Banglalink, the digital operator arm of VEON Ltd., has been granted formal approval by Bangladesh Bank to operate as a payment service provider. The approval allows the company to launch a full suite of regulated money‑transfer and payment services, including instant person‑to‑person transfers, remittances, utility and government bill payments, merchant and e‑commerce transactions, and salary disbursements.
The approval is a key milestone in VEON’s DO1440 strategy, which seeks to deliver relevant digital services to customers throughout the day. Bangladesh’s financial landscape is still largely unbanked, with 72 % of the population outside the traditional banking system, creating a sizable opportunity for digital payment solutions. Banglalink’s nationwide network gives it a competitive advantage in reaching customers across the country.
Banglalink will compete directly with established players such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket. The company plans to differentiate itself by building a secure and inclusive digital payment ecosystem that leverages VEON’s global expertise and Banglalink’s local presence. Future service expansions are expected to include micro‑savings and insurance premium payments, positioning Banglalink as a comprehensive financial services provider.
VEON’s digital financial services segment reported 42.1 million monthly active users as of September 30, 2025, representing a 25 % year‑on‑year growth. The Bangladesh Bank approval expands the potential user base and aligns with VEON’s broader ambition to deepen financial inclusion in emerging markets.
"Digital financial services are a key pillar of our DO1440 strategy that is empowering our customers with relevant digital services for every minute of the day," said Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group. "The green light for Banglalink to launch payment services will enable us to bring financial services directly to customers’ fingertips while helping accelerate Bangladesh’s growth as a digital economy." "With Banglalink’s nationwide reach and VEON’s global capabilities, we are shaping a secure and inclusive digital payment ecosystem for Bangladesh," added Johan Buse, CEO of Banglalink.
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