Ant International Raises $1.2 Billion to Expand Global Payments Network
Ant Group’s international affiliate, Ant International, has secured approximately $1.2 billion in fresh funding to accelerate its expansion beyond China. This investment round, which includes participation from existing backers Ant Group and Alibaba Group, as well as several international institutional investors, will support the company’s growth in merchant payments, account management, and financial services for businesses across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
The Singapore-based company, carved out of Jack Ma’s Ant Group in 2024, focuses on global trade infrastructure, facilitating cross-border payments for small exporters, marketplaces, and travelers who prefer mobile wallet payments. The funding will be allocated across four units: Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, and Bettr, each serving distinct aspects of international commerce.
This move comes during a significant period in global payments infrastructure, with players like Mastercard integrating stablecoin firms and Nuvei acquiring Payoneer to challenge Stripe’s dominance. Ant International aims to differentiate itself by offering a single provider capable of settling across numerous currencies and wallets.
While the company has a history of regulatory scrutiny in China, leading to Jack Ma ceding control of Ant Group, its international spin-off allows for greater independence and partnership opportunities. The question remains whether this funding round is a precursor to a public listing. According to Bloomberg, Ant International had previously explored raising around $1 billion in June.