Banglalink launches Mukto Pay, bringing digital payments within reach of everyone in Bangladesh
[Dhaka, November 4, 2026] Banglalink has launched Mukto Pay, a digital payment platform designed to make every day financial transactions faster, simpler and more accessible for everyone in Bangladesh. Customers can send money, pay utility bills and recharge mobile numbers across any network through a single platform, with no fees on money transfers and bill payments during the launch period.
Mukto means ‘freedom’ hence, Mukto Pay aims to free customers from the time, effort and additional costs associated with everyday transactions. Anyone can download the app from Google Play and iOS App Store; and register using their National ID and mobile number, regardless of their mobile operator. Banglalink customers can also access the service by dialing *525# from a basic phone without an internet connection.
The platform offers money transfers, electricity, gas and water bill payments, mobile recharges across all operators, bank and card-based add-money facilities, and online payments, including Banglalink services. As part of its introductory offer, Mukto Pay is waiving charges on wallet-to-wallet transfers and bill payments for the next three months. Customers will also receive bonuses on their first three Banglalink mobile recharges.
Commenting on the launch, Johan Buse, Chief Executive Officer of Banglalink, said, “With Mukto Pay, Banglalink is extending its reach beyond connectivity into everyday financial transactions. Mukto Pay enables individuals, merchants and businesses to participate in the digital economy through both smartphones and basic mobile phones. By making digital payments more accessible to underserved communities and small merchants, it promotes financial inclusion. This is a foundation for building a broader range of digital financial services for Bangladesh.”
Mukto Pay also offers a dedicated merchant application, enabling businesses to register, receive payments and track transactions through a single dashboard. The platform is preparing to introduce Bangla QR, the national QR payment standard, to support interoperable digital payments across participating merchants.
Speaking about the launch, Dmitry Kashtanov, Chief Fintech Officer at Banglalink, said, "Mukto means freedom, and that is the idea behind everything we are building. For years, we have been part of our customers' everyday lives through connectivity. With Mukto Pay, we are extending that relationship to how they manage their money, making everyday transactions fast, simple and reliable."
The launch marks another milestone in Banglalink's evolution beyond traditional telecommunications, expanding its digital services portfolio and strengthening its role in Bangladesh's growing digital economy. Banglalink currently connects around 40 million people across Bangladesh, while VEON's financial services platforms serve 59 million customers across Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
K M Zakaria, Chief Executive Officer of Mukto Pay, said "Our focus has been on making the service fast, simple and reliable from the first transaction, while keeping it accessible to customers of every operator."
The launch also complements VEON's broader commitment to Bangladesh's digital economy, including its announced initial USD 250 million anchor investment commitment in the country.
