Ant International raises $1.2bn to expand cross-border payments
Ant International has secured $1.2 billion from Ant Group, Alibaba and outside investors to scale its global payment network, signalling renewed offshore ambition from Chinese fintechs.
Ant International has closed a $1.2 billion Series A funding round to finance its global expansion. The equity financing was backed by existing shareholders Ant Group and Alibaba Group Holding, alongside a group of undisclosed international institutional investors.
The Singapore-based firm was spun off as an independent entity in 2024. It currently connects over 150 million merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Ant International generates revenue through four distinct business units: Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst and Bettr. Collectively, they offer a stack of services that includes cross-border payments, treasury management and credit technology. A key focus moving forward will be the deployment of artificial intelligence-powered tools designed to help merchants manage cash flow and risk across different jurisdictions.
The decision to spin off the unit in 2024 was a deliberate structural shift. It separated the firm's international operations from the domestic regulatory environment in China. By operating out of Singapore, Ant International can navigate varied compliance landscapes in its target regions with greater agility.
For market participants, the $1.2 billion round signals that major Asian technology conglomerates are finding new avenues to monetize their financial technology. The presence of unnamed international institutional investors alongside Ant Group and Alibaba indicates that global capital is comfortable backing these newly independent structures. It effectively separates the risk profile of the international business from its parent company's domestic constraints.
The capital will specifically target merchant payments, account management and inclusive financial services. In the current macroeconomic environment, businesses of all sizes are demanding more efficient cross-border settlement solutions to avoid foreign exchange friction and delayed clearing times. Ant International’s existing network provides a substantial base to capture increased transaction volumes as global digital commerce expands.
While the valuation remains undisclosed, the sheer scale of the Series A round demonstrates a strong commitment to building out a global payments rival. The funds give Ant International the runway to scale its AI-driven credit and treasury products against established Western competitors.
