology is widely expected to foster greater integration of Nepali businesses with the global economy.
Concurrently, Nepal Rastra Bank has issued stringent directives for payment service providers, revising the standards related to their operation, management, and activities. Proposed amendments to the ‘Payment and Settlement Act, 2075’ include new conditions for foreign-invested payment providers, mandatory testing (sandbox) before launching new technologies, and provisions for Nepal Rastra Bank to provide liquidity facilities during financial crises.
Unanswered questions
Specific details regarding the fees applicable to merchants or customers for transactions through this service, as well as transaction limits, have not yet been disclosed. The detailed process and requirements for merchants to integrate this service into their e-commerce platforms also remain unclear. Furthermore, it is not yet explicit whether this service will be exclusively available to NIC Asia Bank’s e-commerce payment gateway merchants or if other e-commerce platforms will also be able to utilize it. Additional information regarding currency conversion and other card-related requirements (beyond Visa/Mastercard) for international customers using Apple Pay or Google Pay is also pending.
