Many companies in Southeast Asia still deal with slow, costly, and messy cross-border payments. The process often involves different rules in each market, long waiting times, and a lot of manual checks. DBS and Ant International are expanding their long-running partnership to tackle some of these problems, focusing on ways to make payments more connected for people and businesses across the region.
The new agreement, signed during the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, builds on more than a decade of work between the two firms. It brings together DBS’ digital banking systems and Ant International’s payments and automation tools. Both sides say the goal is to support smoother regional trade and help businesses that now operate in more than one country. While the plan is early, it shows how financial institutions are trying to line up their systems so users do not have to deal with so many separate processes.
Why this matters to companies
When a firm sells in several markets, payment delays can slow revenue and create extra admin work. Teams in finance and operations also have to deal with different reporting rules and settlement timelines. That can increase errors and stretch staff. The expanded DBS–Ant International partnership points to new ways companies may move money across borders without as many hurdles.
A clear example is the planned link between DBS PayLah! and the Alipay+ network. Once in place, more than three million PayLah! users would be able to pay at 150 million merchants in more than 100 markets. For businesses, a wider network could mean fewer payment partners to manage and simpler onboarding when entering new countries.
What the two firms plan to work on
Although the memorandum is a starting point rather than a finished roadmap, it lays out four main areas the partners want to develop.
1. Better cross-border payments access
The firms want to make it easier for users to move money across borders by improving how they process and track transactions. This may help companies get a clearer view of settlement times and reduce the need for several banks or payment intermediaries. For finance teams, better visibility could help with planning and reduce delays that disrupt cash flow.
2. Faster remittances built on shared standards
DBS and Ant International are studying a bank-to-wallet remittance service that links DBS customers to the 1.8 billion user accounts on the Alipay+ system. The solution would use ISO 20022 standards and run over the SWIFT network. For companies that deal with frequent overseas payments — such as suppliers, contractors, or overseas branches — quicker transfers could reduce waiting times that often hold up routine work.
3. Support for smaller firms moving to digital tools
Many small and medium-sized businesses still struggle with uneven payment systems and outdated processes. DBS will work with Antom, Ant International’s merchant services arm, to explore AI-supported payment solutions that may help small firms modernise their checkout and settlement processes. One of the ideas on the table is an agent-based payment tool that uses the Model Context Protocol. DBS will also work with WorldFirst to expand same-day and near-instant payments for small businesses that trade across borders.
A possible example: a small retailer selling in several Southeast Asian markets could manage payments through a single flow, cut down on failed transactions, and get funds more quickly. That would reduce admin work and free teams to focus on sales and customer issues instead of payment errors.
4. Ongoing work on tokenised deposits
Both firms have already begun testing tokenised deposits. They now plan to continue exploring how these digital deposit formats might support faster settlement and clearer tracking. While still at an early stage, it signals interest in digital money tools that could one day connect to wider treasury or cash-management systems.
What leaders should keep in mind
Even with new tools on the way, cross-border payments still come with real-world challenges. Different countries have different rules for processing, data sharing, and reporting. Those differences can slow things down or create more review steps. Any company thinking about adopting new payment services — from DBS, Ant International, or others — will need to check how well these tools fit into their existing systems.
This includes checking how payments connect with ERPs, how data flows between teams, and whether internal processes need updates. Problems such as inconsistent data, old APIs, or siloed teams can slow down adoption and reduce the value of new services.
Both firms talk about inclusion and regional growth, but the technology only works if staff know how to use it. Finance, operations, and customer-facing teams will need clear training and a view of how new processes change their day-to-day work.
See also: Visa finally joins Asia Pacific’s QR payment party—but is it too late?
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