The APM platform Pay10 has recently obtained an Ancillary Service Provider – Payment Service Provider License from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

This regulatory approval is pivotal for reinforcing Pay10’s strategic objective to enhance its global reach and provide secure, real-time payment solutions that are both inclusive and user-friendly for businesses and individuals alike.

Integration with Local Infrastructure

With the new license, Pay10 can now seamlessly integrate its mobile-centric infrastructure with Bahrain’s domestic payment rails. This integration ensures smooth, compliant, and reliable transactions, directly supporting the Kingdom’s goals of financial inclusion and economic diversification.

The company is committed to building real-time payment systems that cater to all users, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), merchants, and consumers. Bahrain’s progressive financial landscape, supported by robust regulation, public-private collaboration, and a strong commitment to digital advancement, creates an ideal environment for innovation.

According to the Central Bank of Bahrain’s March 2025 Financial Stability Report, Bahrain is experiencing rapid digitalization in its payment ecosystem. POS and e-commerce transaction volumes surged by 20.4% and 14.6%, respectively, over the second half of 2024. The Fawri+ system, part of the domestic payment infrastructure, saw a 20.5% increase in transaction volume and a 13.2% boost in value.

Contactless payments now account for more than 77% of all POS transactions in Bahrain, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior towards contactless methods such as QR-code-based and wallet-enabled transactions. Over 90% of businesses in the country are classified as SMEs, underserved by outdated payment systems. Pay10 aims to address this gap, offering these enterprises reliable and cost-effective real-time payment solutions.