The Digital Economy Law for Digital and Electronic Payments is published

On November 4, 2026, the Decree issuing the Digital Economy Law for Digital and Electronic Payments (hereinafter, the “Law”) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation.

This occurs within a context where, according to the 2024 National Survey of Financial Inclusion, most everyday transactions in Mexico are still settled in cash, despite the country having infrastructure such as the Interbank Electronic Payment System (SPEI), payment schemes using QR codes and cell phone numbers (CoDi and DiMo), and account levels with simplified requirements that allow for remote account opening. The gap, according to the explanatory memorandum of the initiative that gave rise to the Law, lies not in the infrastructure itself but in its adoption, and the objective of the Law is to close the gap between the available infrastructure and its effective use, so that anyone can pay digitally.

I. Objective

The purpose of this Law is to promote the adoption and implementation of Electronic and Digital Payment Methods (EDPMs) in order to bridge the gap between available infrastructure and its effective use, so that anyone can pay digitally. The Law also seeks to foster financial inclusion, contribute to the formalization of micro and small businesses, and facilitate the creation of a transaction history that allows access to formal credit.

The adoption of MPEDs aims to produce a positive impact on people's lives and on business operations. Among the main benefits highlighted by the Law are:

• The increase in efficiency, security and reduction of transaction costs, since digital payment is made in real time and comes with an electronic receipt;
• Facilitating payments and transfers immediately and remotely, without being subject to schedules or a specific location;
• The development of a financial history and credit profile, and with it, access to other financial products;
• The reduction of barriers to participation in the formal economy, the reduction of risk associated with handling cash, as well as the increase in sales opportunities and the opening to other financial services.

The adoption of digital payments produces, without additional administrative effort, a verifiable record that constitutes a transactional history useful for demonstrating the ability to pay to financial institutions.

II. Trust mechanisms for financial services

The Law provides two trust mechanisms in its Second Title: the Digital CURP and the Digital Citizen File.

The Digital CURP, regulated by the General Population Law, may be accepted as a valid identification mechanism for contracting financial services, in addition to other currently valid mechanisms. Meanwhile, the Digital Citizen File, regulated by the National Law to Eliminate Bureaucratic Procedures, may be used to consult or access documents or information belonging to users, who may request the information contained therein from the relevant entities at any time. Furthermore, all documents contained in the file will have the same legal effect as physical documents issued in accordance with current regulations.

III. Implementation of payment methods

The Law establishes the following obligations for the three levels of government, as well as for individuals who carry out commercial acts habitually and professionally:

• Enable the necessary infrastructure for receiving MPEDs for processing procedures and services;
• Inform MPED users of their activation;
• Take measures to address circumstances that prevent its acceptance;
• Implement any other action to promote the use of MPEDs in the procedures, goods and services they offer.

For its part, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) will have the authority to determine the strategic sectors and relevant activities in which electronic payments may be the sole means of payment. The SHCP has 15 business days after the publication of the Law in the Official Gazette of the Federation to publish this determination. Likewise, the competent authorities must issue the administrative provisions to establish the conditions, requirements, obligations, and procedures for accepting electronic payments as the sole means of payment in these sectors.

Although the Law seeks the implementation of MPEDs as the only form of payment in certain sectors and activities, it provides for the possibility of payment by check or cash in case of contingency.

With respect to the three levels of government, the Law expressly indicates that they will not receive additional resources to implement the technology and infrastructure necessary to accept MPEDs as means of payment, so these expenditures must come from their approved budget.

IV. Adoption and use: role of the Bank of Mexico and the Entities 

The Bank of Mexico (“Banxico”) may, among other things:

• Expand the levels of operation of demand deposit accounts, in order to generate alternatives that adapt to the needs of people and encourage the use of MPED;
• Implement tools or programs to facilitate the use of electronic transfers;
• Issue provisions aimed at standardizing the user experience of the Entities' applications; and
• Issue general provisions, in conjunction with the National Banking and Securities Commission, whose supervision will be in charge of said Commission, so that the Entities also allow the receipt of payments by MPED through QR codes.

For their part, the Entities must carry out, among others, the following actions:

• Promote financial inclusion for the population; and
• Facilitate the granting of credits, financing and loans through digital means.

V. Procedures and technological solutions

The Law establishes that the three levels of government will be responsible for adopting and implementing Technological Solutions, such as the Digital CURP, the Digital Citizen File for individuals and legal entities, the National Digital Investment Window and the Commercial Establishments Platform.

VI. Transitional Provisions

The Decree issuing the Law will enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation.

It is important to note that, although the Law is already in force, it will be relevant to follow up on the secondary regulations that must be issued by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), and the National Banking and Securities Commission, within the timeframes and terms provided for in the transitional articles, as well as the determination of the strategic sectors and relevant activities in which electronic payment methods will be the only means of payment.