高汇通回应退出预付卡业务！支付机构缘何主动“瘦身”

Core Viewpoint - The payment industry is witnessing a significant business adjustment as Beijing GaoHuiTong Commercial Management Co., Ltd. has voluntarily reduced its business types, exiting the II category of stored value account operations, marking its departure from the prepaid card issuance and acceptance market [1][3]. Group 1: Company Actions - GaoHuiTong has actively communicated with the People's Bank of China to cancel its prepaid card business qualifications in provinces where it has not been actively operating, aiming to concentrate resources on developing more competitive internet payment services [3][4]. - The company has retained its I category stored value account operations while exiting the II category, indicating a strategic shift in its business focus [3][4]. - GaoHuiTong's ownership traces back to Hong Kong's Jinsheng Enterprise Co., Ltd., and it operates under the umbrella of the Hong Kong-listed company Youzan, with its headquarters in Beijing and branches in several major cities [3][4]. Group 2: Industry Context - The exit from the prepaid card market by GaoHuiTong reflects a broader trend in the industry, where many payment institutions are struggling to sustain prepaid card transactions due to external pressures such as the rise of internet payments and regulatory changes [6][7]. - The prepaid card sector is facing significant challenges, with many institutions opting to relinquish their qualifications to avoid the costs associated with maintaining dual payment systems and regulatory compliance [6][7]. - Since 2025, the People's Bank of China has revoked licenses from six payment institutions, indicating a trend of consolidation within the industry, particularly affecting the prepaid card business [6][7]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - The regulatory landscape has tightened, with the implementation of the Non-Bank Payment Institution Supervision and Management Regulations, which require a minimum registered capital of 100 million yuan, leading to expectations of further reductions in the number of prepaid card licenses [7][10]. - The industry is undergoing a cleansing process, with increased scrutiny on compliance and operational practices, as evidenced by GaoHuiTong's previous penalties for regulatory violations totaling approximately 27.87 million yuan [5][10]. - Analysts predict that only a few institutions that successfully transition to digital models or maintain stable large enterprise clients will survive in the evolving market [7][10].