Overview
- The Chamber of Deputies approved the Ley de Economía Digital para Pagos Digitales y Electrónicos with 327 votes in favor and 122 against and forwarded the draft to the Senate for review.
- The draft gives the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público authority under Article 13 to designate “strategic sectors and relevant activities” where only electronic or digital payments could be accepted.
- The bill requires providers and authorities at federal, state and municipal levels to enable receiving infrastructure for QR codes, NFC, cards, transfers and other digital instruments and also creates CURP Digital and an Expediente Digital Ciudadano to streamline online contracting.
- Lawmakers built in an exception that allows cash or check when a contingency prevents digital acceptance, but critics warn the text lacks clear lists, transition rules, strong data protections and support for small businesses facing infrastructure gaps.
- The Senate will decide next steps and any amendments, and secondary rules and designated sector lists will determine the real‑world timing and impact on cash use, financial inclusion and anti‑money‑laundering efforts.