Insights from VOYAGE 2025 and Singapore Fintech Festival 2025: Reimagining international commerce
Last updated: 24 Nov 2025
On 11 November, we joined other Ant International brands – including Alipay+, Antom and Bettr – to host over 1,000 guests, partners and industry leaders from across the region. The event brought together businesses dealing with the realities of cross-border trade: shifting regulations, new market opportunities and rising customer expectations.
In her keynote, our WorldFirst CEO Clara Shi emphasised three areas shaping our direction. First, the scale of SME adoption of WorldFirst’s platform – more than 1.5 million SMEs with over US $500 billion cumulative total payment volume. Second, expansion into service-based industries such as advertising, logistics and cloud services. Third, a continued focus on reliable, human support.
Two panel discussions provided valuable takeaways:
- Thriving amid tariffs & trade shifts: Speakers highlighted the importance of diversifying supply chains while nurturing strong manufacturer and farmer relationships. Agile businesses are better placed to seize opportunities during trade turbulence or regional disruptions.
- AI in action: Panelists focused on how SMEs can use AI in strategic ways to qualify leads, automate repetitive tasks and free up their teams to focus on higher-value work. The discussion centred on practical adoption rather than hype
Voyage 2025 reinforced our mission to help businesses trade confidently and scale globally.
WorldFirst at SFF 2025: Making global payments accessible
Over three days at Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, our team met hundreds of SMEs, entrepreneurs, and industry partners looking for clearer, faster ways to move money across borders. Most conversations centered on the same challenge: how to reduce operational friction so businesses can focus on growth, rather than payment administration.
The payment challenges SMEs are trying to solve
Across the event, we heard some recurring themes: the need for predictable costs when sending or receiving international payments; better visibility over the status of transfers; and simpler tools that integrate with existing workflows.
At the WorldFirst booth, visitors explored how the combined reach of SWIFT and the Alipay+ digital wallet network can connect four billion bank accounts to over 1.8 billion e-wallet users worldwide. For SMEs expanding into new markets or enterprises managing complex global operations, this means more options for receiving and disbursing funds without relying solely on traditional bank rails.
Solutions for different business stages
Attendees were nost interested in these three areas:
- Our bank-to-wallet platform, developed in partnership with Ant International, DANA Wallet and Standard Chartered
- Marketplace integration with 130+ marketplaces, allowing businesses to launch in 30+ new digital markets with a single click
- AI-powered treasury management and regional cash flow control, backed by robust support and regulatory readiness
A hub for conversations
SFF 2025 was as much about peer exchange as product demos. Visitors enjoyed event-only benefits and had the chance to ask detailed questions about local regulations settlement times, fraud controls and global wallet infrastructure. With sessions and panels across the expo exploring the future of fintech and global finance, businesses had clear insight into what tools can help them scale more efficiently.
Looking ahead
We’re proud to champion conversations about the future of finance – where seamless payments, smarter integrations, and global connections define business success. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and explored the next wave of fintech innovation with us. As Asia’s digital economy accelerates, we’re here to help you move money globally — and grow.
Missed us this year? Follow WorldFirst on LinkedIn for event highlights, industry insights, and the latest in cross-border solutions.
Insights from Voyage 2025: Reimagining international commerce
On 11 November, we joined other Ant International brands – including Alipay+, Antom and Bettr - to host over 1,000 guests, partners and industry leaders from across the region.
Nov / 2025
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The Accounting & Business Show Asia 2025: Powering smarter global payments
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Nov / 2025Businesses trust WorldFirst
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- Your money is safeguarded with leading financial institutions
