UBS and Ant International agreed to jointly implement blockchain technologies in their payment infrastructure to increase speed, transparency, and security of international settlements.
UBS и Ant International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop blockchain solutions for cross-border payments and liquidity management. The document establishes a strategic partnership in tokenized payments and the further development of digital financial instruments.
Under the MoU, Ant International will integrate UBS Digital Cash, a blockchain platform launched by UBS in pilot mode in 2024. The solution will automate Ant International’s global treasury operations, enabling instant and more secure international payments.
The companies also intend to explore opportunities in tokenized deposits. The infrastructure will include Ant International’s own blockchain platform, Whale, designed for treasury operations management. The integrated solution will provide 24/7, real-time, multi-currency cash flows between Ant International’s divisions, removing limitations associated with traditional banking hours and improving the efficiency of global liquidity management.
Young Jin Yee, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, emphasized that the partnership strengthens the success of last year’s UBS Digital Cash pilot. According to her, combining UBS’s expertise in digital assets with Ant International’s technologies will create a new standard of transparency and efficiency in international payments and expand client capabilities in global markets.
Kelvin Li, Global Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, noted that the company highly values its collaboration with UBS, one of the world’s leading banks with hands-on experience in blockchain innovation. He stressed that both sides share the belief in the transformational potential of decentralized technologies for international payments and expect to amplify their impact through partnership.
In June 2025, another major Ant International project became known, launched in partnership with Deutsche Bank, also focused on developing cross-border payment solutions using tokenized deposits and stablecoins.
