What it means
A carrier for data
A QR code helps transfer data from a display or printed surface into a scanning application. It does not determine whether the encoded destination is trustworthy or whether a payment request is correct.
Using it for payments
A payment code may encode an address, invoice link or network-specific request format. The wallet or checkout must interpret that format and show the important details. Users should verify the recipient, amount, asset and network instead of assuming that a familiar-looking code guarantees the intended transaction.
Related concepts
In practice
A concrete example
A point-of-sale screen shows a payment request QR code, and the customer checks the decoded request in the wallet before approving.
Technical notes & boundaries
Error correction helps with certain reading damage; it does not authenticate the merchant, prevent malicious code replacement or prove payment completion.
Go to the source.
Original references used for this definition. Product details and standards can change.