In an era where digital payments are transforming how we shop, send money, and do business, regional banks and fintech leaders are taking collaboration to the next level. DBS and Ant International have strengthened their strategic partnership, promising more seamless cross-border payments and innovative fintech solutions designed to empower businesses and consumers across Asia and beyond.
Expanding Digital Payments Across Borders
The renewed partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, brings DBS PayLah! users into the Alipay+ ecosystem. This means over three million DBS PayLah! users can now scan Alipay+ QR codes to pay at more than 150 million merchants in over 100 markets, bridging local convenience with global connectivity.
Real-Time Remittances for Greater Financial Inclusion
Beyond payments, DBS and Ant International are exploring near-instant remittance solutions. The bank-to-wallet initiative aims to enable real-time transfers between DBS customers and 1.8 billion Alipay+ users worldwide, using ISO 20022 messaging standards and the SWIFT network. These innovations simplify cross-border transfers for both individuals and businesses, making financial services more accessible than ever.
Supporting SMEs on Their Digital Journey
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) stand to gain significantly from this partnership. DBS is teaming up with Antom, Ant International’s merchant payment and digitisation platform, to explore innovative solutions such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP)-based Antom Agentic Payment system. This platform combines alternative payment methods, AI-driven insights, and efficient payment mandates to support SMEs in digitizing operations.
Additionally, DBS is working with WorldFirst to scale up same-day and near-instant cross-border payments, giving SMEs faster access to their funds and helping them thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
Driving Regional Fintech Innovation
Both DBS and Ant International are committed to fostering innovation in the regional fintech ecosystem. Their collaboration includes exploring tokenised deposits and other cutting-edge financial solutions, aiming to create more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready financial services.
Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, shared that the strengthened partnership builds on a decade-long collaboration, highlighting the potential to boost digital economies and inclusive growth across the region.
Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS, emphasized that combining their expertise allows both organizations to unlock new growth opportunities, accelerate innovations like tokenised deposits and agentic payments, and reimagine the future of finance for clients and consumers alike.
For Filipino businesses and consumers eyeing cross-border opportunities, the DBS–Ant International partnership signals a more connected and innovative financial landscape. With faster payments, smarter fintech solutions, and greater support for SMEs, the future of finance in Asia is not just digital—it’s inclusive, empowering, and accessible.