UnionPay taps Worldpay to boost cross-border payments

By Vriti Gothi

UnionPay International (UPI) has extended its decade-long partnership with Worldpay, introducing UnionPay 3D Secure (3DS) and ExpressPay capabilities to expand global online acceptance for UnionPay cards. The enhancement will allow UnionPay cardholders to make eCommerce transactions across major markets, including the US, UK, and Europe, as well as sectors such as airlines, retail, and hospitality.

The move reflects continued efforts by global payment networks to meet rising cross-border eCommerce demand and improve transaction security. Integrating ExpressPay positions UnionPay as a fully supported global card network within Worldpay’s payments portfolio, offering merchants an additional option for serving international customers.

Worldpay, which maintains extensive POS and eCommerce coverage globally, said the update is aimed at strengthening both user experience and merchant conversion. “For over a decade, our partnership with UnionPay International has been driven by a shared commitment to enable a greater range of seamless and secure payment options,” said Nabil Manji, Head of FinTech Growth and Financial Partnerships at Worldpay. “With ExpressPay, UnionPay cardholders can enjoy faster online transactions, reducing checkout friction and boosting merchant conversion rates – all while maintaining top security.”

UPI said the collaboration supports its goal of broadening global acceptance through enhanced security frameworks and smoother checkout flows. “By combining our strengths, we can provide secure solutions like 3DS and ExpressPay for our mutual customers,” said Larry Wang, CEO of UnionPay International. He added that leveraging Worldpay’s global reach and merchant network “unlocks more opportunities for cardholders to pay the way they prefer.”

The partnership upgrade underscores how networks and processors are deepening cooperation to offer more frictionless, secure, and internationally accessible digital payment options amid continued growth in cross-border commerce.