Ley de Economía Digital en México: pago con celular por QR en una máquina expendedora inteligente

Digital Economy Law advances: what QR payments change for your business

October 4, 2026. Mexico's Digital Economy Law has taken its first formal step in Congress: the Finance and Public Credit Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill that aims to reduce cash use in Mexico and expand digital payments through transfers, cards, QR codes and NFC technology. Although it is not yet law, the signal is clear for any entrepreneur who collects payments on the street, including vending machine operators: customers paying with their phones will become increasingly common.

What happened

According to Proceso, the committee approved the "Digital Economy Law for Digital and Electronic Payments" by 24 votes to 4 in general, and 25 to 4 on the specific articles. Expansión reported that the PRI and PAN voted against it and that the bill now goes to the full Chamber of Deputies and then to the Senate.

The key points reported by both outlets are:

  • The Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) will be able to designate "strategic sectors" where electronic payment is the only accepted method, with gradual transition mechanisms. Gas stations and toll booths would be the first.
  • Electronic transfers (SPEI), debit and credit cards, QR codes and NFC technology are recognized as means of payment.
  • All three levels of government will have to accept digital payments for their services.
  • A Digital Citizen File is created, and the biometric CURP will be used to open accounts without visiting a branch.
  • According to Proceso, there will be emergency clauses allowing payment in cash or by check when electronic systems fail.

Context: why there is debate

La Jornada captured the positions during the session. The committee chair, Carol Antonio Altamirano (Morena), defended the initiative, arguing that the infrastructure to take this step already exists. On the opposition side, Héctor Saúl Téllez (PAN) warned that the law does not regulate bank fees and, according to Expansión, that it does not set clear rules to protect against identity theft. Jericó Abramo (PRI) pointed to digital gaps between regions, and Deputy Patricia Flores Elizondo (Movimiento Ciudadano) asked, according to Proceso, what will happen to people who cannot go digital.

The figures cited in the discussion help size up the issue: La Jornada reports 94 million bank accounts in the country, 21 million of them with CoDi; average fees of 1.82% on debit and 2.15% on credit in the first quarter; and internet coverage ranging from 88% in Tamaulipas to 58% in Chiapas.

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What it means for vending machine entrepreneurs

So far, the reports do not mention vending machines or small shops as mandatory sectors. What matters is the trend: the government wants paying by QR, card or NFC to become an everyday habit, and more and more customers will expect to do so at any point of sale. For an automated business, that has three practical implications:

  • More potential sales: a machine that only accepts coins loses the sale when the customer has no change.
  • Less cash handling: less money inside the machine makes it less attractive to thieves and simplifies collection.
  • Costs to factor in: since the law does not cap fees, it is wise to add the per-transaction cost and the monthly fees of the payment reader to your margin model.

It is also worth taking security concerns seriously: if your machine displays a QR code, check often that no sticker has been placed over it and always use trusted payment providers.

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Conclusion

The Digital Economy Law must still pass the full Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and its final scope may change. Even so, the direction is clear: Mexico is pushing toward QR, card and NFC payments. If you are about to invest in an automated business, choosing a machine that accepts digital payments today prepares you for that customer. See the Helmet and Shoe Sanitizing Station with QR payment, browse the full catalog at ciaespinoza.com/collections/all and get a quote for the right equipment and payment system for your country on WhatsApp at +1 (555) 967-3577 or at info@ciaespinoza.com.

Sources: Expansión (October 1, 2026), Proceso (October 2, 2026), La Jornada (October 2, 2026). This article is for information only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice.

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