Ant International and Citi Reshape SME Payments with PayTo

Ant International is collaborating with Citi to launch PayTo in Australia, positioning itself at the centre of a shift toward real-time, account-to-account payments in global trade.

The Singapore-based financial technology company is integrating PayTo into its Global Account Service in collaboration with Citi to overcome a persistent friction point for Australian exporters: slow, costly cross-border payments that constrain liquidity and growth.

Tackling SME cash flow challenges

Australia exported US$343.8bn in goods in 2025, yet nearly 80% of SMEs – key contributors to that figure, Ant International says – continue to face cash flow challenges. 

Ant International’s latest rollout is designed to address that imbalance by accelerating how funds move between domestic and international accounts.

At the core of the offering is WorldFirst – Ant International’s cross-border payments platform – which now enables clients to initiate real-time pull payments directly from Australian bank accounts via PayTo. 

Unlike traditional direct debit systems, PayTo allows for instant settlement and enhanced authorisation, reducing both delays and fraud risk.

Building real-time payment infrastructure

For SMEs, the implications are practical and immediate. 

Funds can be topped up into World Accounts in real time, 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. 

The infrastructure also reduces reliance on card networks, lowering fees and minimising chargeback exposure – two longstanding cost pressures for growing businesses.

The partnership with Citi plays a critical role in underpinning the service.

Acting as the initiator sponsor bank, Citi provides the regulated infrastructure required for PayTo participation, ensuring both compliance and operational resilience.

Jim Vrondas, General Manager of ANZ WorldFirst at Ant International, says: “As Australia’s financial infrastructure continues to evolve, we are proud to play a role in supporting innovative solutions for SMEs. 

“Drawing on our experience in cross-border payments, we see firsthand how critical cash flow is to their success – and we remain committed to working with Citi and other banking partners to bring more innovation to Australian SMEs.”

Beyond the mechanics of payments, Ant International is positioning the solution as part of a broader ecosystem play. 

Expanding a global fintech ecosystem

Ant International has a wider strategy to build an integrated, tech-driven financial services layer for SMEs operating across borders. 

Its Global Account Service combines blockchain-based infrastructure with AI-led tools for FX optimisation, risk management and operational efficiency.

Momentum is already visible in adjacent products. 

The company’s World Card, launched in Q4 2024, has seen rapid uptake, with transaction volume growing 440% in Q1 2026. 

The card allows businesses to spend directly from foreign currency balances, eliminating FX conversion fees and offering cashback incentives – further evidence of demand for flexible, cost-efficient financial tools.

The addition of PayTo strengthens this suite, particularly in a domestic Australian context where real-time payments infrastructure is maturing quickly. 

By embedding PayTo into its platform, Ant International is effectively bridging local payment innovation with global commerce needs.

“Our collaboration with Ant International helps solve a tangible payments challenge for many Australians and Australian SMEs,” Co-Head of Services for Citi Australia, Kirstin Renner, says.

“By combining our robust PayTo infrastructure with their innovative platform, we are directly solving for better cash flow and security. 

“This is a foundational step in modernising B2B payments and we are proud to be the banking partner powering this essential change.”