UBS has formed a strategic partnership with Ant International to explore blockchain-based innovations for real-time cross-border settlement and liquidity management. The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Singapore on 17 November at UBS’s flagship office at 9 Penang Road. The collaboration aims to combine banking expertise and advanced financial technology to support next-generation global treasury operations.
Under the partnership, Ant International will adopt UBS Digital Cash, a blockchain-based payment platform launched as a pilot in 2024. The solution is positioned to support Ant International’s global treasury workflows through enhanced payment speed, security and transparency, while enabling UBS to refine and expand its cross-border solutions for corporate and institutional clients. Both companies will also explore tokenised deposit use cases to increase operational efficiency.
Real-time liquidity management across multiple markets
A core area of collaboration involves integrating Ant International’s proprietary blockchain-based Whale platform with UBS’s digital solutions to allow real-time, multi-currency fund movements across Ant International’s global entities. This unified treasury framework is designed to operate without dependence on traditional banking cut-off times, improving cash visibility, operational efficiency and liquidity utilisation.
UBS said the partnership builds on the momentum of its digital asset initiatives and reflects a shared ambition to modernise international payment infrastructure. Young Jin Yee, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head Singapore, stated that the partnership reinforces UBS’s commitment to delivering modern financial solutions through digital asset capabilities. She said the collaboration aims to create “a real-time, multi-currency payment solution that sets standards for transparency and efficiency”, and highlighted that it aligns with UBS’s broader mission of enhancing global financial accessibility for clients.
Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, said the company sees strong potential in partnering with UBS due to its blockchain track record and global banking presence. He said Ant International shares a belief in the impact that blockchain and tokenisation could have on future financial systems, noting the opportunity to combine Ant International’s technology with UBS’s industry expertise.
Expanding innovation and digital transformation goals
The collaboration underscores a joint focus on innovation, digital transformation and financial infrastructure modernisation. It supports UBS’s long-term strategy to expand its digital asset and treasury technology capabilities across global markets, while enabling Ant International to scale its next-generation treasury operations using institutional-grade blockchain integration.
UBS remains one of the world’s largest wealth management firms, managing 6.9 trillion dollars of invested assets as of the third quarter of 2025, with presence in over 50 markets. Its digital asset initiatives continue to form part of its broader effort to strengthen value creation through advisory, investment and technology-driven products.
