Ant International Partners Google on Agent Payments Protocol
Ant International has partnered with Google to develop the Agent Payments Protocol, an open framework designed to enable AI agents to conduct transactions on behalf of users.
The Singapore-based payments company announced its role as a launch partner for the protocol on Tuesday.
The collaboration addresses infrastructure gaps that have emerged as AI agents increasingly handle commercial transactions.
Current payment systems operate through direct human interaction and cannot accommodate the authorisation, verification, and interoperability requirements that agent-to-agent transactions demand.
Google developed AP2 in collaboration with industry participants to establish standards for agentic payments.
The protocol defines core components for agent transactions and provides mechanisms to verify user intent, trace transactions, and establish accountability across the payment lifecycle.
Alternative payment methods integration
Ant International contributes expertise in alternative payment methods and connections to 36 digital wallets to develop APM-based protocols within the AP2 framework.
The company applies AI technology to identify fraudulent transactions and streamlines APM checkout processes as part of its contribution to the protocol development.
The company's payment mandate model links transaction parameters with verifiable intent evidence, providing a reference for protocols that require enhanced traceability, compliance, and dispute resolution capabilities.
This model serves as a practical implementation guide for other participants developing similar systems.
Ant International operates real-world applications of AP2 through its Alipay+ Voyager AI travel agent, launched in July for digital wallet and super app users.
The platform introduces multi-agent capabilities that allow sub-agents to book rides on ride-hailing platforms and process payments under AP2 compliance standards.
Expanding Google Cloud partnership
The AP2 collaboration extends Ant International's existing partnership with Google Cloud. In June, the company launched Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service platform that integrates with Vertex AI to enable fintechs and super apps to build AI-native financial services.
Ant International recently introduced its Model Context Protocol-based agentic payment solution, which combines APM checkout capabilities with its payment mandate model and AI technologies.
The solution targets secure and seamless checkout processes for agent-driven transactions.
China market expansion
Separately, Ant International has been appointed as an inaugural Foreign Institution Partner of China's Cross-border Interconnection Payment Gateway under guidance from the People's Bank of China and the Payment & Clearing Association of China.
The appointment provides direct connection capabilities for the CPG scheme.
The company operates as the largest participant in the CPG scheme by coverage, use cases, and business volume.
Alipay+ leverages the direct connection to expand its partner ecosystem and provide international consumers with access to 80 million Alipay merchants across China.
As a unified wallet gateway, Alipay+ partners with 36 e-wallets and eight national QR payment schemes, connecting over 100 million merchants to 1.8 billion consumer accounts.
The platform enables seven international bank card brands and users from twelve countries and regions to conduct scan-and-pay transactions in mainland China.
Government partnership strategy
Alipay+ has established partnerships with government-sponsored mobile payment schemes in emerging markets to support national digitalisation agendas.
Eight national QR schemes and payment systems develop international presence through Alipay+, including SGQR in Singapore, PayNet DuitNow in Malaysia, ZeroPay in South Korea, Bakong in Cambodia, NCHL/FonePay in Nepal, LankaPay in Sri Lanka, QRIS in Indonesia, and HUMO in Uzbekistan.
The Asia-Pacific region reported US$9.8tn in e-wallet transaction volume in 2023, representing nearly two-thirds of global volume while maintaining the highest e-wallet penetration rate globally.
“Ant International is excited to partner with Google to advance standards-setting in agentic payments, leveraging our expertise in APM payments and trusted AI innovations,” says Jiangming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer of Ant International.
“We are committed to working with global partners to shape the future of agentic commerce, where AI agents serve as trusted assistants for discovery, engagement, and transactions, powering merchant growth and transforming consumer experience.”
