bKash Earns Tk 70 Crore Profit

Bangladesh Bank has barred fund transfers via Nagad through banks, though its mobile financial services remain operational. The move aims to protect customers’ funds amid legal disputes. A High Court stay has halted the central bank-appointed administrator's duties, allowing a fraud-accused former director to act as CEO.

Bangladesh ranks among countries with the widest gender gap in mobile money usage, with a 56% gap, following Pakistan's 71% and ahead of India's 51%. According to the GSMA's "State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2024," women's awareness of mobile money in Bangladesh increased from 61% in 2022 to 72% in 2023, while men's awareness grew from 74% to 81%.

Contactless payments in Bangladesh doubled in 2024, reaching 13% of all Visa transactions, with domestic contactless payments tripling due to increased credit and debit card usage. Visa recorded a 14% rise in overall spending and a 17% increase in transactions compared to 2023, driven mainly by online payments.

The launch of digital banks in Bangladesh remains stalled despite initial excitement. Nagad Digital Bank, the sole licensee, missed its December 2024 deadline to start operations due to regulatory delays. Bangladesh Bank received 56 applications, issued letters of intent to two companies, and licensed Nagad Digital Bank in June 2023 with a required Tk 1.25 billion in paid-up capital.

TRANSFORM, an impact accelerator led by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY, announced grants of up to BDT 10 million each for two Bangladeshi SMEs focused on climate resilience.

A proposed hike in gas prices by Petrobangla has sparked major concerns among industrialists in Bangladesh, fearing economic harm. Industrial leaders argue that the increase, if approved, could lead to factory closures, job losses, and reduced industrial output, harming economic growth and potentially causing social unrest.