After years of waiting, people in Bangladesh may finally get official access to Google Pay, also known as Google Wallet. According to sources in the fintech industry, Google is preparing to launch the service in Bangladesh within the next month.
What Is Google Pay?
Google Pay is a digital wallet that allows people to make payments using their smartphones. Instead of carrying cards (also known as plastic money), users can make contactless payments using their Android phones at stores, restaurants, and even for air travel and movie tickets.
Only City Bank Users Can Use It First
At the beginning, only City Bank cardholders will be able to use Google Pay. They can connect their Visa and Mastercard (including local Bangladeshi currency cards) to the Google Wallet app.
Users will be able to pay at any terminal that supports NFC (Near Field Communication) by simply tapping their phone.
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More Banks to Join Later
Sources said that other banks in Bangladesh will join the Google Pay system gradually. This step will help make digital payments easier and more common across the country.
Until now, Google Pay was not available in Bangladesh because it was not connected to local banking systems. But now, with City Bank and Google working together, that is about to change.
Why This Is Important
A senior banker said that this launch could completely change the way people in Bangladesh make payments. It will make retail shopping and online payments faster, safer, and easier.
As more banks join and more people start using digital wallets, Bangladesh is likely to move towards a cashless economy.
Digital Payment in Other Countries
- India is leading the region in digital payments. As of December 2024, 93% of digital payments by volume and 92% by value were made through UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
- Out of that, Google Pay alone handled 51% of the total transaction value.
- Pakistan officially launched Google Pay on 12 March 2025, marking a big step in their digital finance journey.
- Google Pay is already in use in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore in Southeast Asia.
Does Google Pay Need Approval from Bangladesh Bank?
According to fintech insiders:
- Google Wallet will not store user data, and all transactions will be handled by the user’s own bank.
- There is no need for direct approval from Bangladesh Bank for launching the app.
- However, before providing Google Wallet services to their clients, banks are required to notify the central bank.
Will Google Charge Any Fees?
Google Wallet does not charge users for regular activities like:
- In-store payments
- Online purchases
- Sending money to friends using a linked bank account or debit card
But banks may charge fees depending on:
- The type of card used
- Whether the payment is local or international
- If foreign currency is involved
For payments made inside Bangladesh using Bangladeshi cards, extra charges are not likely, unless Google routes the payment through international servers.
Current Payment Options in Bangladesh
People in Bangladesh already use various local mobile payment platforms like:
- bKash
- Rocket
- Upay
These are simple to use and generally accepted. For digital and online payments, credit and debit cards are also widely used.
What Local Payment Services Think
Mobile Financial Service (MFS) providers, like bKash, operate under strict rules set by the Bangladesh Bank.
A senior official at bKash said:
“We want a level playing field. Google Pay is an international platform. Its impact on local platforms like bKash must be considered.”
bKash alone handles over 1.5 crore (15 million) transactions per day, showing how important local platforms are in everyday life.
Source: TBS
