UBS and Ant International Partner to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments with Blockchain Technology
UBS, a global leader in financial services, has announced a strategic partnership with Ant International, a pioneer in digital payments, digitization, and financial technology. This collaboration aims to explore innovations in blockchain-based tokenized deposits, with the goal of enhancing Ant International’s global payments settlement and liquidity management capabilities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the partnership was signed at UBS’s flagship office located at 9 Penang Road in Singapore.
Leveraging Blockchain for Enhanced Efficiency and Transparency
Under the MoU, Ant International will utilize UBS Digital Cash, a blockchain-based payment platform that was piloted in 2024. This platform is designed to support Ant International’s global treasury operations by enabling cross-border payments that are faster, more transparent, and highly secure. By integrating blockchain technology into its treasury processes, Ant International aims to streamline fund flows, reduce operational inefficiencies, and enhance the overall security of its financial transactions.
For UBS, this partnership represents an opportunity to refine and expand its cross-border payment solutions for clients worldwide. By applying its expertise in blockchain and digital assets, UBS seeks to deliver cutting-edge financial tools that address the evolving needs of global businesses. The collaboration underscores UBS’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to empower its clients and provide them with greater access to global financial markets.
Exploring Joint Innovations in Tokenized Deposits
A key focus of the partnership is the exploration of joint innovations in tokenized deposits. These digital representations of traditional deposits on a blockchain offer significant advantages, including real-time transaction processing, enhanced transparency, and improved liquidity management. The collaboration will integrate Ant International’s proprietary Whale platform—a next-generation blockchain-based treasury management solution—into the connected ecosystem.
The Whale platform is designed to facilitate real-time, multi-currency fund flows between Ant International’s entities worldwide. By removing the constraints of traditional payment cut-off times, the platform enables seamless and transparent global liquidity management. This innovation not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures that funds are allocated optimally across geographies, supporting Ant International’s mission to deliver superior financial services.
A Shared Vision for Blockchain Innovation
Young Jin Yee, Co-Head of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head of UBS Singapore, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration with Ant International builds on the momentum of our UBS Digital Cash pilot launch last year. By combining our expertise in digital assets with Ant’s advanced blockchain technology, we are working together to deliver a real-time, multi-currency payment solution that sets new standards for transparency and efficiency. This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering our clients with best-in-class platforms and providing them with greater access to global financial markets.”
Kelvin Li, Global Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, echoed this sentiment, stating: “We are pleased to partner with UBS, a leading global bank with a proven track record in blockchain innovation. We share a common belief in the transformative potential of these technologies to revolutionize cross-border payments. With UBS’s global expertise and support, we look forward to driving greater impact and delivering value to our clients.”
Driving Digital Transformation in Financial Services
The partnership between UBS and Ant International reflects a shared commitment to innovation and digital transformation in the financial services industry. By harnessing the power of blockchain technology, both companies aim to address longstanding challenges in cross-border payments, such as high costs, slow processing times, and lack of transparency. Their collaboration also aligns with broader industry trends toward digitization, as businesses increasingly seek efficient and secure ways to manage global transactions.
For UBS, this initiative reinforces its goal of creating greater client value through technological advancements. The integration of blockchain into its service offerings positions the bank as a leader in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape. Meanwhile, Ant International continues to solidify its reputation as a trailblazer in fintech innovation, leveraging its expertise to deliver transformative solutions that meet the needs of modern enterprises.
Transforming Global Liquidity Management
One of the most significant outcomes of this partnership is the potential to revolutionize global liquidity management. Traditional systems often face limitations due to time-zone differences, intermediary banks, and rigid payment schedules. By contrast, the blockchain-based solution developed through this collaboration offers real-time, multi-currency transactions that are unconstrained by these factors. This capability allows businesses to optimize their cash flow, reduce idle capital, and respond more effectively to market demands.
Moreover, the transparency provided by blockchain technology ensures that all parties involved in a transaction have access to accurate and up-to-date information. This level of visibility not only builds trust but also enables better decision-making, ultimately driving operational excellence.
