Ant, Standard Chartered and Swift Launch Bank-to-Wallet Payments

August 28, 2025 • FinTech News

Ant International, Standard Chartered, and Swift have partnered to pilot a groundbreaking bank-to-wallet payment service. This initiative integrates ISO 20022 messaging standards with Swift’s global financial infrastructure. The collaboration, now in live production trials, aims to streamline cross-border transactions and expand digital wallet access worldwide.

Successful Initial Transactions and Technical Framework

The partners completed the first successful transactions between a Standard Chartered Bank account and a partner e-wallet through Alipay+. This global wallet gateway service operates under Ant International’s umbrella. The transfers utilized Swift’s established bank-to-bank network while implementing ISO 20022 standards. This emerging global standard for financial messaging enables more structured and data-rich transactions.

Global Reach and Market Impact

Once fully operational, the new system will provide access to 1.7 billion accounts across 36 digital wallets within the Alipay+ ecosystem. This expansion will significantly increase interoperability between traditional banks and digital wallets globally. The initiative addresses growing demand for seamless cross-border payments that offer greater speed, transparency, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional channels.

Strategic Importance and Executive Perspective

Michael Spiegel, Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered, emphasized the collaboration’s strategic significance. He stated: “This partnership demonstrates our ability to innovate at scale and highlights our platform’s versatility. Our strategic relationships with both Swift and Ant International enable us to push financial boundaries while maintaining security and regulatory compliance.” This project reflects Standard Chartered’s commitment to shaping the future of global finance through technological innovation.

Broader Collaboration Context

This payment initiative builds upon previous collaborative projects between Standard Chartered and Ant International. Just one day before this announcement, the two organizations unveiled an AI-powered treasury and foreign exchange forecasting system. That system aims to improve corporate cash flow management and enhance foreign exchange exposure predictions. Together, these developments signal a movement toward increasingly interoperable, digitally integrated, and AI-enhanced global financial ecosystems.

Industry Implications and Future Development

The partnership represents a significant step toward bridging traditional banking with digital wallet ecosystems. This integration could potentially reduce friction in global money movement while increasing financial inclusion. The use of ISO 20022 standards particularly enables richer data exchange, which may improve compliance processes and transaction tracking. As the pilot progresses, the partners will likely expand the service to additional markets and wallet providers.

Technology Integration and Compliance Considerations

The collaboration successfully combines Swift’s secure messaging network with Ant’s digital wallet expertise and Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure. This integration maintains strict compliance with international financial regulations while enhancing transaction efficiency. The partners have designed the system to accommodate evolving regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions, ensuring sustainable growth as the service expands globally.