Uzbekistan's central bank approves rules for national payment switch

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has approved rules for retail settlements through the national payment switch. The Ministry of Justice registered the document on 23 October. All domestic payments in sums made by bank cards and e-wallets will pass through the system, operated by the Main Informatization Center under the central bank.

Banks can join the switch as direct participants, while payment organisations and e-money operators connect directly but must transact through a settlement bank. Participants must maintain sufficient liquidity, meet anti-money laundering rules and protect personal data. Applications may take up to 30 working days to review, assessed on technical readiness, cybersecurity and risk management. Refusals based on unpublished criteria are prohibited.

The regulation takes effect on 25 January 2027, three months after publication. In November 2025, the president ordered a unified switch system through which all domestic payments in sums must pass. The central bank must prepare the legal framework by the end of 2026 for the system's 2027 launch.