The growth was driven by the convenience of paying for goods and services online and in stores, as well as the development of infrastructure for accepting cashless payments. These figures clearly confirm a global trend: Moldovans are increasingly moving away from cash in favor of digital payments.
From a personal finance perspective, the rapid rise in the popularity of bank cards presents users with both new opportunities and hidden risks.
Convenient and accessible, but requires caution
The increase in the number of cards in circulation indicates that banking products have become accessible to virtually every citizen, and many people now have several cards for different purposes (payroll, social benefits, credit, and virtual cards).
Changing consumer habits indicate that people no longer use cards solely as a tool for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Cards are now widely used to pay for small purchases, utility bills, and public transportation fares.
Faced with fierce competition, many banks in Moldova offer cashback ranging from 1% to 5% (and sometimes even more through partner programs) on the amount of non-cash purchases. With active card use, this generates significant passive income.
Experts advise signing up for cashback and bonus programs so that your payment cards work for you, rather than just sitting in your wallet.
However, the rapid growth of the cashless environment requires increased financial vigilance. Experts advise paying attention to hidden risks: check the terms and conditions of your cards.
Some banks charge fees for monthly maintenance or SMS notifications if the minimum transaction limit is not met. Psychologically, it’s much easier to part with virtual money on a card than with physical bills, and the risk of impulse purchases increases. Be sure to set daily transaction limits in the app.
Also, remember never to share your card information with anyone or click on suspicious links. Telephone scammers (and others) are active in the country.
According to the NBM, in 2025, the automated domestic payment system (SAPI) processed 31.2 million transactions totaling 1,503.2 billion lei, of which 15.1 million transactions totaling 13.3 billion lei were processed through the MIA instant payment system.
Electronic payment instruments with remote access (IPAD) continue to gain popularity. In 2025, the number of active IPAD holders increased by 14.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 1.74 million. This trend is primarily driven by the growth in the number of users of mobile banking systems.
Why Are Cashless Payments on the Rise?
There are several key reasons for Moldovans’ rapid shift to cashless payments. Effective July 1, 2025, the State Tax Service required certain categories of economic agents to accept cashless payments. This significantly expanded the network of POS terminals at retail locations throughout the country.
The Instant Payment System (MIA), introduced by the National Bank of Moldova, has simplified transfers between citizens and businesses, making them free or extremely inexpensive, as well as instantaneous.
E-commerce is also making a significant contribution. Shopping at foreign and local online stores has become a widespread phenomenon, which has also greatly boosted transaction statistics.
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