FINTECH

-

CBS LINE

Volume 3(11)

A Cross-Border Shift: How DBS and Ant International are quietly rewriting the future of Payments

Earlier this month, DBS Bank and Ant International announced a partnership that, while easy to overlook amidst constant fintech headlines, could quietly change how people across Asia move money. Cross-border payments are often messy due to slow transfers, surprise fees, and platforms that don’t talk to each other. This collaboration aims to smooth out many of those long-standing problems.

One of the most noticeable outcomes for everyday users is the integration of DBS PayLah! with Alipay+, Ant International’s global digital payments network. With this change, DBS customers will soon be able to make QR-code payments at more than 150 million merchants in over 100 countries. For travellers, international students, and anyone who shops across borders, this brings consistency and comfort. Instead of juggling unfamiliar payment apps or worrying about exchange rates, users can simply scan and pay the way they already do at home.

Another meaningful improvement is in remittances. Millions of families rely on money sent from abroad, often dealing with delays or high service charges. By connecting DBS directly with Alipay+’s enormous global user base, transfers can become faster, cheaper, and far more predictable. For households dependent on these funds, such changes can make a real difference in day-to-day life.

The partnership also has implications for small businesses. Many SMEs struggle with digital adoption, especially when interacting with global customers. By offering better tools and easier international payment options, DBS and Ant International could help these businesses participate more confidently in global commerce.

Interestingly, the collaboration doesn’t stop at payments. Both organizations plan to explore tokenized deposits using blockchain, an early sign of how the future of banking might evolve toward real-time, transparent systems.

Of course, challenges remain, from navigating regulations to ensuring cybersecurity. But overall, this partnership points toward a more connected financial world, one where sending, spending, and receiving money across borders feels a lot less complicated.

Maya Parvathy

Econometrics and Financial Technology

Location: 28WG+7W Kochi, Kerala, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Voices and Views

-
Image
     CBS LINE Volume 3.9  DR.D.MAVOOTHU Professor & Former Director, SMS CUSAT. Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences,CUSAT. Member of Syndicate, CUSAT. Member of Court Central University of Kerala, Kasargode 1)What does ‘business ethics’ mean in today’s world, and why it is important not just for big companies but also for ordinary people? We develop ethical principles and expand our understanding of ethics in much the same way we advance scientific knowledge—through experience, reflection, and continuous improvement. This evolving approach is known as pragmatic ethics. Over time, significant progress has been made in areas such as equal opportunity, responsible product and service practices, tax compliance, and adherence to prudential regulations. These advancements have led to positive outcomes, and I believe this progress will continue. Overall, I remain optimistic about the future of business ethics. 2)What ethical responsibilities do businesses and leaders have...
Read more

INTERVIEW WITH KERALA FINANCE MINISTER

-
Image
CBS LINE Volume 3(10) CBS Students Hold Exclusive Interview with Kerala’s Finance Minister At the Vision 2031 conference organized by the Department of Finance, Government of Kerala , students from the Centre for Budget Studies (CBS) had the opportunity to engage directly with Hon. Finance Minister Shri K.N. Balagopal in a special interview granted upon the request of the CBS delegation. The discussion focused on Kerala’s fiscal priorities and its long-term development vision.                                  CBS Students with  Hon. Finance Minister Shri K.N. Balagopal   The CBS students asked: “Given that the state has reached an advanced welfare stage, should the government focus more on revenue generation or on restructuring expenditure to ensure long-term fiscal stability?” In his response, Hon. Finance Minister Shri K.N. Balagopal remarked “In the current context, the government sho...
Read more

Monitoring GST Cuts: Role of the Anti-Profiteering Body

-
Image
  CBS LINE Volume 3.9  Anti-profiteering refers to regulatory provisions that ensure consumers benefit from tax rate cuts through proportional price reductions. With the upcoming revisions in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates across various goods and services, the role of the Anti-Profiteering Committee becomes more crucial than ever. Established under the GST framework, the committee ensures that any reduction in tax rates or benefits of input tax credit is passed on to consumers in the form of commensurate price reductions. India has overhauled its GST structure, reducing the earlier four tax slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) into just two main rates—5% and 18% for most goods and services, while instituting a higher 40% rate for luxury items. Several essential and household items, including packaged food, daily essentials have seen their GST rates cut significantly, easing the burden on consumers. Several everyday food items will see a tax reduction from 18% to 5%.  As new GS...
Read more