WorldFirst secures Malaysia licence for SME payments

By Vriti Gothi

Ant International has received a Class A Money Services Business (MSB) licence from Bank Negara Malaysia, enabling its digital cross-border payments platform, WorldFirst, to operate in the Malaysian market.

The licence enhances WorldFirst’s ability to support local businesses with secure, compliant international payment solutions, and adds to its portfolio of over 60 licences worldwide.

The approval strengthens WorldFirst’s regional presence and marks a key milestone in Ant International’s strategy to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative, global-facing financial infrastructure. Tailored for businesses engaged in cross-border trade, WorldFirst enables efficient foreign currency collection, FX conversion, global payments, and treasury management through a single, integrated World Account.

With Malaysia identified as a high-potential digital trade market its e-commerce GMV projected to reach USD 25 billion by 2030 WorldFirst’s entry comes at a time of growing demand for multi-currency capabilities, faster settlement, and cost-effective FX solutions. Malaysian merchants are increasingly adopting diverse payment methods and seeking tools that enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

WorldFirst’s localised operations will focus on meeting these evolving needs. The World Account allows sellers to collect payments from over 130 global marketplaces, while enabling buyers to pay international suppliers with ease and speed.

The move aligns with Ant International’s broader investment in Malaysia, including the establishment of a Digital Business Centre to tap into local tech talent and drive regional innovation.

“The licence marks a significant milestone in WorldFirst’s commitment to Southeast Asia. More importantly, it enables us to better serve Southeast Asian SMEs with secure, compliant cross-border financial services while contributing to the region’s digital ecosystem,” said Clara Shi, Vice President of Ant International and CEO of WorldFirst.

As part of its global roadmap, WorldFirst also plans to introduce the World Card in Malaysia—an SME-focused payment solution developed in partnership with Mastercard, offering enhanced control over international spending and operational flexibility.