API-First Payments: The Future for PSPs in Colombia
As digital trade and fintech continue to grow, Colombia’s online businesses and exporters need payment gateways that are faster, cheaper, and built for global reach. But with so many options—and growing pressure to comply with cross-border regulations—it’s not always clear which platforms offer the right balance of speed, cost, and security.
This guide breaks down 13 of the top online payment gateways in Colombia, based on current market presence, feature set, international accessibility, and relevance for local businesses.
TL;DR / Key Takeaways
Traditional Colombian gateways offer strong local rails but can be slow and pricey for cross-border settlements.
Stablecoin-enabled platforms like Mural Pay deliver near-instant USD payments and lower FX costs.
Payment choice hinges on your audience, volume, and compliance requirements.
Exporters and remote-first companies benefit from virtual USD accounts and batch payout tools.
What Is a Payment Gateway—and Why Does It Matter in Colombia?
Think of a payment gateway as the digital infrastructure that connects a customer’s payment method to a merchant’s bank account. It handles the authorization, currency conversion, fraud checks, and settlement. For Colombian businesses—especially exporters and service providers dealing with overseas clients—this matters a lot.
The traditional banking system in Colombia often comes with long wait times, high FX fees, and compliance friction. As Colombia’s economy becomes more digitized, and cross-border commerce more common, the payment gateway you choose can shape your business’s profitability and growth.
1. Mural Pay: Built for Global B2B Stablecoin Payments
Mural Pay is included in this list as it's one of the most forward-looking platforms for Latin American businesses managing USD payments globally. Its infrastructure is particularly well-suited for Colombian exporters and service providers navigating international invoices and settlements.
Ideal for: Exporters, service providers, and tech companies with overseas clients
Currency support: USD, EUR + 40+ currencies via stablecoin rails
Key feature: Instant payouts via virtual USD accounts and stablecoins like USDC
Settlement speed: Near-instant (blockchain-based)
Fees: Low, often below 1%
Why it stands out: Mural Pay supports stablecoin-powered invoicing, virtual accounts, and batch payouts—making it a standout for Latin American businesses operating globally.
In Chainalysis’ 2024 report, stablecoin usage in Latin America grew by over 400% between 2021 and 2024, driven by B2B adoption.
Mural also offers KYB/KYC-compliant infrastructure and real-time reconciliation, helping Colombian businesses sidestep FX issues and slow wire transfers. For a guide to setting up USD virtual accounts in Colombia, Mural offers helpful documentation.
2. PayU: Colombia’s Longtime Payment Giant
Ideal for: Ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and SMEs selling locally or regionally
Currency support: COP and limited FX options
Key feature: All-in-one platform with local bank integrations and fraud tools
Settlement speed: 1–3 business days (domestic)
Fees: 2.99% – 4.49% depending on card type and risk profile
Why it stands out: PayU is deeply embedded in Colombia’s banking and e-commerce ecosystem. It offers strong local onboarding and is used by many major merchants across LATAM.
3. Payoneer: Payout Platform for Freelancers and Exporters
Ideal for: Freelancers, agencies, and businesses receiving USD/EUR payments
Currency support: USD, EUR, GBP + 150+ countries
Key feature: Global receiving accounts and direct withdrawal to local banks
Settlement speed: 1–2 business days
Fees: ~2% FX markup, $1.50 per local bank withdrawal
Why it stands out: Payoneer is widely used for payouts from platforms like Upwork, Amazon, and Fiverr. It’s a flexible alternative to traditional wire transfers for Colombian professionals.
4. Wise (Formerly TransferWise): Cross-Border Simplicity
Ideal for: Businesses invoicing overseas clients in multiple currencies
Currency support: 50+ currencies
Key feature: Local bank details in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more
Settlement speed: Typically 1–2 business days
Fees: ~0.6%–1% FX markup + low flat fees
Why it stands out: Wise offers transparent pricing and strong currency conversion tools, making it a solid fit for Colombian entrepreneurs growing internationally.
Stablecoin Gateways vs. Traditional Options: Key Considerations for Colombian Exporters
For firms juggling high-volume invoices or contractor payouts, stablecoin payments in Colombia can cut settlement times from days to minutes while lowering FX spreads. Traditional gateways like PayU or Wompi rely on domestic rails and often pass international transfers back to SWIFT, creating layers of cost. Platforms such as Mural Pay, on the other hand, clear funds on-chain, offer real-time FX quotes, and provide guaranteed delivery on pay-outs to bank accounts or wallets. When evaluating providers, weigh transparency of fees, ability to automate bulk contractor payouts, and the depth of KYB/KYC tooling.
5. Wompi by Bancolombia: Local Integration at Scale
Ideal for: Colombian businesses with strong local customer base
Currency support: COP
Key feature: Direct integration with Bancolombia accounts, recurring payments
Settlement speed: 1–2 days within Bancolombia system
Fees: ~2.85% per transaction (variable)
Why it stands out: As a solution built by Bancolombia, Wompi simplifies local payments and settlement for businesses already operating within Colombia’s top banking network.
6. Mercado Pago: Tied to Mercado Libre Ecosystem
Ideal for: Retailers selling on Mercado Libre or in Latin American marketplaces
Currency support: COP, ARS, MXN, BRL, etc.
Key feature: Easy integration for e-commerce sellers
Settlement speed: Varies by market
Fees: Varies by country, often around 4%–5%
Why it stands out: Strong brand recognition, buyer protection tools, and built-in fraud filters make it a common gateway for Latin American sellers.
7. Stripe (Limited Support in Colombia)
Ideal for: Developers, startups, and platforms operating globally
Currency support: 135+ currencies (but requires workarounds in Colombia)
Key feature: Extensive API tools, subscriptions, SaaS support
Settlement speed: 2–5 days (where supported)
Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ (standard)
Why it stands out: Stripe offers unparalleled customization and developer tools, but Colombian businesses typically need to register abroad to fully access its features.
8. ePayco: Domestic Payment Gateway for Colombia
Ideal for: Small and medium-sized businesses in Colombia
Currency support: COP
Key feature: Bank transfer, debit/credit, QR code, and local payment options
Settlement speed: 1–2 business days
Fees: ~2.99%–4.99% per transaction
Why it stands out: Strong local customer service and a wide range of payment options for Colombian consumers.
9. Nequi (P2P + Micro-Business Focus)
Ideal for: Solopreneurs, creators, informal commerce
Currency support: COP only
Key feature: Easy mobile transfers, no-fee virtual cards
Settlement speed: Instant (within Nequi network)
Fees: Minimal
Why it stands out: Nequi is widely used for informal and mobile-based transactions, especially among Gen Z and small vendors.
10. Daviplata (Similar to Nequi, Backed by Davivienda)
Ideal for: Low-income or cash-based customers, informal vendors
Currency support: COP
Key feature: Digital wallet tied to Davivienda
Settlement speed: Same-day or instant
Fees: Minimal
Why it stands out: A mobile-first gateway to financial inclusion and a useful tool for reaching underbanked segments in Colombia.
11. Kushki: Regional Gateway with Colombia Support
Ideal for: Regional platforms or startups operating in LATAM
Currency support: COP + other LATAM currencies
Key feature: Subscriptions, recurring billing, fraud prevention
Settlement speed: 1–3 days
Fees: Varies
Why it stands out: A fast-growing player with support for complex checkout flows and compliance tools.
12. Pagos Inteligentes: Local Gateway for Small Businesses
Ideal for: Small shops and local vendors
Currency support: COP
Key feature: QR codes, recurring billing, custom checkouts
Settlement speed: 24–72 hours
Fees: Competitive for small merchants
Why it stands out: Simple to set up and tailored to Colombia’s smaller merchants without developer resources.
13. DLocal: Emerging Markets Payments Infrastructure
Ideal for: Platforms serving customers across emerging markets
Currency support: 40+ currencies including COP
Key feature: One API for global acceptance
Settlement speed: 2–3 days
Fees: Varies by region and volume
Why it stands out: Offers global payment coverage with compliance layers tailored for each emerging market—including Colombia.
Final Takeaway: Choosing the Right Gateway for Your Business
Whether you’re invoicing overseas clients, selling on Mercado Libre, or building a crypto-friendly tech platform, the right payment gateway in Colombia depends on your audience, volume, and compliance needs.
For exporters or cross-border B2B firms, Mural Pay stands out with its stablecoin and virtual account infrastructure. For domestic e-commerce, PayU and Wompi provide deep local integration. And for creators or informal sellers, tools like Nequi or Daviplata make mobile-first payments easy.
Want to learn more about stablecoin payments, B2B FX alternatives, or how to open a virtual USD account in Colombia? Check out:
Looking to modernize your cross-border workflow? Book a quick demo or try Mural Pay’s sandbox to see firsthand how stablecoin rails can accelerate your next payout run.
FAQ
How fast can Colombian exporters receive USD using Mural Pay?
Funds sent over Mural’s stablecoin rails typically settle in near-real time—often within minutes instead of the 1–5 business days common with traditional wires.Are stablecoin gateways compliant with Colombian FX regulations?
Yes. Providers like Mural Pay conduct full KYB/KYC checks and report flows, aligning with local FX and AML rules.What are the primary cost advantages of stablecoin payments in Colombia?
Businesses save on wire fees, avoid high FX mark-ups, and can route transactions through low-fee blockchain networks.Can I automate bulk contractor payouts from Colombia?
Mural’s Payments API allows you to upload a CSV or call a single endpoint to disburse funds to 100+ recipients in one go.
References
Chainalysis. (2024). Latin America Crypto Adoption Report.
IMF. (2025). Financial System Notes: Colombia.
World Bank. (2023). Cross-Border Payments in Latin America.
MuralPay.com: Product pages, documentation, and blog resources.
PayU, Wise, Payoneer, Mercado Pago, and official platform documentation.
