May 2026 product updates
Last update:
In May, we delivered updates across several key areas. The World Card gets new digital wallet support, team cards are self-serve in Hong Kong, and we expanded availability in Indonesia and the Philippines. Instant top-ups via PayTo in Australia mean faster access to funds. We’ve also improved the onboarding experience in some regions. And we introduce new marketplaces into our Global Voyage Program, letting World Account holders apply to sell on platforms like Amazon, Walmart and more.
World Card
Add the World Card to your Google Wallet in the UK
Google Pay – Add the World Card to your Google wallet
You can now add your World Card to your Google Wallet for contactless payments in-store and online, wherever Google Pay is accepted. Add it in one tap via the app and your real card number stays hidden throughout.
Current availability: UK, Europe; rolling out in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and other regions
Manage team spend in Hong Kong with the World Card
Corporate employee card – Invite employees to apply for a card
Employee card management is now fully self-serve in Hong Kong. Invite team members to apply for a corporate card directly from the World Account portal. You’ll still be able to set individual spend limits and view transactions in real time.
This gives finance teams and business owners the controls they need without the manual processes.
Current availability: Hong Kong (available on request); team cards rolling out in other regions
Apply for a virtual World Card in Indonesia and the Philippines
World Card – Apply directly via the online portal or app
Businesses in Indonesia and Philippines can now apply for a virtual World Card through the portal or app. Previously, accounts had to be individually enabled before a card could be issued. Now customers can apply themselves without having to wait or follow up.
New availability: Indonesia, Philippines
Marketplaces and growth
Apply to sell on marketplaces via the World Account in the UK and Australia
Global Voyage Program – Become a seller on major marketplaces
If you’ve got an active World Account, you can now apply to sell on global marketplaces directly from the World Account online portal, through the Global Voyage Program. It provides one place to apply to multiple marketplaces, rather than approaching each platform separately. Fill in your details and your application is fast-tracked to the marketplace’s onboarding team, with a higher chance of success than applying independently.
WorldFirst’s aim with the Global Voyage Program is to support your growth beyond payments – helping you access new sales channels without the usual legwork of applying to each platform independently. As we add marketplace partners, the program becomes a single starting point for expanding your e-commerce footprint globally.
Amazon, BuyToGive, Temu and Walmart are available in select regions, with more marketplaces to roll out globally.
Current availability: Australia (Amazon, Temu); Europe and UK (BuyToGive, Walmart); more marketplaces rolling out across various regions
Platform and onboarding
Onboarding improvements across multiple regions
New user onboarding guide and upgraded sign-up flows
New customers will find the sign-up and setup experience faster and more straightforward this month. Users in Europe, SEA and the UK get a guided setup with a smart task list that adapts to your business type. The goal is to get you to your first transaction with full clarity around navigation. In Malaysia, Nigeria and Poland, market-specific updates include upgraded KYC flows, more accurate company verification, automatic document reading for sole traders, and Polish language support.
Current availability: Europe, Malaysia, Nigeria, Poland, SEA, UK
Payments and collections
Top up the World Account instantly in Australia with PayTo
PayTo – Add funds from your bank account in real time
You can now set up a PayTo agreement between your Australian bank account and your World Account and add funds in seconds. No manual bank transfer or waiting for funds to clear. The agreement is a one-time setup. After that, whenever you need to cover a payment, fund a card transaction or just keep your balance where you want it, the funds arrive in your World Account immediately. Learn how to create a PayTo agreement and add funds here.
Availability: Australia
Security
Authenticate via WhatsApp in multiple regions
WhatsApp authentication – Now covers 12 key scenarios
WhatsApp is now supported for one-time password delivery across 12 scenarios, including registration, login, transfers, withdrawals and payments.
In markets where SMS infrastructure is unreliable or expensive, WhatsApp delivers verification codes faster and more reliably – so authentication doesn’t get in the way of your next payment.
Current availability: Africa, Latin America, SEA, South Asia
Not sure what’s available in your region? Your account manager can help. Don’t have a World Account yet? It’s free to open one here.
Abdul Muhit has 17 years' experience in banking and payments, spanning across regulation, payment networks, acquiring, issuing and treasury.
Abdul Muhit
Author
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