Instant Beer? How QR Codes are Taking Flight

The real magic of instant payments starts when entrepreneurs and developers start building to create solutions on top of the rail. The unattended beer booths commonly serving refreshing beer in Brazilian beach towns is a perfect example. They aren’t your typical kiosk—no bored vendor, no cash register, just a row of gleaming taps each adorned with a unique QR code. A playful sign invites beach goers to “Scan Pay Pour.” A quick scan of the QR Code with a mobile phone followed by a satisfying beep indicating payment went through unlocks the tap and leads to a refreshing beer. This session highlights these and other innovative applications that have blossomed around Brazil’s Pix payment network. It’ll provide a glimpse into the future where payments in the U.S. can be frictionless, intuitive and even a little bit fun.