2021-01-01
The Palestine Monetary Authority issued Instructions No. 10 of 2021 to amend Instructions No. 3 of 2021 governing e-wallet services provided by licensed payment service companies in Palestine. The amendment explicitly permits payment service providers to offer digital card recharge and top-up services, provided they obtain prior written regulatory approval, charge only an agreed commission without owning or directly selling the cards, and adhere to existing financial ceilings and updated internal policies. Additionally, it establishes a regulated framework allowing account opening using mobile numbers from non-Palestinian telecom operators exclusively for natural persons residing in Jerusalem and the 1948 territories, subject to enhanced due diligence, risk mitigation protocols, and specific technological and legal safeguards.
Pursuant to the provisions of Legislative Decree No. (17) of 2012 concerning the National Payments Settlement Law, particularly Article (9) thereof, and after reviewing Instructions No. (3) of 2021 concerning the provision of e-wallet services by payment service companies, and based on what was approved by the Board of Directors of the Palestine Monetary Authority in its meeting No. (240) dated 23/10/2021, and in accordance with the powers delegated to us, and in pursuit of the public interest, we have issued the following Instructions:
The words and phrases contained in these Instructions shall have the meanings assigned to them below, unless the context indicates otherwise:
These Instructions aim to regulate the following:
The provisions of these Instructions shall apply to all licensed payment service companies authorized to provide payment services in Palestine.
Annex No. (1) referenced in the Original Instructions is hereby replaced by Annex No. (1) attached to these Instructions.
A new article, numbered (8) bis, is added to the Original Instructions, stipulating the following:
"The service provider may offer the recharge and top-up service for electronic digital cards, subject to compliance with the following:
All provisions conflicting with these Instructions are hereby repealed.
All competent authorities shall implement the provisions of these Instructions according to their respective jurisdictions, and they shall take effect from the date of their issuance.
Issued in Ramallah on 24/11/2021 CE
Dr. Firas Malham
Governor
Note:
Annex No. (1) begins on the following page.
The following is the minimum data and information required to be provided in the electronic wallet account opening application form:
The following user information:
Terms and procedures for account renewal, reactivation, and closure.
A declaration from the account opening applicant confirming that they are the original owner and sole beneficiary of the account.
An annex detailing the account ceiling and authorized transactions executable through the electronic wallet.
The service provider may open an electronic wallet account for a user using a mobile phone number registered with a non-Palestinian telecommunications company, subject to compliance with the following: