Halyk FacePay (instant payments by biometric face recognition)

Halyk Bank’s FacePay project has been launched in the Almaty Metro and the Astana Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. The primary objective of the FacePay launch was to introduce an innovative, convenient, and secure payment method, enabling customers to make payments without the need for bank cards, cash, or mobile devices. The project was aimed at advancing digital and biometric technologies, enhancing the speed and convenience of customer service, reducing transaction times, expanding cashless payment options, and further strengthening Halyk Bank’s position as a leader in the digital transformation of Kazakhstan’s financial sector.

The first use case for the service was paying for rides on the Almaty Metro using facial recognition technology, which allowed passengers to pass through turnstiles without needing to present a bank card, smartphone, or transit ticket. Then it was scaled to LRT Astana and regular merchants

FacePay has significantly enhanced payment convenience for customers and has been made available to Halyk Bank’s extensive user base, which includes over 11.5 million active bank clients and more than 8.5 million monthly active users of its Super App. It enables passengers to pay for rides on the Almaty Metro and Astana LRT using biometric facial recognition and reduces reduced queues on the stations during peak hours. To make a payment, customers no longer need a bank card, smartphone, cash, or a QR code—only to complete a one-time registration process within the Halyk mobile app.

Key benefits for customers:

1. an exceptionally fast, contactless payment method for millions of customers

2. shorter transit times through turnstiles and greater convenience for 11.5 million active bank customers

3. no need to carry a bank card or phone when using the service

4. a high level of security, ensured by biometric authentication

5. a modern and seamless user experience for those using the Super App

Front-end and Edge layer: The turnstile equipment at LRT stations and the initial biometric data capture (Face Capture) are provided by a certified hardware and software solution from leading Chinese partners. These partners are also responsible for the secure transmission of encrypted requests to the bank.

Back-end and Bank Core layer: Developed entirely in-house by our bank. This module includes a high-performance 1:N biometric matching engine and integrates with the bank’s payment gateway to facilitate real-time clearing and the debiting of funds from card accounts.

Seamless access (hands-free entry): Passengers using the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Astana do not need physical cards, smartphones, or cash. Payment is processed in a fraction of a second via a biometric facial scan at the turnstile.

High accuracy and speed: A "one-to-many" (1:N) identification method allows for the instant recognition of a user within the bank’s database, without the need for any additional input.

Automated processing: The system automatically deducts the exact fare from the passenger’s linked bank card in real time.

Flexible account linking: The bank-side architecture allows passengers to link various types of cards (debit, credit, social/concessionary) to their digital profile and easily manage or change them via the banking app.

Scalability: The core reconciliation and transaction engine developed by the bank can be readily adapted for other modes of urban transport (such as buses or parking services) or retail merchants.

FacePay is a contactless payment service that utilizes facial recognition technology. Its primary objective is to provide a fast, convenient, and secure method for making payments, eliminating the need for a bank card, mobile phone, or cash.

The service is applied within transport infrastructure—specifically the Almaty Metro and Astana LRT—where rapid payment processing is essential. FacePay is available to all passengers of the Almaty Metro. Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis, with a population exceeding 2.3 million and an average daily ridership of approximately 120,000 people on the metro system.

The target audience for FacePay consists of Halyk Bank clients who have opted into the FacePay service and are interested in modern digital payment methods, greater convenience, and faster service when paying for goods or services. HALYK FACE PAY is an innovative facial recognition-based payment method developed by Halyk Bank, utilizing digital identification and biometric facial recognition technology. This solution is unique to Kazakhstan and has already been successfully implemented in one of the country’s most high-traffic infrastructure projects: fare payments for the metro. The technology is currently being scaled up and introduced in cafés and at gas stations, fostering a new culture of fast and secure payments.

As part of the rollout of the HALYK FACE PAY product, a long-term promotional campaign was implemented throughout 2025. It featured a special offer for customers: 100% in bonuses for fare payments made via FacePay.

The campaign accompanied the launch of the technology in the metro and served as a key instrument for:

• increasing awareness of this new payment method;

• establishing the habit of paying via facial recognition;

• accelerating customer onboarding and engagement within the Halyk ecosystem.

• The extended duration of the campaign ensured steady growth in FacePay usage and supported the scaling of the technology into new payment scenarios.

In terms of scalability, FacePay is designed as a universal biometric payment platform that can be rapidly integrated across various sectors—including public transport, parking services, retail, food service, shopping and entertainment centers, and other service-oriented areas. This enables the bank to expand its geographical reach and the number of payment acceptance points without altering the customer experience.

The measurable impact on the business is reflected in an increase in the number of cashless transactions, greater customer engagement within the bank’s digital ecosystem, more frequent use of banking products, the acquisition of new users, and the strengthening of Halyk Bank’s image as a technological leader in Kazakhstan’s financial market. Furthermore, the service helps reduce operational costs associated with maintaining traditional payment instruments and lays the groundwork for the future development of biometric financial services.

Kazakhstan