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Latest News
Ant Group’s Consumer Finance Unit in Chongqing Wins Operating Approval
Chongqing Ant Consumer Finance Co. Ltd., has won approval to begin operating in the southwestern Chinese city, the Chongqing bureau of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission announced. Ant holds a 50% stake while six other shareholders own the remainder of the consumer finance unit, which will serve the needs of consumers while continually enhancing the quality of financial services and risk management capabilities. Read about this on CNBC and Reuters.
AntChain Becomes Official Blockchain Partner of UEFA Football Games
AntChain became the official global blockchain partner of UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA national team football under a five year partnership agreement. Under the partnership, AntChain and UEFA will jointly explore how blockchain technology can be used to further the digital transformation of the football industry and improve the experiences of fans around the world. See details at The Paypers.
Tech for Good
MasterCard and Ant Partner for Greener Action
Several companies including Ant Group, Mastercard, and BBVA formed a global partnership called the Every Action Counts coalition to encourage greener consumer behavior. The coalition, launched by the Green Digitial Finance Alliance, has set a target of creating a billion “green digital champions” by 2025. Ant will encourage users to adopt low carbon activities in daily life, while Mastercard will launch a reforestation initiative. Read more from FinExtra.
QR code Technology Provides Payments Solutions for Logistics and Delivery Workers in the Philippines
During the pandemic, many Filipinos have relied on delivery and courier services to stay safe while shopping for essentials. GCash has partnered with key logistics and delivery service firms to provide secure payment solutions for customers and riders through its GCash QR code service – ensuring that both parties have peace of mind. Read more at MSN Money.
Around the World
bKash Users Receive Discount for Online Doctors Appointments During Pandemic
Users in Bangladesh can receive discounts of up to 50% on health check-ups and doctors consultations online when they pay with local e-wallet provider bKash at three healthcare service providers. Patients can also receive discounted Covid-19 test services from home using bKash. The service is aimed at curbing the risk of Covid-19 infections for patients and their relatives. Read more at MSN Asia.
GCash Receives Two Awards from Asian Banker’s Excellence in Retail Financial Services
The Asian Banker’s Excellence in Retail Financial Services International Awards 2021 recognized GCash as the “Best Financial Inclusion Initiative/Application” for its Social Amelioration Program, which was implemented as a partnership with the government during the pandemic. It was also awarded the “Best Digital Brand Campaign” for its innovative #FightCOVID19 program. This year marks the awards' 20th anniversary. More details in BusinessWorld.
Did You Know?
Two NFT Images Sold on Alipay
The non-fungible tokens (NFT)-backed images were put on Alipay and quickly sold out this month. NFT digital artworks are also auctioned on Alibaba's platform that can be accessed by Ant's Alipay app. Read more from Reuters.
Alipay Among Four Chinese Companies Sponsoring UEFA Euro Championship
Those who tuned into the UEFA European Championship may have recognized Alipay’s logo on and off the field. This year, Chinese companies made up one third of the 12 top-tier sponsors. Read more from China Daily.
Latest News
Vanguard Sees Ant Group Partnership as Cornerstone of Its China Strategy
U.S.-based Vanguard, the world’s second-largest asset manager, is focusing on its joint venture with Ant Group as its main route into China. Its service on the Alipay app is called “help you invest” in Mandarin and had over-500,000 Chinese users at the end of 2020. Read more in the Wall Street Journal.
Trust-Building With Blockchain Among Fintech’s Trends in 2021: Ant CTO
Fortune Magazine published an op-ed by Ant Group Chief Technology Officer Ni Xingjun where he described the priorities for fintech innovation this year. These include blockchain and privacy-preserving computation technology to deepen global cooperation, strengthening financial inclusion, and spurring green efforts to address climate change. Read the piece in Fortune.
Tech for Good
bKash Joins Government Incentive Program to Support Bangladeshi Farmers
The Bangladeshi government is providing incentives to nearly half a million local farmers affected by tax in the country’s fisheries and livestock sectors. The stimulus is being distributed by mobile financial services provider bKash, as well as through cash and bank accounts. Full details in Dhaka Tribune.
Philippines Picks GCash to Distribute Subsidies for Covid-Impacted Drivers
The Philippines Department of Transportation selected GCash to distribute subsidies to qualified Public Utility Vehicle drivers, such as jeepney and bus drivers. Approximately 60,000 drivers impacted by the pandemic will receive a monetary subsidy through GCash, providing additional income from this program. Read more in the Manilla Times.
Around the World
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Partners with Alipay to Boost Digitalization
A three-way partnership between Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Alipay and China Duty Free Group was recently announced to connect the retailers with consumers through innovative digital solutions on Alipay. The collaboration started with a digital coupon promotion for shoppers at Pernod Ricard-owned boutique, Martell. Read more here.
bKash Receives Highest Security Certification
Bangladesh’s largest mobile service provider, bKash, has become the country’s first to receive the payment card industry data security standard (PCI DSS) certification, one of the industry’s highest security standards for safeguarding consumer data. Read more in Financial Express.
GCash Partners with Telcoin for Canada-Philippine Remittance; Launches Global Funds
The mobile wallet launched an affordable and convenient remittance corridor between Canada and the Philippines in collaboration with blockchain fintech platform Telcoin. See the news here. Separately, GCash is also offering new global feeder funds on its mobile application that provides more options for users to invest their saving in local equities and bonds. Read more here.
Did You Know?
China Set to be First Country with Majority of Sales From E-commerce in 2021
Research firm eMarketer expects China will be the first country in the world with a majority of retail sales transacted online, as the pandemic has boosted the trend of online spending, as reflected in the better-than-expected Spring Festival holiday sales in February. Read more in South China Morning Post.
Alipay on Social
Social Media Highlight – Instagram
To celebrate Spring Festival, we launched a Year of the Ox filter that encouraged participants to take part with their friends or family members in order to “summon” a special feature. The campaign attracted almost 40 million views in eight days, with 1,500 netizens sharing their works.
Try it here: https://www.instagram.com/ar/421396132615895/?ch=YTAwZGFjNDY2ZDQwNzQ1OTU4MmQwNDJmOTRlYmFjOTA%3D
Latest News
Manchester City Launches Alipay Partnership
Manchester City entered a new partnership with Alipay by launching an official club Mini Program in the app. The Mini Program provides fans a new engagement experience, allowing them to engage through targeted content, extensive retail offerings and various membership activities. Read more in Soccerex.
Tech for Good
AutoNavi Launches Elderly-Friendly “One-Key Taxi” Function
AutoNavi announced the launch of its taxi-hailing services with the “one-key taxi” function that caters to the elderly. Available in Alipay, the new function frees users from manually entering the starting and destination points and allows them to choose to pay either in cash or non-cash. Read more on TechGenyz.
AI in China: How Creating Machine Learning Jobs is Transforming Lives and Reuniting Families in Rural Communities
The A-Idol Initiative by Alipay Foundation, Alibaba AI Labs, and the China Women’s Development Foundation has helped eight poverty-stricken counties create hundreds of AI-related jobs. Read more details on Alipay’s Medium page.
Blockchain Used By China’s Porcelain Capital to Verify Authenticity Ceramic PIeces
Ant Group's blockchain technology being used to trace authentic Jingdezhen porcelain and help protect the hand-made ceramics industry. For more details, check out this video.
Around the World
Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway and AlipayHK Lanch a QR Code Payment Serivce
Passengers can pay for subway rides by scanning a QR Code at all 93 stations on the MTR. The payment service is expected to cover 80-90 percent of Hong Kong's public transportation by 2021. Read more here.
Bangladesh Users of bKash Can Now Pay Utility Bill on App
Customers from Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet city corporations can pay their Water Supply and Sewerage Authority bill through bKash, avoiding long lines at bank branches and service providers. Full details in the Dhaka Tribune.
Philippines GCash Online Shopping Transactions Hit P16 Billion in 2020
The mobile wallet posted P16 billion transactions in 2020 on popular online shopping portals during the pandemic while also helping more than 600,000 merchants and social online sellers use GCash as the primary mode of payment. Read more here.
Did You Know?
Sweden Set to be Completely Cashless by 2023
While China has been known to prefer cashless transactions via platforms like Alipay over the last ten years, Sweden is predicted to be completely cashless by 2023, running solely on digital and card payments. Many local businesses like bars and restaurants, even banks, have already stopped handling cash. Read more in Vice News.
Last year was a challenging one for the world, but let’s look forward to the new year with hope. Wishing all our readers a happy 2021, and thank you for walking with us!
Latest News
Ant Group Among Recipients of Singapore Digital Bank Licenses
Singapore has awarded digital bank licenses to several major Asian technology companies including Ant Group, in what is considered one of the biggest shifts of the country’s banking sector in years, opening it to Asia’s largest tech companies for the first time. See the news in the Financial Times.
Alipay and MTR to Launch QR Code Payment Service in January 2021
MTR Corporation and Alipay will launch a brand-new QR code payment service on January 23, 2021. This will enable MTR passengers to use a QR code ticket on the MTR Mobile or EasyGo, promoting smart mobility and enhancing customer experience. Read the press release here.
Tech for Good
Ant Group Predicts Blockchain as Essential Global Recovery
Guofei Jiang, President of Ant’s Intelligent Technology Business Group, penned an op-ed for Ledger Insights explaining how blockchain technology builds trust and has continued to grow, especially in light of a more digitized world resulting from the global Covid-19 pandemic. He predicts that the scalability and security of blockchain technology will help drive progress and innovation across industries. Read the op-ed here.
Around the World
First Bank in Indonesia, BRI, Gets Approval to Accept and Process Alipay Wallet Transactions in the Country
Indonesia’s state lender obtained approval from the Financial Services Authority and Bank Indonesia to act as an acquirer in Alipay e-wallet transactions. The approval is expected to increase cashless transactions by using a local QR code, called a “Standard Quick Response Code (QRIS).” Read more in Jakarta Post.
WorldFirst CEO: Digital Payments to Drive Opportunities in Post-Pandemic World
Jeff Parker, CEO of WorldFirst, an Ant Group subsidiary, opined that Covid-19 has brought lasting changes to global consumer habits from Europe to South and Southeast Asia. He writes that this is powering a digital payments revolution that will bring huge opportunities, especially for SMEs. Read the article in Netherlands-based magazine The Paypers here.
Did You Know?
Deloitte Study Backed by Ant Shows E-commerce Growth in Southeast Asia
At this year’s INCLUSION Fintech Conference organized by Ant Group, Deloitte commissioned a report titled "The Next Wave" Emerging Digital Life in South and Southeast Asia. According to the report, the contribution of e-commerce to Malaysia's GDP has grown steadily, reaching about $28 billion in 2018. Read more in The Edge Markets.
Ant Bank Is Officially Open For Business in Hong Kong
Hong Kong citizens can now enjoy 24/7 banking services offered by Ant Bank, including easy-to-use money transfer and access to high-yield savings accounts with annual interest rates up to 2.5% on deposits. In addition to attractive rates, Ant Bank will also partner with AlipayHK to integrate banking services into consumer needs such as clothing, food, rent, transportation and entertainment. Read more in The Standard.
Cross-border Trade Platform Trusple Launched
Ant Group launched a global trade and financial services platform, Trusple. The platform aims to make it easier and less costly for all participants – especially SMEs – to sell to customers around the world. It also reduces costs for financial institutions so they can better serve SMEs in need. Read more in Reuters.
Bangladesh’s First Blockchain Remittance Service Launched Using Ant Technology
Standard Chartered Bank, together with bKash of Bangladesh and Valyou of Malaysia, launched the first blockchain-based cross-border remittance service in Bangladesh, facilitating instant transfers from Malaysia. See more in The Daily Star.
Did You Know?
In Malaysia, Mooncakes Are Now Traceable To Ensure Food Safety
With the adoption of AntChain’s Traceability-as-a-Service solution, customers buying from well-known mooncake maker Overseas Enterprise during the holiday season can now trace the products’ origins, verify Halal certifications, and check expiration dates simply via a mobile app. The leading Chinese restaurant group is the first local SME to adopt AntChain solutions in Southeast Asia. Read more on Disruptive Tech ASEAN.
Women in Tech
Cyber Mulan Initiative to Help Accelerate Women’s Digital Skills
Alibaba Group and Ant Group announced a new initiative to promote women in technology and entrepreneurship. Dubbed “Cyber Mulan,” the five-year plan aims to help 50 million women reach their goals through tangible support and solutions, including digital-skills training programs and interest-free loans aimed at female entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises. Read in Alizila.
Two Ant Executives Named Forbes’ China Top 50 Women in Tech
Quan Yu, the Head of Risk Management at Ant Group, and Dr. Ying Yan, Senior Staff Engineer at Ant Blockchain, were among the top 50 women in tech by Forbes China in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Read more about Quan and Ying on Ant’s Medium page.
Curiosity, flexibility and adaptability were some some of the 🔑 traits that led Carolina Solari into the exciting world of technology with @alipay and @alibaba.group — China’s leading internet firms — back in 2016.
Read about her journey here:
https://link.medium.com/u7Ov920o38
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8LgUI-pqtx/?igshid=19n9cg07blzmn
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Latest News
Ant Group Unveils 2020 Sustainability Report
The report highlighted Ant Group’s commitments to bring inclusive development and environmental sustainability through digital technology. It outlined the company’s efforts and progress in supporting SMEs’ pandemic recovery, adopting and implementing green initiatives, and creating more development opportunities for women. Read the press release here and this story in Fintech Times.
Tech for Good
Using Innovative Applications of Digital Technology to Help Developing World Move Beyond Pandemic
Ni Xingjun, Chief Technology Officer at Ant Group, wrote an opinion piece in SCMP about the importance of equipping people in the developing and least developed world with the digital skills to tackle the challenges brought by the pandemic. The piece also featured the 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion initiative by Alipay and IFC to train 10,000 tech leaders over a decade to benefit these regions. Read the column here.
Ant Group Featured in New Book On Businesses Doing Good
In the new book, Beyond Good: How Technology is Leading a Purpose-driven Business Revolution, Bradley Leimer and Theodora Lau explored how Ant utilized its innovative and impact-oriented solutions and initiatives to promote a sustainable and inclusive future. Read more here and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and All Players.
Around the World
Fly-Food Mini Program on Alipay Brings Chinese Cuisine to Expats in Thailand During Pandemic
Fly-Food launched a mini program on Alipay with a focus on serving Chinese expats living and working in Thailand, anticipating a surge in demand as people were craving for hometown food due to travel restrictions. Forty percent of the 1,500 restaurants joined the platform since the pandemic outbreak, and some earned more than half of their revenue from orders through Fly-Food. Read more in Business Times.
bKash Now Available to foodpanda Users in Bangladesh
Users of foodpanda can now use bKash as a payment when ordering food and groceries while also recieiving execlusive discount offers. The partnership brings more accessible, contactless and convenient digital payment services to customers in Bangladesh. See more in The Daily Star.
Alipay Helps UK Retailers Tap Chinese Tourists this Summer
With reduced international travel amid the pandemic, London-based retailers such as Harrods and Selfridges adopted Alipay to allow Chinese shoppers to shop and pay remotely and help broaden their offerings to include VIP sales, live-streaming, and “click and collect”. See more in Drapers.
Did You Know?
Buses in Hong Kong Extends QR Code Payments
Hong Kong’s Citybus and New World First Bus are extending QR code payments on over 300 routes through AlipayHK's EasyGo. Read more in The Standard.
Alipay on Social
Top Post of the Month – Instagram
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital technologies such as digital payments, food delivery and telemedicine. However, many elderly people still struggle to understand how they work. We worked with Quan Zhou @gazpachoagridulce, a Chinese-Andalusian illustrator based in Madrid, Spain to help remind younger users to be patient and help the elderly around them get on the digital bandwagon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COKxq6Sr02q/?utm_medium=copy_link
2021 just arrived! 🎆🎇Just 1 step to know what fortune 🥠 you will capture in this brand NEW YEAR💝: Screenshot while video is playing. Share the lucky🍀 screenshot to your loved one~ together let’s make #2021 the year of luck and peace~!
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Tech for Good
Ant Forest Promoting Carbon Reduction Behavior
According to the Green Digital Finance Alliance, an alliance formed by Ant Group and the UN Environment Programme, using digital platforms to promote and spread awareness about carbon emissions leads to measurable behavioral change among consumers. The alliance estimates digital promotions can incentivize mitigation activities and reduce public transport emissions by 8.6%. Read the story in Finextra.
Did You Know?
Ant Group’s Evolution from Payments App to “Technology Champion”
In 2004, Alipay was created to facilitate digital payments on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms. Since then, the company has evolved in its mission, services and capabilities with a range of businesses from asset management to technology. Read the full SCMP story here.
Alipay Remains China’s Largest Mobile Payment Company
According to iResearch, an independent market research firm, Alipay held over 55% of China’s third-party mobile payment market during the first quarter of 2020. Read more in DIGICONasia.
MYbank Unveils 5-Year Plan to Serve More SMEs in China
Ant’s MYbank announced a five-year plan to work with partners to better serve SMEs across China, including leveraging supply chain finance to support 10 million SMEs, providing rural lending, and serving 40 million female business owners. Read more on Yahoo Finance.
Pet Insurance Now Offered on Alipay
Alipay has developed a new feature that can recognize animal nose prints, said to be the first application of such technologies in China. Using this identification method, Alipay has partnered with insurance companies to provide insurance services for pet cats and dogs. See the article in Caixin.
https://twitter.com/alipay/status/1232885688221102081?s=21
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