Bank Mandiri Cross-Border QR Transactions Jump 137% in Q1 2026 After China Expansion

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Bank Mandiri’s Cross-Border QR Transactions Surge 137% in Q1 2026 as China Expansion Strengthens Global Payment Reach – PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk recorded significant growth in its cross-border payment services during the first quarter of 2026. As of March 2026, transaction value through Bank Mandiri’s Cross-Border QR service soared 137% year-on-year (YoY) to Rp54 billion.

Bank Mandiri Expands Cross-Border QRIS to China

Most recently, Bank Mandiri expanded its international QRIS connectivity by launching Cross-Border QR services in China through Livin’ by Mandiri.

Jan Winston Tambunan, Director of Network and Retail Banking at Bank Mandiri, stated that this expansion is a strategic response to the growing global transaction needs of customers.

“The very significant growth in cross-border transactions reflects a shift in customer behavior toward global digital payments. Expansion into China is an important step to ensure customers can transact easily and seamlessly in one of the world’s largest digital payment ecosystems,” Jan said in an official statement.

Seamless Transactions Across Millions of Merchants in China

Through this feature, Bank Mandiri customers can now make payments at millions of merchants across China without the need to exchange cash or manually convert currencies.

Users simply scan the QR Pay feature in Livin’ by Mandiri at merchants displaying:

  • UnionPay QR
  • Alipay QR

This convenience provides a frictionless payment experience for Indonesian travelers and business users visiting China.

Broader International QR Coverage Across Key Destinations

The China expansion complements Bank Mandiri’s existing Cross-Border QR presence in several strategic countries, including:

  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Japan
  • South Korea

This broader coverage strengthens Bank Mandiri’s role in building an integrated global payment network through strategic partnerships.

Future Expansion Plans for Strategic Global Destinations

Looking ahead, Bank Mandiri plans to continue expanding its Cross-Border QR services to additional key destinations in line with rising global transaction trends and increasing demand for practical digital payment solutions.

“Bank Mandiri will continue expanding Cross-Border QR coverage to other strategic destinations as cross-border transaction trends grow and customers demand more practical, integrated digital payment solutions,” Jan added.

QRIS Bank Mandiri User Growth Accelerates in Q1 2026

Throughout Q1 2026, Bank Mandiri’s QRIS ecosystem also posted strong domestic growth:

Key QRIS Performance Highlights:

  • Total QRIS users: 9.9 million
  • User growth: +41% YoY
  • Transaction value: Rp64 trillion
  • Transaction growth: +76% YoY

These figures demonstrate the accelerating adoption of digital payments among Bank Mandiri customers.

Livin’ by Mandiri Reaches 39.1 Million Users

Bank Mandiri’s flagship digital platform, Livin’ by Mandiri, also delivered impressive results by the end of March 2026:

Livin’ by Mandiri Performance:

  • Total users: 39.1 million
  • Total transaction value: Rp1,200 trillion

This strong growth highlights Livin’ by Mandiri’s increasing dominance in Indonesia’s digital banking ecosystem.

Should You Invest $2,000 in BMRI Now?

AI-powered investing platforms such as ProPicks AI evaluate BMRI alongside thousands of global companies every month using more than 100 financial metrics.

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Is BMRI Currently an AI-Favored Stock?

With strong digital banking growth, expanding global payment infrastructure, and rising QRIS adoption, investors may want to assess whether Bank Mandiri is positioned as an attractive investment opportunity or if better opportunities exist elsewhere.

MAPI Q1 2026 Net Profit Jumps 34.5% to Rp762 Billion on Strong Revenue Growth

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MAPI Q1 2026 Net Profit Jumps 34.5% to Rp762 Billion on Strong Revenue Growth – PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAPI), Indonesia’s leading lifestyle retailer, started 2026 with an impressive financial performance. The company recorded net revenue of Rp12.3 trillion in the first quarter, marking a sharp 32.0% increase compared to the same period last year.

Strong Revenue Growth Boosts Profitability

The significant revenue jump directly translated into stronger profitability across the board. MAPI’s gross profit rose to Rp4.9 trillion, while operating profit climbed 35.0% to Rp1.1 trillion. Meanwhile, EBITDA reached Rp1.9 trillion.

At the bottom line, the company successfully posted a 34.5% increase in net profit, reaching Rp762 billion in Q1 2026.

Consumer Spending and Ramadan Momentum Support Performance

“We started this year with positive performance, supported by stable customer shopping activity that accelerated further ahead of the Ramadan and Eid season in March,” said Ratih D. Gianda, VP of Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, and Sustainability at MAP Group.

“With solid preparation, we were able to effectively respond to demand, resulting in stronger sales across all segments. Overall, these factors supported our strong Q1 performance,” she added.

Brand Portfolio Expansion Strengthens Market Position

As consumer preferences continue to evolve, MAPI has been actively expanding its brand portfolio by introducing renowned international names such as:

  • Aquazzura
  • Guess
  • Hollister

This strategic expansion is designed to capture broader market demand while reinforcing MAPI’s dominance in Indonesia’s lifestyle retail sector.

Operational Efficiency Through Automation and Digitalization

Alongside revenue growth, MAPI is also focused on improving operational efficiency through:

  • More disciplined cost management
  • Back-end process optimization
  • Increased automation
  • Digitalization across platforms

These initiatives aim to enhance customer service quality while maintaining sustainable profitability.

Challenges Ahead: Geopolitics, Rising Costs, and Rupiah Weakness

Despite its strong Q1 results, management remains cautious about future uncertainties. Geopolitical tensions, increasing operational costs, and Rupiah depreciation are key challenges that may impact business stability.

“Entering 2026, MAP will continue this momentum. However, we are taking a more cautious approach amid a dynamic environment, as geopolitical tensions, rising costs, and Rupiah weakness may create uncertainty ahead,” Ratih stated.

Long-Term Value Creation Remains a Priority

Supported by its diversified business portfolio and team commitment, MAPI remains focused on navigating current economic conditions with discipline.

“We expect these efforts to support sustainable long-term value creation for all stakeholders,” Ratih concluded.

Should You Invest $2,000 in MAPI Now?

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Gold vs Crypto: Which Investment Is Better for Long-Term Wealth?

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Gold vs Crypto: Which Investment Asset Is Better for You? – There are many investment instruments available today, but two assets that are most often compared are gold and cryptocurrency. Both are considered “stores of value,” but they have fundamentally different characteristics.

Gold vs Crypto: Fundamental Differences

1. Physical Asset vs Digital Asset

Gold

Gold is a tangible asset that can be physically held, stored in a safe, or turned into jewelry. Its value has been recognized for thousands of years and it is widely considered a safe haven asset.

Crypto

Cryptocurrency is entirely digital and cannot be physically held. Its value depends on blockchain technology, adoption rates, and market trust.

2. Volatility and Price Fluctuation

Gold

Gold is relatively stable, with prices that often rise during times of crisis. This happens because many investors seek safer assets to preserve wealth.

Crypto

Crypto is highly volatile. Prices can surge dramatically in a short period, but they can also collapse just as quickly. This makes crypto more suitable for investors who are prepared to take on significant risk.

3. Regulation and Legality

Gold

Gold has clear regulations and is officially recognized by governments worldwide. Gold trading generally operates under established legal frameworks.

Crypto

Cryptocurrency regulations are still evolving and vary widely by country. Some nations support crypto, while others restrict it, making it riskier from a legal certainty perspective.

Which Asset Fits Your Investment Goals?

Every investor has different objectives. Some want to preserve wealth safely, while others seek aggressive growth with higher risk.

Understanding the comparison between gold and crypto can help determine which is better suited to your financial goals.

1. Hedge Protection vs Aggressive Growth

Gold

Gold is ideal as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Its relatively stable value makes it a top choice for protecting wealth over time.

Crypto

Crypto is better suited for investors seeking aggressive growth. While the profit potential can be substantial, the risks are equally high due to extreme market volatility.

2. Long-Term Investing vs Short-Term Trading

Gold

Gold is generally better for long-term investment. Its value tends to rise gradually, making it suitable for patient investors who prioritize stability.

Crypto

Crypto is often favored for short-term trading. Many traders capitalize on daily or weekly price swings to generate profits, but this requires strong market knowledge and risk tolerance.

Gold Risks vs Crypto Risks

No investment is free from risk. Both gold and crypto come with unique challenges that investors should understand before making decisions.

1. Systemic Risk and Liquidity

Gold

Gold carries relatively low systemic risk because it is globally recognized as a safe-haven asset. It also has high liquidity, meaning it can be sold easily in most market conditions. However, gold prices can still be affected by major monetary policy shifts or changes in global demand.

Crypto

Crypto has greater systemic risk because it depends heavily on blockchain systems, exchange infrastructure, and investor confidence. Liquidity also varies—major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are relatively liquid, while smaller altcoins may become difficult to sell during market downturns.

2. Market Sentiment Risk

Gold

Gold sentiment is usually driven by macroeconomic conditions such as inflation, recessions, or geopolitical tensions. During uncertain times, gold often gains value.

Crypto

Crypto is extremely sensitive to market sentiment and news. A tweet from a major influencer, regulatory changes, or social media trends can send prices soaring or crashing within hours.

Diversification Strategy: Do You Have to Choose One?

Investors do not necessarily have to choose between gold or crypto. Many choose diversification by combining both assets in their portfolios.

  • Gold provides long-term stability and wealth protection
  • Crypto offers high-growth opportunities with greater risk

This balanced strategy can help investors manage risk while maximizing potential returns according to their individual profiles.

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