Boku opens innovation hub to streamline global payments

By Vriti Gothi

Boku has launched an Innovation Hub in Singapore, to reshape the future of global payments. The new facility will focus on developing advanced cross-border payment capabilities that address the operational and regulatory challenges faced by merchants worldwide. Leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and real-time foreign exchange (FX), the Hub aims to streamline international money movement and expand global access to seamless digital payment experiences.

With global payments projected to reach approximately $290 trillion by 2030, Boku’s Innovation Hub represents a strategic investment in removing friction across borders. The dedicated team in Singapore will build solutions that deliver faster, smarter, and more secure financial interactions for global merchants while strengthening Boku’s leadership in the payments technology space.

The evolution of consumer behaviour continues to redefine the payments landscape, with local payment methods (LPMs) now surpassing traditional card usage. Research by Boku in collaboration with Juniper Research reveals that LPMs overtook cards in 2025 and are expected to account for 59 per cent of global e-commerce transactions by 2028. This rapid shift expands merchants’ reach but introduces additional layers of complexity across disparate systems and compliance frameworks.

Singapore was chosen as the base for the Innovation Hub for its deep FinTech talent, progressive regulatory environment, and proximity to some of the world’s most dynamic payment ecosystems. The region has pioneered mobile-first payment adoption through platforms such as WeChat Pay, Alipay, GCash, and PayPay, which together serve billions of users. From its Singapore base, Boku will collaborate with regional FinTechs and merchants to design and test new payment capabilities that reduce cross-border complexity and enhance global acceptance.

“Merchants don’t just need more payment methods they need payment infrastructure that reduces complexity while expanding reach,” said Stuart Neal, CEO of Boku. “Payments have now moved beyond plastic, and the Innovation Hub lets us reflect that reality by prototyping against real merchant requirements, pressure-testing solutions in live markets, and accelerating the deployment of capabilities that directly impact the bottom line. Embedding our team in Singapore brings us closer to APAC customers and partners, which is central to Boku’s growth.”