Geusseppe Gonzalez, head for Latin America at Access Partnership: “Colombia’s new instant payment system, Bre-B, represents a vital step toward digital financial inclusion and interoperability. Modeled after Brazil’s successful Pix platform and leveraging a decade of persistent internet growth (mainly mobile), Bre-B allows consumers and businesses to make real-time transfers 24/7 using only a phone number, ID or code. For consumers, this means faster, cheaper, and more convenient payments without relying on cash or traditional banking hours. For businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises—it lowers transaction costs, reduces payment delays and opens new opportunities for digital commerce and innovation. It is to be said that the system’s rapid adoption—30 million registered users within weeks—reflects pent-up demand for more agile financial tools and the credibility of the Banco de la República as a neutral operator. Bre-B’s integration with existing bank apps and digital wallets eliminates a series of frictions, while strong public-private collaboration with banks and fintechs has boosted consumer trust. From a policy perspective…”