Financial Tribune - In the calendar month Bahman (Jan.21-Feb.19) close to 1,972 million transactions worth 2,385 trillion ($15.4 billion) were processed via Shaparak (the domestic electronic payment network) � up 6.14% and 16.83% in volume and value compared to the month before.

A report published by the Central Bank of Iran-affiliated entity on its website indicates 48.08% hike in the value of transactions in comparison to the same month last year. The number of transactions grew 27.49% year-on-year.

The report ascribes annual surge in the value of transactions partially to rising inflation. As for the contribution of other factors, Shaparak referred to the increasing number of receiving instruments and debit cards plus the growing willingness to use a variety o payment methods instead of cash.