KUALA LUMPUR: E-wallets are becoming increasingly embedded in Malaysians’ everyday spending habits, as cashless payments continue to gain popularity across different age groups.
According to a study by Ipsos Malaysia, 72% of Malaysians used cashless payments within the past three months, up from 60% in 2025. E-wallet usage has also risen significantly, climbing from 52% in 2023 to 81% in 2026. This puts e-wallets ahead of online banking and digital transfers at 70%, as well as debit cards at 56%.
The trend is also spreading among older consumers. Usage among those aged 35 to 44 increased from 56% to 64%, while the figure for people aged 45 and above rose from 40% to 44%. Among younger Malaysians, usage stood at 64% for those aged 18 to 24 and 65% for the 25-to-34 age group.
Touch ’n Go eWallet remains the most widely used platform, reaching 81% of e-wallet users surveyed, while MAE recorded strong growth, rising nine percentage points to 53%. Other platforms recorded considerably lower usage.
E-wallets are now commonly used for everyday physical transactions, with food and beverage purchases and tolls or parking each recording 70% usage, followed by retail purchases at 58% and food delivery at 51%. Ipsos said convenience, security, reliability and a smooth payment experience are becoming increasingly important as Malaysia’s e-wallet market matures.
