Digital Economy for Digital and Electronic Payments Act: What does it propose, and what could its implications be?

September 13, 2026
6 min read

On October 6, 2026, the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill issuing the Digital Economy for Digital and Electronic Payments Act. The bill seeks to promote the adoption of digital payment methods in Mexico, foster financial inclusion, and facilitate the digitalization of procedures and services.

The bill was referred to the Senate of the Republic on October 7 for further consideration.

I. Background.

1.Why was this initiative introduced?

The initiative responds to the need to promote the digital transformation of the Mexican economy and narrow the gap between the availability of technological infrastructure and its effective use by the population.

According to the statement of reasons included in the legislative committee report, despite the development of electronic payment systems, cash remains the primary means of payment used in everyday transactions.

In this context, the bill proposes establishing a legal framework that encourages the adoption of digital payments, strengthens financial inclusion, reduces transaction costs, and contributes to the formalization of economic activities.

2.What is the legislative background?

On September 8, 2026, the Federal Executive submitted to the Congress of the Union a bill to enact the Digital Economy for Digital and Electronic Payments Act. The proposal was referred to the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on Finance and Public Credit, which reviewed and reported on it, also considering other bills relating to financial services.

Finally, on October 6, 2026, the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill and referred it to the Senate for review.

II. Scope of the bill.

3.What is the purpose of the proposed Act?

The bill proposes creating a regulatory framework to promote the adoption and implementation of digital and electronic payment methods in economic transactions, financial services, and government procedures. It contemplates the use of instruments such as debit and credit cards, electronic transfers, QR codes, and NFC technology.

4.What changes does it introduce for the digital contracting of financial services?

One of its key features is the recognition of trusted mechanisms to facilitate the identification of users and their access to digital financial services. In particular, the bill provides for:

  1. Digital CURP: it must be accepted as an identification mechanism for the digital contracting of financial services, without excluding other official identification mechanisms.
  2. Citizen Digital File: it will allow users, at their request, to access and use documents and information when contracting financial services.

These tools are intended to simplify contracting processes and reduce the repeated submission of documents.

5.What obligations does the bill establish for public authorities and providers of goods and services?

The bill provides that authorities at the federal, state, and municipal levels must take the necessary steps to accept digital and electronic payments for procedures and services.

Providers of goods and services may, in turn, implement these payment methods in accordance with the regulations applicable in each case. Implementation measures will address the availability of infrastructure, user information, and contingency response.

6.Could digital payments become the only payment method?

Yes, but only in the strategic sectors or relevant activities designated by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público, “SHCP”).

The bill authorizes the SHCP to identify sectors in which digital and electronic payment methods may be the only accepted forms of payment. The competent authorities must issue the rules needed to govern their implementation and may establish mechanisms and timeframes for a gradual transition.

The bill also provides that, when contingencies prevent digital payments from being accepted, payment may be made in cash or by check. Such contingencies may not be used to justify permanent or recurring noncompliance.

7.What role will Bank of Mexico and financial institutions play?

The bill grants Bank of Mexico (Banco de México) new powers aimed at facilitating the use of digital and electronic payment methods.

These include the power to regulate operating tiers for demand deposit accounts; develop software to facilitate transfers; issue rules to standardize the user experience across financial applications; and issue rules concerning payments through point-of-sale terminals and QR codes, in coordination with the National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores).

Financial institutions will also be required to promote financial inclusion, publicize their products and services, and facilitate the provision of credit and financing through digital channels.

III. Next steps.

Following its approval by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill was referred to the Senate of the Republic, which will function as the reviewing chamber.

Under Article 72 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, the Senate must review the bill and decide whether to approve it. If it approves the bill without amendments, the decree will be sent to the Federal Executive for promulgation and publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación). If the Senate makes amendments, the bill must return to the Chamber of Deputies for consideration of those amendments.

IV. Closing considerations.

The initiative represents a step toward modernizing Mexico’s legal framework for digital payments, the digital contracting of financial services, and the digitalization of public administration, with the aim of promoting financial inclusion.

Nevertheless, the bill has areas that could be improved during the legislative process or addressed through secondary regulation.

First, the criteria for identifying the strategic sectors and relevant activities in which digital payments could become the only payment method should be clearly defined. This would provide greater legal certainty for businesses and help prevent disproportionate effects on certain segments of the population.

The implementation of these measures should also be accompanied by mechanisms that effectively ensure financial inclusion and reduce gaps in connectivity and access to technology, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and communities with limited access to digital financial services.

Finally, safeguards for personal data protection and information security should be strengthened, especially given the use of tools such as the Digital CURP and the Citizen Digital File in financial contracting processes.

In this context, the effectiveness of any future regulation will depend, to a large extent, on coordination among the competent authorities, the proportionality of the obligations imposed, and the adoption of gradual implementation mechanisms.

For now, the bill remains under consideration and its provisions are not in force. Its final scope will depend on approval by the Senate and any secondary regulation that may be issued.

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