KASIKORNBANK and Ant International Sign Strategic Agreement on Cross-Border Payments in Thailand
Photo Credit: Art International
Finance Blog
•
Finance Blog •
BANGKOK, May 30, 2026 (FINANCE INTERVIEWS) — Financial institution KASIKORNBANK (KBank) and digital payments provider Ant International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cross-border payment and liquidity management infrastructure in Thailand.
Finance News
•
Finance News •
Under the agreement, KBank will combine its regulated banking capabilities with Ant International’s financial AI solutions to support real-time cross-border USD transactions. The initiative is expected to leverage Blockchain Deposit Accounts from Kinexys by J.P. Morgan to facilitate real-time USD liquidity movement and support continuous 24/7 operations, subject to legal and regulatory approvals.
The collaboration aims to enhance inbound and outbound transaction and settlement efficiency for merchants within Ant International’s ecosystem.
The partnership builds on KBank’s existing relationship with Ant International’s Alipay+ platform, which connects KBank’s KPLUS mobile banking application to a network of merchants and consumer accounts globally. KPLUS is also available as a payment option on Google Pay for Thai merchants through integration with Antom, Ant International’s merchant payment service.
“This collaboration addresses a fundamental limitation in today’s cross-border financial systems, where liquidity movement remains constrained by fragmented infrastructure. By integrating blockchain with regulated financial systems, we are enabling a more continuous, transparent, and scalable flow of funds between global networks and local economies,” said Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich, Executive Vice President of KASIKORNBANK.
“Across emerging markets, industry leaders like KBank are preparing communities for a more interconnected global economy with broader and more secure application of AI and blockchain technology. We are thrilled to support KBank with such fintech solutions to empower Thai merchants – especially small businesses – with more efficient payment tools to thrive globally,” said Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech and Senior Vice President at Ant International.
According to the companies, further development and potential implementation of the initiative will be undertaken in consultation with regulatory authorities and will require necessary approvals before any live deployment.
For more information, visit www.kasikornbank.com and www.ant-intl.com.
Source: Ant International
