Ant International Deepens Payment and Digitalisation Ecosystem with AI-Driven Embedded Finance Solutions in Year of Transformation

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024--

With a series of organisational and strategic upgrades in 2024, Ant International, a leading global digital payment and financial technology provider, reported robust growth over the past year among all its four pillar businesses, Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst and Embedded Finance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205425502/en/

Alipay+ expanded its vibrant wallet-based payment and digitalisation space that further strengthens WorldFirst and Antom, the two business fintech services. The new Embedded Finance segment deepens Ant International's ecosystem by offering a rich array of FX, treasury management, inclusive lending and other AI-powered fintech solutions to clients and partners across the other three main businesses.

“2024 has been a transformative year for Ant International,” said Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International. “We are committed to advance inclusive growth through AI-powered innovation and collaboration on cross-border travel, trade, commerce and inclusive finance.”

Based in Singapore, Ant International provides partners across industries and markets a comprehensive range of digital payment and financial technology solutions. It is committed to driving inclusive growth through open collaboration and continuous innovation.

Among Ant International's notable progresses in 2024 so far:

Alipay+: Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digitalisation technology solutions.

Alipay+ builds a broader digital payment and digitalisation ecosystem for other pillar businesses of Ant International.

Antom: a leading merchant payment and digitisation services provider, offering one-stop, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to merchants of all sizes.

WorldFirst: a one-stop digital payment and financial services platform for global businesses.

Under Embedded Finance, our Credit Tech and Platform Tech teams leverage cutting-edge AI and blockchain technologies to innovate secure, end-to-end embedded finance solutions to clients and partners across Alipay+, Antom and WorldFirst businesses, ranging from risk-modelling, cross-border settlement, FX and liquidity management, to credit and lending services for underserved SMEs and individuals.

Through collaborative innovation with global financial institutions, we leverage blockchain technology to provide 24/7 real-time cross-border settlement serviceability to our global business and clients. In 2024, the blockchain solution supported over one third of Ant International's total processing volume.

“In 2025, we will continue to be laser-focused on supporting SMEs across borders with AI-powered innovative and trusted payment, digitalisation, and inclusive financing solutions through expanded public- and private-sector collaboration,” said Yang.

About Ant International
Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)