23rd July 2026
By Shubhii Verma
Ant International Secures $1.2 Billion Funding
Ant International, the international fintech affiliate of Chinese technology giant Ant Group, has raised approximately US$1.2 billion in a Series A funding round as it seeks to accelerate its global expansion and develop new financial technology solutions.
The funding round included participation from existing investors Ant Group and Alibaba Group Holding, along with several international institutional investors whose identities were not disclosed. The company said the new capital will support growth across merchant payments, account management, treasury services, and inclusive financial solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Ant International was spun off as an independent Singapore-based company in 2024 and has since expanded its operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company says its global network now connects more than 150 million merchants with over 2 billion user accounts.
The funding represents Ant International’s first publicly announced investment round. The company’s current valuation was not disclosed, although it was reportedly valued at approximately US$10 billion before the latest capital raise.
Ant International operates through four major business units: Alipay+, which connects consumers with mobile payment services globally; Antom, which provides merchant payment solutions; WorldFirst, which focuses on cross-border payments and business financial services; and Bettr, which offers credit technology and other financial solutions.
Together, the businesses support more than 300 payment methods across over 220 markets, including partnerships with approximately 50 mobile payment providers and more than 10 national QR-code payment systems. This extensive network has positioned Ant International as a major player in cross-border digital payments and global financial infrastructure.
Investing in AI and Emerging Technologies
The company is also increasingly investing in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. In April, it introduced an open-source Agentic Mobile Protocol designed to allow artificial intelligence agents to securely connect with digital wallets and banking applications.
Ant International has also developed tools aimed at helping fintech companies build AI-powered financial services. Its Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, launched last year, is designed to support the development of agentic AI systems and financial products built around artificial intelligence.
Blockchain Integration and Strategic Partnerships
Blockchain has also become an important part of the company’s international strategy. Ant International has established partnerships with major financial institutions to explore blockchain-based payment and treasury solutions. It signed a memorandum of understanding with UBS to explore the use of the Swiss bank’s blockchain payment platform for global treasury operations. The company has also participated in testing involving HSBC and Swift for cross-border transfers using tokenised deposits.
With fresh capital and a rapidly expanding international footprint, Ant International is expected to focus on scaling its payment infrastructure, strengthening institutional partnerships, and developing AI- and blockchain-powered financial services as global businesses increasingly seek faster and more connected digital payment solutions.
