QR codes went from curiosity to payment standard in just a few years. In Singapore, SGQR has made them universal. Here's how the technology actually works.
Two Types of QR Payment
Merchant-Presented QR
The merchant displays a static or dynamic QR code. You scan it with your payment app, confirm the amount, and authorise. This is common at hawker stalls and small shops — no terminal needed, just a printed code.
Consumer-Presented QR
You display a QR code from your wallet app, and the merchant scans it with their terminal or phone. This is faster for high-volume environments like chain restaurants and retail stores.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
When you scan a QR code, your app decodes the merchant's payment details — their ID, the amount (if dynamic), and the payment network. Your app sends an authorisation request to the payment processor, which verifies your balance or card, completes the transfer, and confirms to both parties. The whole process takes 1-3 seconds.
SGQR: Singapore's Unified Standard
Before SGQR, merchants needed separate QR codes for each payment provider. SGQR combines them into one code that works with any compatible app — PayNow, GrabPay, or loyalty wallets like Experience Zeno.