Ant International’s WorldFirst Launches World Card to Simplify Payment for Global Commerce

LONDON & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 16, 2025--

Ant International’s WorldFirst —an all-in-one digital cross-border payment and treasury account service for global businesses—has launched World Card, a Mastercard-enabled virtual card solution designed to help SMEs grow by simplifying global transactions and lowering operational costs.

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Small businesses stand to benefit from the e-commerce boom, where market size is projected to reach US$12.9 trillion in 2032 with a 13.65% CAGR 1. However, they also face a set of challenges to capitalise on the broad industry potential, including high entry barriers, rising operational costs, and fierce competition, a Deloitte-WorldFirst report has found 2.

Having empowered over one million SMEs to scale their businesses internationally, WorldFirst has partnered with Mastercard to develop for World Card the following customised features to enhance global operational efficiency for customers:

The World Card complements the comprehensive offerings on the World Account, the flagship product of WorldFirst offering global payment, collection, foreign exchange conversion, and treasury management from a single account.

2025 will see a full-scale rollout of the World Card to markets across Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa. World Card will also begin to support Apple Pay and Google Pay in the coming months.

A physical World Card is coming in 2025, enabling in-person transactions while serving as a backup when digital payments aren't possible. The physical card retains the digital version's benefits, including multi-currency support, cashback and security through unified platform management - while ensuring compatibility with chip-card POS terminals.

“With the launch of the World Card, WorldFirst and Mastercard are giving ambitious businesses a smarter way to manage spending. Today’s small businesses often have global ambitions, but outdated payment processes can hold them back. The new solution offers the ease, security, and international reach they need to scale without borders. Together, we’re helping them simplify operations, stay on top of spending, and expand into new markets,” says Jane Prokop, executive vice president and global head of small and medium enterprises at Mastercard.

“WorldFirst enables business growth by delivering solutions featuring global coverage, secure transactions and operational efficiency—essential foundations for SMEs’ success in today's digital economy. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Mastercard and industry leaders to pioneer innovative solutions like World Card, empowering SMEs and drive inclusive growth,” says Clara Shi, CEO of WorldFirst and vice president of Ant International.

WorldFirst is part of Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider offering a unified techfin platform to unlock next-gen commerce for all.

About WorldFirst

WorldFirst offers cross-border payments and treasury services through its global business account, empowering growth for SMEs in e-commerce, trade, and the broad platform economy. WorldFirst simplifies key financial operations, including international payments, collections, currency conversions, and treasury management, all in a one-stop account. Leveraging the technological strengths of its parent company Ant International, WorldFirst delivers industry-leading transaction security and reliability. WorldFirst has supported over one million customers, enabling payments in 100+ currencies across more than 200 countries and regions. Learn more about WorldFirst at https://www.worldfirst.com.

1Source: " E-Commerce Payment Market Forecast Report by Type, Application, Countries and Company Analysis 2024-2032" Research and Markets.
2Source: "Going-Global Seizing Next Great Opportunity in Digital Trade" Deloitte-WorldFirst.
*Terms and conditions apply, and may vary from region to region.

Users can pay with World Card for purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted, in 150+ currencies across 210+ countries and regions

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday beneath Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling, continuing an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican.

Later, speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff offered his blessing to all infants receiving the sacrament of baptism in these days, "in particular those born in difficult conditions of health or external danger.''

In his first baptismal ceremony as pope, Leo celebrated the Lord’s gift of faith to the children, saying that it gives sense to the gift of life.

“When we know something is essential, we immediately seek it for those we love. Who among us, in fact, would leave a newborn without clothing or nourishment, waiting for them to choose when they grow up how to dress and what to eat?'' the pontiff told the families gathered in the Sistine Chapel.

“Dearest ones, if food and clothing are necessary to live, faith is more than necessary, because with God, life finds salvation,’’ he said.

The pontiff personally administered the sacrament of baptism to the infants, who are the children of Vatican employees working at the Holy See. The parents approached the baptismal font placed within a bronze base representing the Tree of Life with the babies’ godparents and any siblings. The ceremony took place without tears and minimal fussing.

The celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan and was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. The event is depicted on the Sistine Chapel’s north wall in a fresco by Pietro Perugino.

During the ceremony, each father was given a candle representing the Christian light that “illuminates our path.”

“I wish you to continue with joy during the year that has just begun and for all of your life, certain that the Lord will always accompany your steps.’’

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithful listen to Pope Leo XIV's Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The lit Christmas tree is backdropped by the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)