Colombia’s instant payment system, Bre-B, revolutionized payments in Colombia and surpassed a historic milestone after six months of operation. The platform has registered 103.38 million keys since its official launch on Oct. 6, 2025. According to Banco de la Republica (Central Bank) data as of April 5, 2026, the system has more than 34 million registered users and has processed 638.69 million transactions at an average value of 157,193 pesos (US$43) each.
“We are very pleased with the reception Bre-B has received, as well as with the work carried out by the entire financial system,” said Ana Maria Prieto, director of payment systems at Banco de la Republica. She added that “the last six months of operation show us that Colombians are benefiting from Bre-B by sending and receiving money across more than 200 financial institutions.”
Bre-B addresses a long-standing gap in Colombia’s financial system: The lack of interoperability between banks and digital wallets. Before its launch, transfers between different institutions took hours or even days to clear. Now, funds reach their destination in under 20 seconds. This places Colombia among the regional leaders in payment infrastructure modernization.
Colombia’s instant payment system, Bre-B, revolutionized payments: how it works
The Central Bank developed Bre-B as a technological infrastructure to unify electronic payments. Rather than requiring users to download a standalone application, the system operates as a built-in functionality within existing banking apps and digital wallets. This architecture enables any individual to send money instantaneously using only a simplified identifier known as a “key.”
The use of keys eliminates the need to share long account numbers or sensitive security data. Furthermore, the service is free for individuals in most low-value operations. The goal is to reduce cash usage and promote financial inclusion in unbanked sectors. Thanks to this technology, small businesses can receive digital payments immediately without high costs.
Financial inclusion and local payment autonomy
Colombia’s adoption of Bre-B reflects a regional shift toward financial sovereignty and massive banking inclusion. Unlike traditional credit card networks that rely on foreign entities and high processing fees, these local systems allow for micro-payments without international intermediaries.
This model follows the successful path of Costa Rica’s SINPE Movil, which, since 2015, has enabled citizens to conduct small daily transactions using only their mobile phone numbers.
Similarly, Brazil’s Pix has proven since 2020 that local instant payment infrastructures can bring millions of unbanked citizens into the formal economy. By providing a free and immediate alternative to cash, these systems empower street vendors and small entrepreneurs.
Mexico has also reinforced this trend with CoDi and Dimo, focusing on reducing the barriers for low-income populations to access digital finance. Bre-B leverages these Latin American experiences to ensure that digital payments are accessible, secure, and independent of global credit networks.
Practical guide: how to obtain and register your key
Users register their Bre-B keys directly through their preferred local financial institution. Foreign nationals residing in or visiting Colombia can utilize the system if they hold an active account in a Colombian bank or digital wallet. To begin the registration, users must log in to their financial application and navigate to the “Bre-B” or “Manage Keys” section. The central bank currently authorizes four unique identifiers to link accounts:
- Mobile phone number: The most common identifier for personal transfers.
- Identification number (ID): Includes the Colombian National ID (Cedula de Ciudadanía) or Foreigner ID (Cedula de Extranjeria/Passport for registered accounts).
- Email address: A digital alternative linked to the user’s identity.
- Alphanumeric code (Proxy): A system-generated identifier for increased privacy.
After selecting the type of key, the user must confirm the link to the destination account for the funds. Each key is exclusive and can only be associated with a single bank account within the ecosystem. However, a single user can register different identifiers for various accounts. For instance, one can link a mobile number to a digital wallet and an email address to a traditional savings account.
Finally, once the key is registered, the user can receive money by sharing that identifier with the sender. The system validates the information and transfers funds instantaneously, regardless of the originating bank.
This protocol ensures that transactions operate under technical standards of speed and security for all Colombian citizens and residents.