Tapping into global markets with digital cross-border payments

With the potential to access previously untapped markets, real-time cross-border digital payment methods are opening up opportunities for businesses in emerging APAC economies looking for a global reach.

Alternative payment methods (APMs) such as instant payments, digital wallets, and mobile money are fast becoming mainstream among businesses in Asia Pacific.

With B2B digital payments becoming a key pillar of digital transformation and the digital economy, how are cross-border e-commerce, business transactions, financial inclusion, and customer and employee experience in the region impacted?

We find out from Sean Yu, VP of Merchant Success, APAC, EBANX, which recently obtained In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

We see this transformation firsthand as UPI has become the dominant force in India’s digital economy, accounting for 55% of digital commerce transactions, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data in Beyond Borders 2025.

With projections indicating that UPI will reach over US$150 billion in online transactions by 2027, this shift is not just about payments — it’s about the future of financial inclusion and digital acceleration in the region.

A2A payment systems are breaking traditional barriers by promoting interoperability, streamlining the movement of money, and reducing reliance on cards. At the same time, they are fostering innovations within the card market as well as being impacted by it, which ultimately helps to improve the user experience. This has profound implications for businesses, particularly international merchants entering India.

Through our platform, we enable global merchants to seamlessly integrate UPI for both one-time and recurring payments, solving the complexities of local payment acceptance and ensuring compliance with India’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Beyond just transactions, A2A methods also play a pivotal role in access to credit. While only 20% of India’s population has a credit card (per the World Bank in Beyond Borders 2025), we’re seeing innovative hybrid solutions emerge — such as the integration of credit cards with UPI — allowing consumers to tap into credit seamlessly within a payment experience they already trust.

This not only expands digital commerce but also enhances financial inclusion by providing new credit access points for underbanked populations.

At EBANX, we focus on high-potential sectors in India like streaming, SaaS, and online education, where digital payments are unlocking new opportunities. India’s shift from a cash-based economy to a leader in digital payments is accelerating, with digital payments surpassing cash for key expenses like utilities. As this transformation unfolds, our global expertise in fast-growing payment systems—such as Pix in Brazil—positions us as a key partner in helping businesses navigate India’s digital commerce revolution.

Ultimately, UPI and other local payment methods have moved beyond being alternatives — they are now the backbone of digital commerce, driving economic growth and connecting Indian businesses and consumers to the global digital economy.

How are B2B real-time digital payments impacting the way business is transacted and the way businesses are run today, especially in terms of customer experience, employee experience, workflow and inventory management, and cash flow management?

Yu: The rise of real-time digital payments is revolutionizing B2B transactions, significantly enhancing customer experience, operational workflows, inventory management, and cash flow for businesses of all sizes. At EBANX, we deeply understand how account-to-account (A2A) transfers and instant payments like Pix in Brazil or SPEI in Mexico are transforming the way businesses interact with suppliers, partners, and financial systems.

One of the biggest impacts is on cashflow management. Traditional B2B payments have long been a challenge — often taking up to 14 days for settlement and involving up to six intermediaries (according to Beyond Borders 2024, our previous study).

Internal data from EBANX has shown that, with real-time digital payments, transactions can be confirmed in as little as 30 minutes with Pix or 4 hours with SPEI, dramatically reducing payment cycles and freeing up working capital. This is especially critical for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and cross-border merchants that rely on efficient cash flow to sustain operations and growth.

Businesses are streamlining their workflows with faster and more reliable transactions. In Brazil alone, Pix dominates B2B payments with a 51% share, followed by boleto bancário at 25%. By way of comparison, in P2B online purchases, Pix accounts for 20%, while boleto represents 10%, per internal data of EBANX.

This shift toward instant payments allows businesses to optimize their inventory management, ensuring quicker supplier payments and reducing stock shortages. The impact on customer and employee experience is equally profound.

Real-time payments have the potential to ease financial operations, reducing administrative burdens associated with manual reconciliation and delayed transactions. Employees responsible for finance and procurement have options to operate with greater efficiency, focusing on strategic growth rather than chasing payments.

While cash payments and credit cards remain relevant for B2B transactions, the increasing adoption of digital and alternative payments is unlocking new opportunities for e-commerce in this space. Our partnership with XTransfer, for instance, is a testament to how global businesses exporting to Latin America are embracing local payment methods to enhance their trade operations.

As the B2B payments landscape continues to evolve, end-to-end digital payment solutions will be the next frontier, ensuring businesses can transact with speed, security, and confidence across borders.

What does EBANX’s MPI license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) mean for global merchants and businesses expanding into emerging markets?

Yu: EBANX’s In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from MAS is a significant milestone in EBANX’s story in APAC and for our global merchants and businesses expanding into emerging markets, while solidifying us as a key player in global payments. The license will enable EBANX to strengthen its offerings within its global settlement hub – Singapore.

Singapore is known for its robust financial regulations. The In-Principle Approval (IPA) for the MPI license signifies that EBANX meets the highest compliance standards, giving our global merchants confidence in the security, reliability, and regulatory integrity of EBANX’s payment services.

The IPA for the license is also a milestone for strengthening EBANX’s presence in APAC even more – With 39% of our total processed volume coming from APAC, we are deepening our commitment to the region. The IPA for the license supports our growing operations in India and our focus on merchants from countries across the region, like China, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, making us a stronger payment partner for businesses looking to enter emerging markets.

EBANX’s ability to offer localized payment methods and settle globally will be further enhanced, making it easier for global companies to operate in emerging markets. This includes APMs such as instant payments, digital wallets, and mobile money, which are increasingly preferred in regions like Latin America, Africa, and India.

How else could businesses in the APAC region leverage the fintech ecosystem to tap into global markets? 

Yu: Businesses in the APAC region have a tremendous opportunity to leverage the fintech ecosystem to expand globally, particularly into high-growth emerging markets like Latin America, Africa, and India.

The rapid digital transformation across these regions — coupled with innovations in the cards landscape and innovative payment methods like UPI in India, Pix in Brazil, and mobile money in Kenya — has created an environment where APAC merchants can tap into millions of new customers through localized and frictionless payment experiences.

Our insights from the Beyond Borders 2025 study based on World Data Lab data show that consumer spending in Southeast Asia and India is set to grow by 122% over the next decade, outpacing other emerging economies. At the same time, digital commerce in Latin America and Africa is accelerating at double-digit growth rates. E-commerce in those emerging markets is presenting a $1.3 trillion opportunity by 2027 for global companies, according to PCMI data in Beyond Borders 2025.

One of the key strategies for APAC businesses looking to expand beyond their home markets is embracing APMs that align with local consumer preferences. In India, UPI dominates e-commerce transactions, as I mentioned before. In Brazil, Pix is revolutionizing digital commerce, and with the upcoming launch of Pix Automático, businesses will gain even greater access to recurring revenue streams – particularly important for businesses based on subscriptions, like streaming and SaaS.

Another major growth lever is instalment payments, a crucial payment method for businesses entering Latin America. Our data shows that companies offering installment options in Brazil see an average 40% increase in weekly revenue, with an APAC gaming platform experiencing up to 169% growth in Average Order Value (AOV) over the course of one year.

By localizing payment experiences and adapting to cultural purchasing behaviors, businesses can drive stronger engagement and long-term customer loyalty in new markets.

At EBANX, we are committed to being the bridge between APAC merchants and the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. Our technology integrates more than 200 payment methods across 29 countries, enabling businesses to scale efficiently.

As emerging markets continue to lead the evolution of digital payments, APAC companies that adopt a well-planned, localized payment strategy can expand their global reach and increase revenue.