In a move to deepen its footprint in the Philippines’ digital payments ecosystem, Tonik, the nation’s digital-only bank, has launched QRPH transfers within its mobile app, enabling enhanced digital transactions across a vast network of over 675,000 merchants and 1,824 billers.
This initiative marks another step in making everyday digital banking more accessible, instant, and hopefully more engaging for Filipinos.
By integrating QRPH—the Philippines’ standardized QR payment system—Tonik allows users to send, receive, and pay with a single scan, free of charge until August 31, 2025.
Adding a small twist, the bank introduces a “fortune scratch card” feature, infusing a some “magic” into every transaction.
The Philippines has seen a shift toward cashless payments, with QR codes outpacing traditional card payments.
According to Visa, 55% of Filipinos used QR codes for payments in 2023, compared to just 32% who used cards.
Tonik’s adoption of QRPH, the country’s digital payment network, taps into this trend, offering customers unparalleled convenience.
Whether paying for groceries, settling utility bills, or transferring funds to friends, Tonik users can now do this on a single platform.
The zero-fee offer during the launch window eliminates the cost barriers associated with digital transactions, making it a somewhat viable option for tech-savvy millennials and the unbanked population that Tonik aims to serve.
Tonik’s QRPH integration is more than a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic move to redefine the banking experience.
Greg Krasnov, Tonik’s Founder and CEO, claims:
“Filipinos come to Tonik for the loan, but they stay for the banking experience. QRPH lets us fold everyday payments into that experience—instant, secure…”
The fortune scratch card feature exemplifies this approach, turning routine transactions into more interesting moments.
After each QR scan, users receive a surprise in-app card, adding a gamified element that makes banking feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.
This launch builds on Tonik’s ongoing growth trajectory.
In the past 12 months, the bank reportedly disbursed ₱6.7 billion in loans, a 2.3-fold increase year-on-year, and processed ₱26 billion in payment volume, up 1.3 times from the previous year.
These latest figures appear to suggest that Tonik has the ability to scale while maintaining a customer-centric focus.
By embedding QRPH into its app, Tonik strengthens its ecosystem, offering a platform where users can save, borrow, and pay without leaving the app.
This aligns with the Tonik Bank’s aim to address the financial needs of the relatively large majority of Filipinos who still remain unbanked financially underserved, as well as the emerging affluent millennials seeking enhanced digital banking solutions.
