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Colombia has officially launched Bre-B, a new nationwide instant payments system modeled after Brazil’s Pix, offering full interoperability, 24/7 availability, and real-time settlement. The system’s full rollout began following a pilot phase that started on September 23, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital payments transformation.
Through a partnership between EBANX — a global fintech specializing in cross-border payment solutions — and MOVii, Latin America’s first “Banktech,” global merchants can now offer Bre-B payments to Colombian customers from the very first day of operation. MOVii provides the payment infrastructure that powers both issuing and acquiring functions for individuals and businesses.
According to Colombia’s central bank, over 30 million Colombians, representing 76% of the adult population, have already registered to use Bre-B. In contrast, only 18% of adults own credit cards, one of the lowest penetration rates in Latin America, reflecting a shift toward alternative digital payment methods.
“Bre-B is a game-changer for Colombia’s digital economy, just like Pix was for Brazil,” said Eduardo de Abreu, VP of Product at EBANX. “By integrating it from day one, we’re ensuring that Colombian consumers and businesses can engage with global e-commerce seamlessly.”
Colombia’s digital economy has grown at double-digit rates since 2019 and is projected to surpass USD 52 billion by 2025, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI). With Bre-B expected to accelerate this growth, forecasts suggest the market could reach USD 73 billion by 2028.
Building Bre-B: Lessons from Pix and Local Innovation
EBANX was among two fintechs invited by Colombia’s central bank to join the Interdisciplinary Committee for Interoperable Payments, helping design Bre-B’s framework. Drawing on insights from Brazil’s Pix, Bre-B features QR code payments, user ID keys (linked to national IDs, phone numbers, or emails), and mandatory interoperability to ensure seamless instant transfers.
However, unlike Pix, Colombia’s Bre-B is built on top of existing payment infrastructure, linking previously disconnected networks such as Transfiya, EntreCuentas, Credibanco, and Visionamos. This layered approach enables future integrations and expansion.
Through MOVii’s Smart Router, global merchants can connect to all Bre-B nodes via a single integration, with the system automatically selecting the most efficient transaction route. MOVii thus becomes the first “sponsor bank” to achieve full network connectivity.
At the core of Bre-B are two technological pillars managed by Colombia’s central bank — DICE, a centralized directory that maps users, and MOL, an operational settlement mechanism enabling instant interbank transfers while eliminating settlement risk.
Advancing Financial Inclusion
Beyond its technical achievements, Bre-B aims to deepen financial inclusion by linking to Family Compensation Funds (Cajas de Compensación Familiar) that serve 42% of Colombia’s population.
“Many of these individuals were previously excluded from digital finance,” explained Hernando Rubio, CEO of MOVii. “Bre-B allows them to shop online, pay for services, and participate in the digital economy without relying on cash.”
With over 80 million payment keys already issued — averaging nearly three per user — Bre-B demonstrates strong public demand for modern, inclusive, and efficient financial tools, setting the stage for Colombia’s next wave of digital transformation.
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