Nepal Clearing House Ltd. announces global acceptance for NEPALPAY National Card Scheme in collaboration with Discover® Network

Kathmandu – December 23, 2025 – Nepal Clearing House (NCHL) has announced the commercial rollout of NEPALPAY Card, Nepal’s national card scheme, through its collaboration with Discover^® Network. The NEPALPAY card, launched under the National Payment Switch – National Card Switch (NPS – NCS) project, allows local participating banks, financial institutions, payment service providers (PSPs) and payment system operators (PSOs) to issue NEPALPAY Cards that are accepted at POS terminals and ATMs across Nepal and globally.

Through this collaboration, NEPALPAY cardholders will gain access to millions of locations across the globe¹ from wider international acceptance, as Discover Network and Diners Club International^® are collectively accepted in 190+ countries and territories². At the same time, merchants in Nepal will be able to accept 378+ million cards from around the world³, including 30+ network alliances⁴ and Diners Club^® cards.  

Over 34 banks and financial institutions have already entered an arrangement for principal membership of NPS-National Card Switch (NCS) and NEPALPAY, with others being added. NPS-NCS includes interoperability of card-based transactions including routing, settlement, dispute handling, and centralized reporting.

NPS is a priority project to modernize Nepal payment systems, corresponding to which the Retail Payment Switch (RPS) and cross-border interface (NPIx) have already been implemented since November 2021. NCS and NEPALPAY Card is expected to reduce the cost, provide control in domestic card transactions, implement data localization, and support innovation in digital ecosystem.

“The establishment of the NPS and the commercial rollout of NEPALPAY card mark a transformative milestone in Nepal’s digital journey. This initiative will not only create an interoperable payment ecosystem but also strengthen the foundation for future innovations. Our partnership with Discover Network reflects our commitment to delivering a more secure, trusted, and world-class payment card scheme with global acceptance,” said Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of NCHL. 

“This strategic collaboration with NEPALPAY allows us to expand our footprint and product offerings in the Asia Pacific region,” said Subhrajit Basu, VP international markets at Discover. “With every transaction, merchants and cardholders will have access to innovative payment services solutions with a strong foundation that is efficient, scalable, and secure.”

NCHL is a public limited company in Nepal and established since December 2008 under the leadership and guidance of the Central Bank of Nepal. It has equity participation from the central bank and all banks and financial institutions in Nepal. It has the objective to implement and operate multiple national payment systems. NCHL recognizes banking & financial technology-oriented services as one of the keys for driving digital economy. It currently operates electronic cheque clearing, ACH, Retail Payment Switch (RPS), connectRTGS, National Payments Interface (NPI), interoperable national QR (NEPALPAY QR), Cross border payments interface (NPIx), EFT card switch, faster payment system (connectIPS) and CORPORATEPAY as business payment channel. NCHL processes close to 75% of Nepal’s non-cash transactions in terms of settlement value.

¹ Based on data provided to Discover by merchants, acquiring institutions and other third parties as of December 31, 2024

² Internal Discover Transaction Data 2024

³Total cards include open cards on Discover Network, DCI, and network alliances. Based on information provided by network participants, and RBR Data Services published as of 2024.

⁴ Based on signed Network Alliance Agreements