Resources & Insights · Market News
Philippine Payment Processing Fees in 2026: What Southeast Asian Merchants Should Know
Key Takeaways
- Some payment providers in the Philippines are showing upward pricing pressure, but the available evidence does not establish a single increase across the market.
- BSP Memorandum M-2026-025 (June 2026) lifted the moratorium on fee increases for InstaPay and PESONet transactions. It does not require providers to raise their charges.
- BSP's prescribed transfer-pricing mechanism covers domestic person-to-person transfers only. Merchant, corporate, card and cross-border transactions fall outside it.
- QR Ph (person-to-merchant, fees borne by merchants) and InstaPay QR (person-to-person) are different services, so confirm which one a quotation covers.
- Compare revised quotations on payment method, total cost, effective date, service conditions and performance, and review each Southeast Asian market separately.
Businesses accepting payments in the Philippines are navigating changing commercial terms alongside stronger expectations for merchant identification and transaction monitoring.
Recent partner discussions and a supplier message reviewed by Help2Pay indicate upward pricing pressure among some payment providers. Experiences differ between counterparties, and the available evidence does not establish a single increase applying across the Philippine market.
For merchants operating across Southeast Asia, the practical priority is understanding what has changed in their own payment arrangement: the processing fee, the services included, and the effect on collections, payouts and settlement.
What has changed in Philippine payment pricing?
In June 2026, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued Memorandum M-2026-025, lifting the moratorium on fee increases for InstaPay and PESONet transactions alongside the revised regulatory framework.
The memorandum allows a more responsive pricing environment while retaining oversight and consumer protection. It does not require payment providers to increase their charges. Read the BSP memorandum.
The distinction between different payment services is essential. BSP’s accompanying FAQ says the prescribed transfer-pricing mechanism applies to domestic person-to-person electronic fund transfers. Merchant, corporate, card and cross-border transactions fall outside that particular mechanism. A change to personal transfer rules therefore cannot automatically explain a merchant’s payment gateway quotation. See BSP FAQ, question 4.
Why some providers may adjust merchant fees
A merchant processing rate can cover several services, including payment acceptance, reconciliation, settlement, support and risk management.
Changes in upstream commercial terms or the cost of delivering those services may lead a provider to revise its quotation. The impact will depend on the payment method, merchant profile, transaction volume and contractual arrangement.
Stronger oversight also makes visibility into the underlying merchant important. In its May 2026 memorandum, the BSP reiterated that supervised institutions retain primary responsibility for relevant anti-money-laundering controls when payment aggregators participate.
The guidance calls for access to sub-merchant information, transaction-level data and risk profiles, alongside monitoring and measures against misuse of merchant QR codes. It also requires clear differentiation between merchant and personal accounts. Read the BSP merchant oversight memorandum.
These requirements help explain the operational responsibilities behind payment acceptance. They do not establish that a particular supplier’s increase is necessary or proportionate.
QR Ph and InstaPay QR serve different purposes
Merchants should confirm which payment service their quotation covers.
In a July 2026 announcement, the BSP and Philippine Payments Management, Inc. distinguished QR Ph, used for person-to-merchant payments with transaction fees borne by merchants, from InstaPay QR, used for person-to-person transfers where fees may depend on the account used. Read the BSP announcement.
This matters when comparing offers. A consumer transfer charge, a merchant acceptance fee and a bundled gateway rate can represent different services, even when each payment begins with scanning a QR code.
How merchants should compare revised quotations
Before accepting new Philippine payment processing fees, request a written comparison covering:
- Payment method: Which bank, wallet or QR service does the rate apply to?
- Total cost: Are collection, payout, settlement, currency conversion and other charges quoted separately?
- Effective date: When will the adjustment begin, and which transactions will it affect?
- Service conditions: Have limits, settlement timing, reserves or merchant eligibility changed?
- Performance: How do successful payments, payout completion and support response compare with the previous arrangement?
Compare equivalent transaction types and volumes. A lower advertised percentage may offer less value if it comes with additional charges or unsuitable settlement terms.
What this means for businesses across Southeast Asia
A Philippine pricing adjustment should prompt a review of Philippine payment arrangements. It does not establish that the same change applies to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam.
Regional merchants benefit from assessing each market separately while maintaining a consistent view of total payment costs and service performance. This makes it easier to identify whether a revised quotation reflects a local development, a particular supplier’s terms or a change in the services provided.
Help2Pay supports discussions around local payment methods, deposits and payouts across Asian markets. Businesses reviewing their Philippine setup can explore our coverage and contact our team to discuss their payment methods, expected volumes and settlement requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Did the BSP require merchant payment processing fees to increase in 2026?
No. BSP Memorandum M-2026-025 lifted the moratorium on fee increases for InstaPay and PESONet transactions, allowing a more responsive pricing environment while keeping oversight and consumer protection in place. It does not require payment providers to increase their charges. Any change to a merchant's rate depends on that provider's own commercial terms and services.
Do the new person-to-person transfer pricing rules apply to merchant payments?
No. According to the BSP's FAQ on the revised framework, the prescribed pricing mechanism applies to domestic person-to-person electronic fund transfers through InstaPay or PESONet. It does not cover card-based transactions, transactions involving corporate clients or merchants, or cross-border transactions.
What is the difference between QR Ph and InstaPay QR?
QR Ph is used for person-to-merchant payments, with transaction fees borne by merchants. InstaPay QR is used for person-to-person transfers, where fees may depend on the account used. Both begin with scanning a QR code, so check which service a fee or quotation actually refers to.
What should merchants check before accepting a revised Philippine quotation?
Ask for a written comparison covering the payment method the rate applies to, the total cost (collection, payout, settlement and currency conversion), the effective date, any changes to limits, settlement timing, reserves or eligibility, and how performance compares with the previous arrangement. Compare equivalent transaction types and volumes.
Does a Philippine pricing change affect other Southeast Asian markets?
Not automatically. A Philippine adjustment should prompt a review of Philippine payment arrangements, but it does not establish that the same change applies to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam. Assess each market separately while keeping a consistent view of total payment costs and service performance.
