The National Economic Prosecutor’s Office of Chile has concluded its review of the latest General Contracting Proposal submitted by MetroPago to the Court for the Defense of Free Competition. This evaluation confirms that the revised framework successfully mitigates the risks of anticompetitive behavior in the market for fund collection and loading services. By establishing clearer guidelines for how these services are provided reciprocally between companies, the proposal ensures that no single player can unfairly dominate the infrastructure necessary for financial transactions.
The central issue in this case involved the potential for MetroPago to exert undue influence by utilizing the vast physical network of the Santiago Metro. Regulators were concerned that without strict oversight, the company could limit the ability of competing non-bank payment providers to access essential points of sale and fund-loading terminals. The FNE’s endorsement indicates that the current proposal provides the transparency and non-discriminatory access required to prevent market exclusion and protect the interests of consumers using digital payment systems.
This resolution marks a significant step in the ongoing regulation of Chile’s fintech and prepaid card sectors. By securing an agreement that balances the use of public infrastructure with the principles of free competition, the FNE has created a blueprint for how state-affiliated entities must operate when competing with private firms. The case now moves forward with the assurance that the technical and economic terms of service will support a more diverse and competitive financial ecosystem.