As of June 26, new rules for topping up bank cards via payment terminals have come into force in Ukraine. The regulator introduced a requirement to confirm the mobile phone number with a one-time code when depositing cash. However, as it turned out, the control system has significant vulnerabilities that allow bypassing the established limits.
500 Hryvnia Limit: How to Bypass It
According to the requirements of the National Bank of Ukraine, when topping up a card or account via a terminal, the user must confirm their phone number via SMS or automated call. However, confirmation is not required for topping up mobile phone balance if the amount does not exceed 500 hryvnias per month.
Dmytro Grysha, an official representative and expert at the payment service City24, explained a key nuance to RBC-Ukraine: the control of this limit is carried out separately by each payment institution. This means that there is no single registry between all operators.
«This limit is not for the mobile operator, but for the payment institution. A client can pay through different institutions and banks up to 500 hryvnias each», — explained the expert. Thus, technically, a user can bypass the restriction simply by changing the terminal or operator network, as the limit will reset for each new institution.
Effectiveness of Combating "Gray" Schemes
Such a regulatory model casts doubt on the effectiveness of combating so-called gray schemes. The lack of centralized control allows splitting payments between different terminals, which effectively neutralizes the introduced restrictions.
Furthermore, the new rules have led to changes in pricing policy. Additional costs for SMS messages and automated calls required for authorization are now covered by the commission paid by the client.
Rising Commissions and Market Reaction
From 2026, following an increase in service costs by mobile operators, commissions in terminals rose by 4%. It is important to note that the price increase applies not to the total transfer amount, but only to the cost of the terminal service itself.
«Unfortunately, the costs of meeting regulatory requirements within the framework of the fight against the "gray market" have ultimately fallen on the shoulders of end users», — noted Dmytro Grysha.
Despite the complicated procedure and increased cost, experts do not predict a sharp decline in the number of transactions. A significant portion of top-ups via terminals is related not to ordinary transfers, but to repaying loans, installments, and making mandatory payments to maintain grace periods. This is why most clients will continue to use terminals despite the additional barriers.