Aspire launches fast, low-cost international payments in Hong Kong, expanding partnership with Wise Platform

Powered by local rails, the partnership enables fast, low-cost transfers in more than 40 currencies.

HONG KONG, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspire, the leading all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses, is taking its mission to build a truly connected financial ecosystem further with the launch of fast, low-cost international payments in Hong Kong. Powered by Wise Platform, Wise's global payment infrastructure for banks and enterprises, the new integration enables customers to send money in more than 40 currencies, including to countries like Singapore, the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea — directly from the Aspire platform.

Building on a successful partnership that began in Singapore in 2019, Aspire is now extending its Wise Platform-powered cross-border payments experience to customers in Hong Kong, offering fast transfers and low transaction costs within the same interface they already use for payments, cards, and expense management.

"Cross-border payments are the backbone of global commerce, and for businesses in Hong Kong, speed and cost efficiency can make all the difference," said Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and Co-founder of Aspire. "By embedding Wise's infrastructure directly into Aspire, we've created a truly connected experience — where cards, payments, expenses, and global transfers all work seamlessly together. This expansion to our partnership is a major step toward our vision of building the most connected financial operating system for modern businesses."

"In a major hub, like Hong Kong, where companies operate across borders every day, offering a best in class cross-border experience is essential and a key requirement for any business looking for a financial partner. Aspire has been a key partner since 2019 and enabling them to expand and offer the same cross-border experience across their merchants demonstrates the value of Wise Platform. We're proud to be providing Aspire with the speed, transparency, and end-to-end payments control their customers expect from a partner," said Samarth Bansal, APAC General Manager, Wise Platform.

The partnership marks another milestone in Aspire's rapid growth in Hong Kong. Since launching in 2024, Aspire has recorded 3x growth, driven by startups and SMEs seeking a modern, connected alternative to traditional banking.

The new international payments feature is now live for all Aspire customers in Hong Kong.

About Aspire

Aspire is the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses globally, which has helped over 50,000 companies save time and money with international payments, treasury, expense, payable, and receivable management solutions - accessible via a single, user-friendly account. Headquartered in Singapore, Aspire has 500+ employees across nine countries, clients in 30+ markets and is backed by global top tier VCs, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Y-Combinator, Tencent and Paypal.

About Wise Platform

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. Over the last decade, Wise has built an entirely new network for the world's money.

Thanks to Wise Platform, banks and large companies can leverage Wise's technology and embed the best way to send, receive, and manage money internationally into their existing infrastructure. With a wide variety of partners worldwide, Wise Platform saves banks and businesses time and money by allowing them to seamlessly bring fast, cheap, transparent and convenient cross-border payments to their customers.

Powered by local rails, the partnership enables fast, low-cost transfers in more than 40 currencies.

HONG KONG, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspire, the leading all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses, is taking its mission to build a truly connected financial ecosystem further with the launch of fast, low-cost international payments in Hong Kong. Powered by Wise Platform, Wise's global payment infrastructure for banks and enterprises, the new integration enables customers to send money in more than 40 currencies, including to countries like Singapore, the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea — directly from the Aspire platform.

Building on a successful partnership that began in Singapore in 2019, Aspire is now extending its Wise Platform-powered cross-border payments experience to customers in Hong Kong, offering fast transfers and low transaction costs within the same interface they already use for payments, cards, and expense management.

"Cross-border payments are the backbone of global commerce, and for businesses in Hong Kong, speed and cost efficiency can make all the difference," said Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and Co-founder of Aspire. "By embedding Wise's infrastructure directly into Aspire, we've created a truly connected experience — where cards, payments, expenses, and global transfers all work seamlessly together. This expansion to our partnership is a major step toward our vision of building the most connected financial operating system for modern businesses."

"In a major hub, like Hong Kong, where companies operate across borders every day, offering a best in class cross-border experience is essential and a key requirement for any business looking for a financial partner. Aspire has been a key partner since 2019 and enabling them to expand and offer the same cross-border experience across their merchants demonstrates the value of Wise Platform. We're proud to be providing Aspire with the speed, transparency, and end-to-end payments control their customers expect from a partner," said Samarth Bansal, APAC General Manager, Wise Platform.

The partnership marks another milestone in Aspire's rapid growth in Hong Kong. Since launching in 2024, Aspire has recorded 3x growth, driven by startups and SMEs seeking a modern, connected alternative to traditional banking.

The new international payments feature is now live for all Aspire customers in Hong Kong.

About Aspire

Aspire is the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses globally, which has helped over 50,000 companies save time and money with international payments, treasury, expense, payable, and receivable management solutions - accessible via a single, user-friendly account. Headquartered in Singapore, Aspire has 500+ employees across nine countries, clients in 30+ markets and is backed by global top tier VCs, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Y-Combinator, Tencent and Paypal.

About Wise Platform

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. Over the last decade, Wise has built an entirely new network for the world's money.

Thanks to Wise Platform, banks and large companies can leverage Wise's technology and embed the best way to send, receive, and manage money internationally into their existing infrastructure. With a wide variety of partners worldwide, Wise Platform saves banks and businesses time and money by allowing them to seamlessly bring fast, cheap, transparent and convenient cross-border payments to their customers.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Aspire launches fast, low-cost international payments in Hong Kong, expanding partnership with Wise Platform

SINGAPORE, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is teaming up with two-time Grammy-winning artist, composer, and producer Laufey to delight fans and ardent travellers in Asia Pacific. The Icelandic-Chinese singer, who recently clinched Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 68th Grammy Awards, will star in Visa's upcoming "Be the Traveler You Want to Be" campaign that celebrates the magic of travel, especially among Gen Zs.

As part of the partnership, Visa will be the Official Payment Partner for Laufey: A Matter of Time Tour happening across Asia Pacific, starting 12 May in Hong Kong and finishing in Auckland on 12 August. Visa cardholders will enjoy exclusive early access to tickets for the tour through the Visa Presale on selected ticketing platforms, with Visa Infinite cardholders of participating Visa card issuers in selected markets enjoying earliest possible access (Refer to Appendix for all Visa Infinite and Visa Presale timings, platforms, and details).

In the coming months, Laufey will star in bespoke films on Visa's brand channels that spotlight her love for travel through her favourite memories and places in Asia Pacific and around the world. Fans of Laufey – known as Lauvers – can also look forward to exclusive content with her on Visa's official platforms.

Laufey said, "I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Visa for the A Matter of Time Tour, and to showcase the joy of travel across Asia. My songs come straight from my heart and reflect who I am, what I feel, and how I make music. I feel deeply connected to Asia, and this partnership brings me closer to a region that has given me so much and inspired me in so many ways. I can't wait to be back with my fans across the continent."

Danielle Jin, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific at Visa said, "Laufey is a genuine one-of-a-kind artist who is reinventing jazz for a new generation of fans and music lovers around the world. Her determination to light her own path echoes Visa's belief that success comes from the power of small steps – it is the daily dedication in chasing our passions that define success. Laufey's unique brand of music is a cultural force, and Visa is putting fans at the heart of this by enabling seamless and secure payments on our network – allowing them to be the Lauver they want to be."

Visa champions the moments that bring fans closer to the passions they love, from sports and music to fashion and entertainment. Guided by a fan-first approach to partnerships, Visa designs experiences that deepen connection and make participation seamless, secure and accessible for audiences around the world. Through high impact partnerships, Visa helps shape cultural moments while enabling effortless, cross-border commerce. Visa's partnership with Laufey builds on Visa-supported musician residencies — an ongoing commitment to creating intimate, meaningful experiences that bring fans closer to the artists they love.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. 

APPENDIX

Details for Visa and Visa Infinite Presales for Laufey: A Matter of Time tour in Asia Pacific