Gkash Strengthens Malaysian Payment Infrastructure with Direct PayNet Participation

Gkash Sdn Bhd (“Gkash”), a Malaysian payment solutions provider and merchant acquirer, announced today that it is now directly connected to Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (“PayNet”) as a direct participant. This move significantly strengthens the infrastructure behind its DuitNow QR, MyDebit, and FPX payment services, offering more streamlined payment acceptance for Malaysian businesses.

A More Direct Connection to Malaysia’s Payment Infrastructure

The new direct-participant model creates a more streamlined connection between Gkash and PayNet’s national payment ecosystem. This reduces reliance on intermediary payment-participant layers, giving Gkash greater control over integration and transaction operations for its supported services. For merchants, this enhanced infrastructure can lead to simpler payment flows, greater service reliability, and a platform better positioned for growth in transaction volumes.

Traditionally, transactions involving an intermediary payment participant include an additional layer between the merchant acquirer and PayNet. As a direct participant, Gkash’s supported payment flows can now connect more directly with PayNet, simplifying the overall infrastructure. This is particularly relevant as businesses increasingly need to accept payments across both physical and digital channels. For background on how these rails fit together, see our explainer on how Malaysia’s payment system works and PayNet & the regulators.

One Ecosystem Across QR, Card and Online Banking

Through Gkash, merchants can now more seamlessly support three widely used Malaysian payment methods:

• DuitNow QR: For interoperable QR payments through participating banks and e-wallets (see DuitNow explained).
• MyDebit: For debit-card payments at physical acceptance points.
• FPX: For online banking payments, a familiar option for e-commerce and other digital transactions.

Together, these payment methods cover key customer payment journeys. By connecting these payment rails with its broader portfolio of online and in-store payment gateway and in-store solutions, Gkash is working towards a more unified payment experience for merchants.

This direct participation also represents a broader milestone in Gkash’s development as a Malaysian payment provider, reinforcing its commitment to building payment infrastructure that is locally connected, scalable, and designed around the day-to-day needs of businesses.

FinDeskAsia tracks Malaysia’s payments infrastructure. New to how it all fits together? Start with How Malaysia’s Payment System Works and PayNet & the Regulators.