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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial technology |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founders | Jonathan Quin & Nick Robinson |
| Headquarters | |
Key people |
|
| Parent | Ant International |
| Website | www |
WorldFirst is a global provider of cross-border payments and treasury services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).[1] It operates as a subsidiary of Ant International, using the group’s financial technology infrastructure.[2]
History
[edit]WorldFirst was founded in 2004 in the United Kingdom by Jonathan Quin and Nick Robinson with the aim of simplifying foreign-exchange processes for SMEs.[3] Between 2007 and 2008, the company launched its online platform and expanded through e-commerce and corporate FX services.[4]
WorldFirst began international expansion in 2009 with the opening of an office in Sydney, followed by additional offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, the Netherlands, Japan, and Korea between 2013 and 2016.[5]
In 2019, WorldFirst became a part of Ant Group (formerly Ant Financial) and expanded its services across Asia and other emerging markets.[6]
In 2024, Ant Group announced a reorganization of its operations,[7] with WorldFirst subsequently operating as a brand under one of its independently operated business units, Ant International.[8] In 2025, it further extended its presence in Southeast Asia by launching services in Thailand and secured its license in Malaysia.[6][9]
Products and services
[edit]WorldFirst provides global financial services unified in one global account.[10] Its branded offerings include World Account, WorldTrade, World Card, World FX.[11] The firm offers enterprise services with an AI-driven financial suite built for digital platforms operating across borders, and supports e-commerce and marketplace integrations.[12] It also integrates with multiple global e-marketplaces and supports local collections in multiple currencies.[13]
Key partnerships
[edit]WorldFirst has partnered with notable financial institutions including Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citibank, DBS Bank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, and Mastercard in rendering its services.[14][15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Thompsett, Louis (2025-04-17). "WorldFirst Unveils Virtual Card for Global SME Payments". fintechmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ Prokop, Jane. "Ant International's WorldFirst Launches World Card to Simplify Payment for Global Commerce". ffnews.com. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "World First: The former car-plate seller who is racing ahead in forex". standard.co.uk. 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst Expands Cross-Border Financial Solutions to Southeast Asia, Boosting SME Growth in E-commerce". sme.asia. 2023-11-15. Archived from the original on 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst transactions soar on SME global trade". theasset.com. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ a b "Ant International's WorldFirst gets approval to provide payment services in Malaysia". technode.global. 2025-08-08. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Ant Group's Global Unit Posts US$3 Billion Revenue Ahead of Planned Spinoff". fintechnews.sg. 2025-05-20. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Ant Group Expands Singapore Presence and Launches Ant International Foundation". thedigitalbanker.com. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Ant International's WorldFirst Reports 300% Transaction Growth in Emerging MarketsWorldFirst enters Thailand to strengthen SME cross-border payments". thedigitalbanker.com. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Ant Int'l's WorldFirst gains Malaysia licence to expand international payments". asianbankingandfinance.net. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst Looks to Build Trust in B2B Trade 'Through Digital Means' With WorldTrade". thefintechtimes.com. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst Launches Enterprise Payments Solution for Global Digital Platforms". fintechnews.sg. 2025-11-25. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "Ant International's WorldFirst Reports 300% Transaction Growth in Emerging Markets". fintechnews.sg. 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst Partners With Mastercard to Launch Virtual Card to Bolster SME Growth". thefintechtimes.com. 2025-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ^ "WorldFirst's Enhanced Bank Partnerships and AI Tools Fuel 300% Transaction Growth in Emerging Markets". via.ritzau.dk. 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2025-11-26.